It is almost impossible to keep oil stains from appearing on a concrete driveway, no matter how hard you try to prevent them. There are a few different ways that these stains may be removed, but the approach used will depend on the magnitude of the oil spill and the amount of time that has passed since the stain was first introduced.
All Natural Removal
If the spill is still relatively new, put a generous amount of cat litter over the damaged section of your concrete driveway using a brush with nylon bristles to ensure that it is distributed evenly. It is best to let the litter at least an hour to absorb the liquid before using it. In addition, you might try soaking the affected area in a solution made of baking soda or dishwashing soap. First, prepare the area by sprinkling it with a generous amount of baking soda or dishwashing soap and allowing it to sit for a few minutes while you bring a big pot of water to a boil. The surface should be wetted down just lightly. After the water has reached a boil, pour it over the affected region and scrub it with a brush that has firm bristles. When you are completed, remove any remaining soap residue with water, and then perform the procedure as many times as required to attain the desired results.
Tips:
- If you have concrete driveway, you should avoid using brushes with metal bristles since they might scratch the surface of the road and leave rust stains if the bristles become lodged in the driveway.
- In the event of a spill, always have a bag of kitty litter or baking soda in the garage.
If the oil spill on your concrete driveway is not too old, you should be able to erase or at least lessen the appearance of the stain by using a pressure washer with a medium to the heavy-duty setting. First, use a cleanser designed for industrial use to the oil stain, and then scrapes the stain with a brush or broom. After that, continue spraying with your pressure washer after adding detergent to it. To eliminate the possibility of streaking in the concrete, proceed at a steady speed and maintain a constant distance between the nozzle and the surface of the material at all times. To get the greatest results, you should let the detergent rest on the area for five to ten minutes before washing it off.
Tip:
- Adding bleach to your pressure washer is not recommended since it may cause some of the parts to become damaged.
Chemical Removers
If the stains on your concrete driveway are very stubborn, you may want to try using a concrete oil remover that is specifically designed for industrial use. These degreasers are highly concentrated alkaline soap that works by separating the oil from the concrete, making it much simpler to remove. The difficulty with these treatments, however, is that they are not very effective at cleaning up large spills or spills that have been left to sit for a significant amount of time. A poultice is an excellent therapy that may also be used on smaller, more persistent stains. A poultice is made by combining an absorbent substance, such as cat litter, with a powerful solvent, such as acetone, and then smearing the mixture on top of the stain. After that, the mixture is wrapped in plastic while the substance extracts the stain from the concrete.
Tips:
- When dealing with chemicals, be sure to protect yourself by wearing protective clothes and glasses, keeping young children and pets away from the area, and having the phone number for poison control readily available in case of any incidents.
- If you have an older stain, you can attempt removing it using TSP (trisodium phosphate) or paint thinner like turpentine.