If you are a Calgary homeowner or business owner, you’ve likely dealt with unsightly oil stains in your driveway, garage pad, or parking lot. These dark, stubborn stains not only decrease curb appeal, but they can also cause erosion of the concrete beneath. To stop this from happening, an oil leak on a concrete driveway is something you want to take care of right away.
For this post, we’ve rounded up some of the best ways to remove oil stains from concrete to help you get your driveway, garage pad, or parking lot clean and looking its best.
When the spill is still wet
If you can attack the oil spill while it’s still wet, it will be easier to remove completely. This, of course, requires that you consistently clean and check your concrete for any oil spills that have recently occurred.
When the oil spill is still wet, the best way to deal with it is to cover the stain with an absorbent that will soak up the oil. Cat litter, baking soda, dirt, cornmeal, and cornstarch will all do the trick, so use whichever of these you have on hand. The important thing is to use one of these absorbents before the oil has a chance to penetrate the concrete.
When the spill has dried
Once the spill has dried – either from the use of absorbents or over time – you’ll want to remove the stain that remains on the concrete. If you’ve used an absorbent, sweep up whatever you’ve used completely, then wet the remaining stain with water. If you haven’t used an absorbent and the stain was allowed to dry, you’ll still need to start by spraying it with water to thoroughly wet the stain.
Once it is wet, use a stiff brush or broom to scrub the area with a paste made of baking soda and water. You can also create a paste with powdered laundry detergent and water. If you don’t have either of these on hand, dish detergent with grease-fighting ingredients (Dawn is a great one) can be used.
After scrubbing the area thoroughly with a brush or broom and whatever grease-cutting agent you use, spray the area again, preferably with a high-powered hose or pressure washer.
Repeat cleaning process
Depending on how long it has been sitting and the condition of your concrete, many oil leaks on a concrete driveway or garage pad will require additional cleaning after the first try, so expect the need for multiple applications of whatever cleaning agent you use. In some cases, letting a cleaning agent sit overnight might be your best bet.
If you are unable to completely remove the stain, it’s best to have a professional who knows concrete work in Calgary to take care of it for you. At TNA Concrete, we have over 27 years of experience in the concrete industry and know how to safely remove stubborn oil stains that can reduce a home or business’s curb appeal. Call us today to speak with a concrete professional and discuss how we can help.
When the oil spill is still wet, the best way to deal with it is to cover the stain with an absorbent that will soak up the oil. Cat litter, baking soda, dirt, cornmeal, and cornstarch will all do the trick, so use whichever of these you have on hand. The important thing is to use one of these absorbents before the oil has a chance to penetrate the concrete.