Option Three: Removal & Replacement

Removal & Replacement means, money, time and resources. Yes, in some cases this will be your only option because of high deterioration of the concrete slab, poor substrate, poor drainage, incorrect concrete pour, or structural failure.

This is Exactly why I say call me to get your concrete sealed it ROTS from the inside out, and may not be noticed for a few years but when it starts happening its to LATE!!

Call for a FREE Estimate!!

Rick LaFata
(573)-216-0930
rick@customconcretedesign.info
Custom Concrete Design

Option Two: No Overlay

Stain or Dye? Acid-Based Stain does more than simply add color. Rather than produce a solid, opaque effect like paint or colored coatings, stains permeate the concrete to infuse it with rich, deep, translucent tones. Stains react chemically with the calcium hydroxide in concrete. If the concrete is exterior and the surface of calcium hydroxide has been worn away, then a thin overlay can be applied to achieve a great look. Stains are more marbling and translucent then most dyes. Stains also leave a residue which has to be cleaned thoroughly and dried thoroughly before the sealer application.

Dyes are the latest buzz in the decorative concrete community. Their ease of use, extensive palette, and vibrancy of color are creating a wave of popularity that is gaining momentum. Dyes are nonreactive and impart color by penetrating concrete. Dyes are much smaller in particle size than chemical stains, thus allowing for easier penetration and color saturation while leaving less residue on the surface. The small dye particles fill the pores of the concrete and are very hard to remove, making dyes nearly as permanent as stains. Because there is virtually no residue, minimal cleanup is required, greatly speeding the application process. Solvent-based dyes tend to be more monotone and uniform in color. The downside to dyes is that they penetrate very fast, leaving little room for error during application. Also, they are not UV stable, so most manufacturers recommend indoor use only.

Rick LaFata
(573)-216-0930
rick@customconcretedesign.info
Custom Concrete Design

Concrete

There are 3 options for Concrete Restoration:

• Overlay
  No Overlay
  Removal & Replacement

For Today’s Blog Post I talk about just the first option

Option One: Overlay

Decorative Concrete Overlay has been given many terms/names such as Decorative Concrete, Concrete Overlay, Concrete Coating, Decorative Flooring Stamped Concrete Overlay, Skim Coat and Epoxy Flooring. The overlay will permanently cover up surface imperfections on existing concrete. With today’s decorative overlays, it’s easy to give almost any concrete surface, indoors or out, a complete face-lift and at a much lower cost than removal and replacement.

There are multiple options available for achieving any look imaginable with a concrete overlay. Custom Concrete Design’s Concrete Overlays/ Polymer Cement Overlays consist of a proprietary blend of Portland cements, 20 various aggregates and proprietary hybrid polymer resins. Unlike conventional cement and concrete mixes, Concrete Overlays can be applied in layers as thin as a credit card or up to several inches thick without DE-laminating or failure. The overlay creates a chemical and mechanical bond with the substrate.
Overlays are great for many concrete surfaces, including:

• Garages
• Walkways
• Front Stoop
• Vertical Walls
• Warehouses
• Basements
• Pools
• Decks
• Patios
• Loading Docks
• Restaurants
• Driveways

And More!

They adhere well to existing concrete and resist damage from salt, chemicals, UV exposure, freeze-thaw conditions, and abrasion. They are much stronger than regular concrete and are used to resurface existing concrete. Overlays can be created in almost any color, pattern or texture. Sealed which protects them from salts, stains, grease and wear.

Come back to my Blog soon and I will talk about the other two options.

Call me at 573-216-0930 and get your FREE Estimate today!!

Rick LaFata
(573)-216-0930
rick@customconcretedesign.info
Custom Concrete Design

Ok here’s the Club House down by the lake at Emerald Bay Condo’s, had to pull up the wood floors, then start grinding the wood glue, after that we got it all cleaned up and started the concrete overlay process.

Put on a Few Base Coats of Choc, let it dry, then laid out the 45 degree 20×20 tile pattern, added the top coats in a light Beige color, the second coat was the texture coat.

Prepped it all with Plastic to get it ready for the 2 color Acid staining Process.

Once Dry I locked it all down with 3 coats of our Premium Sealer.

The problem is applying sealers to decorative concrete in extreme
temperatures. Both air and surface temperatureplay a role, but surface
temperature is typically more critical. After application, sealers undergo a
chemical reaction that causes them to cure and form a film. Temperature
plays a critical role. The best temperature range for applying sealers is 50
to 90 degrees

F. That 40-degree window is really not very big, especially when you’re working outside. This is why monitoring weather conditions
and looking at a thermometer should be mandatory before every sealer ap-application. Here’s what can happen if temperatures are too low or too high.

Low temperature – Every sealer has a minimum film forming temperature
(MFT). Most manufacturers specify 50 F minimum temperature to apply
sealers. If the temperature is at or slightly below the MFT, the chemistry of
the sealer is affected, the reaction slows down, and you get partial to no
film development. Bottom line: The sealer is weak and will not hold up very
long. If the temperature is really cold, film development stops altogether
and all you are left with is a white powder on the surface after the (solvent
or water) evaporates.

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