Laser cleaning of concrete stairwells

Concrete stairwells in older apartment complexes can look severely soiled after decades of use. Caked-on dirt, outdated coatings, stains from leakage — the substrate is anything but even.

Laser cleaning is a technique increasingly used in such situations as preparation for renovation. How such a concrete staircase in an owners' association (VvE) is then renovated is found in renovating prefab concrete VvE stairs.

What is laser cleaning?

Laser cleaning uses a concentrated beam of light to remove soiling, coatings and deposits from a substrate. The material is heated and evaporates or detaches — without damaging the underlying substrate.

Advantages compared to traditional sanding or chemical cleaning:

• No abrasive material that damages the concrete.
• No chemicals that penetrate the concrete.
• Precision — only the soiling is removed.
• Suitable for complex geometries and hard-to-reach corners.

When is laser cleaning relevant in stair renovation?

Laser cleaning is particularly relevant when:

• The concrete tread is heavily affected by dirt, grease or outdated coatings.
• A previous stair finish has been removed but residues of adhesive or primer remain.
• The adhesion of the new finish would otherwise be insufficient.

EverStep Solid requires an adhesion strength of >4.0 N/mm² in accordance with EN 1542. If the substrate cannot deliver that adhesion strength without pre-treatment, laser cleaning is an option to consider.

Why the existing concrete core is often retained is covered in why existing concrete stairs are often retained.

Is laser cleaning always necessary?

No. In many cases regular mechanical cleaning and levelling of the substrate is sufficient. A selected installer with system knowledge assesses on site whether additional pre-treatment is needed.

The broader context for VvE and commercial stairwells is found in stair renovation for owners' associations and commercial buildings.

What are the costs of laser cleaning?

Laser cleaning is a specialist service and requires a higher investment than standard cleaning. The added value lies in the quality of the substrate after treatment — and therefore in the adhesion and lifespan of the stair renovation.