Concrete Coating How 2

Archive for the ‘Choosing and Buying’ Category

Stained concrete floors provide a unique and elegant surface, which reduces allergies and is easy to clean. Many architects are using stained concrete in businesses, and residential homes as well as for patios. Unlike dull gray concrete used for walkways, and driveways, these floors are rich in color with a waxy sheen.

Stained concrete floors are durable, decorative, and a unique kind of floor covering. That with daily mopping keeps down dust, allergens, and bacteria. In addition, area rugs can be used just as you would for hardwood or ceramic tile flooring. Concrete stains are available in countless earth-tone shades. However, the outcome of the hue can’t be guaranteed due to the complex stages of acid staining concrete. The process brings out any natural variances, textures, and veining, which are often found in concrete. However, several designers incorporate these into the actual design pattern, making it more unique and one-of-a-kind. Because staining is neither a dye nor an application of paint, these organic patterns add elegance to the flooring.

With a stained concrete floor, you can create the look of marble tiles, terra cotta, hardwood inlays, or slate slabs. You can even give your hallways or staircase landings a dramatic flair, with a circular medallion. Once you’ve completed the staining process, the floor is sealed with a thick coat of wax and polished to a rich, warm, glowing shin.

Concrete doesn’t have to stay dull and gray any more. You can change the appearance of the concrete around your home your driveways, walkways, basement, walls, and floors etc. You can paint or satin your concrete, whether it is inside or outside your home. Which method you choose will depend greatly on the current condition of the concrete and the desired look that you want to achieve.

Staining:

Concrete stain is similar to wood stain in that it penetrates the surface, providing a long-lasting, durable and very attractive finish for both interior and exterior concrete as well as other masonry surfaces. The stain actually bonds with concrete and masonry, forming a durable shield, which unlike paint will not fade, peel, or flake. To add even more protection to the concrete surface and extend the life of the stain, you can apply a clear stain as a final topcoat. However, because stains are more transparent than paint, they do not completely cover up or hide imperfections in the concrete. Many homeowners as well as architects, many times incorporate these imperfections into the patter or design in the finish. Concrete stains are available in a wide variety of colors, which will both enhance and protect any concrete walkway, patio, or indoor floor.

Painting:

Painting is a better choice if you need to create a more solid look, or conceal any imperfections. Painting is also a better choice for such areas as basements, and laundry rooms where you can purchase paints that provide waterproofing as well as mildew resistance. One such product is WaterTite, which combines waterproofing resin and Portland cement to produce a coating that will withstand up to 34lbs psi of water pressure. In addition, WaterTite also contains a mildewcide that will prevent the growth of mold and mildew for approximately 5 years. This and similar products can be used as both a paint and as a primer.

Coatings adhere better to concrete when it has a rough, sandpaper-like surface, which can be achieved either by mechanical preparation or by acid etching. The following are some factors, which may affect the decision on which method to use:

Local ecological restrictions that prohibit the use of acids or other chemical methods The hardness of the concrete dictates a more aggressive means of surface preparation. Acid etching is better to prepare surfaces for thin film coating systems. Acid etching: Always add acid to water, never add water to acid, in addition always wear personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, rubber gloves, and boots. Follow all manufacture’s instructions on the product label.

Mechanical preparation: Removes all dirt, oil, previous coatings, hardeners, sealers, etc. through the use of mechanical methods including sand blasting, vacuum blasting, and scarifies.

Whether you use acid etching, or mechanical preparation it should expose a clean, sound, opened, and roughened surface ready to receive the epoxy coating.

Concrete is cost-effective, sturdy, and versatile, which is why it is increasing in popularity in both commercial and residential use. Today, concrete is no longer dull and gray, but vivid with elaborate textures, colors and patterns, making it perfect for countertops, columns, decorative pillars, and beautiful floors for lobbies.

Concrete coatings are a necessity, whether it is used for decoration, protection, or a combination of both. The fact is concrete coatings and decorative finishes will enhance any concrete surfaces in such ways that it impart style, and increase the longevity of the surface.

However, due to all the new products and techniques, which are available, there has been some confusion about different coating characteristics as well as attributes about certain products.

Many people wrongly refer to all concrete products as coatings, rather they are speaking about acid-etch stains, color admixtures, concrete etching, or concrete overlays. Many of these products are in fact coloring process, which produces a chemical reaction when they come in contact with the cement surface.

Water-based concrete stains are usually composed of acrylic resins. These stains are not technically coatings. However, they do behave as coatings as they do not react chemically with the cement surface. Water-based concrete stains instead they deeply penetrate into the concrete’s surface. These products colorize and protect both vertical and horizontal concrete surfaces from harmful elements.

Water-based acrylics are resistant to fading and abrasion. In addition, these products can be applied using stencils to create unique designs and geometric effects. They are much easier to use and apply than chemically reactive stains and clean up with soap and water. Another advantage is that water-based acrylics have very low volatile organic compound (VOC) content.

Another misconception is that when you coat concrete, moisture already present in the concrete is trapped, and ultimately causes the coating to fail. This however, can occur if the concrete has not cured properly. Coatings do seal porous surfaces, thus protecting the concrete surface from water penetration and damage, yet newer sealants are highly permeable from the substrate side. This then allows moisture present in the concrete to vapor and eliminates the possibility of blistering, peeling, and delamination associated with many concrete coatings. These new coatings are applied just as you would paint.

Available in a wide range of colors, these elastomeric concrete coatings are applied in a thick coating, which enhances the surface of the concrete by concealing hairline cracks, patches, and other imperfections, while providing protection from the elements, even in coastal or severe-weather environments.

When applying concrete coatings always carefully read and follow the individual manufacturer’s instructions. Most coatings, stains, and sealants cannot be applied to ‘hot’ masonry surfaces however, there are some primers, and topcoats, which can be applied within a few days of curing. These coatings provide the perfect solution to conflicting construction schedules that resulted from inclement weather or other problems. Many of these primers and topcoats can successfully be used on surfaces with pH levels from 6-13 and are available in a wide range of pastel and deep-base shades.

Concrete block fillers provide a perfect means for preparing the rough and uneven profile of the concrete block surface. These coatings noticeably augment the surface of the concrete by offering a secure, uniform foundation by filling pores, voids, and pinholes, oftentimes with a single coat. Today’s new lightweight concrete block surfacers are unlike their predecessors as they backroll faster and effortlessly, saving time on application. These products build a solid barrier between the topcoat and the substrate, which prevents pH burn.

You should not directly topcoated chalky concrete, however with the use of concrete conditioning products, chalky concrete can be topcoated. These conditioning products deeply penetrate the masonry substrates securing the chalky surfaces and establishing a stable base to support a lasting finish coats. These products can be used on new construction, as a penetrating sealer. In addition, these products prevent topcoat delamination and alkali burn. In many instances, these conditioners can serve as an inexpensive alternative to the use of primers.

Although conditioners can help prepare concrete surfaces for top coating, before any coating is applied, there are several steps that need to be taken to assure a proper bond. The reason why most coatings fail is not because of improper application, but instead of inadequate preparation. In order for a coating to properly adhere to any concrete surface, that surface has to clean, dry, and free of surface major defects such as cracks or spalling. Many times small hairline cracks are incorporated into the floor’s design. In addition, the surface has to have a slightly rough profile equivalent to that of a piece of 120-grit sandpaper.

Once the concrete has been profiled, you want to clean it thoroughly removing any grease, oil, dirt, old paint, and other contaminants. You want to ensure that you use the methods recommended by the coating manufacturer so that you do not use any chemicals that will interferer with the adhesion of the coating you plan to use. It is vial that the concrete surface is prepared properly so that it is compatible with the specific coatings you will be applying. The most recommended methods of cleaning concrete include pebble blasting, power washing, acid etching, and cleaning with a commercial concrete cleaning agent.

When deciding which resurfacing system to choose, here are a few simple questions you need to ask in order to find a system that will best serve your needs.

What is the condition of the existing surface?
If the concrete has a lot of cracks or gouges or if the surface is not level then it would be best if you selected a higher-build material, such as a self-leveling product. A stampable overlay, which is applied at a 1/4-inch or greater thickness, would also be good.

If the concrete contains too much moisture then you should use a permeable overlay system, which will allow the moisture vapor to escape.

What type of conditions will the overlay be exposed?
The topping or overlay system you select has to be durable enough to withstand all elements and conditions it will be exposed to such as extreme temperatures, weather,
chemical, grease, dirt, or oil. Most coatings will withstand wear, however other systems are more suited to withstand chemical spills and dirt penetration as well as harsh weather. For aggressive environments, materials containing aggregates will perform better in these harsh conditions.

How difficult is it to mix and apply the product?
Generally, the most difficult part of applying any coating or overlay is the preparation. However, with some products, all you need to add is water while others require mixing
other dry ingredients as well as the polymer additive and desired pigmentation. In addition, several overlays can be applied directly on properly prepared surfaces, while others require the use of a primer or bonding agent. Pourable and self-leveling systems usually cover surfaces quicker and with less finishing work than troweled or sprayed applications.

How much maintenance is required?
Sealed surfaces are simpler to clean and many times they only require routine sweeping and occasional damp mopping with a mild detergent. However, some overlay manufacturers
recommend that the surfaces be resealed annually.