What if my concrete is blemished, pitted or spalled? Interior or exterior concrete in less than perfect condition can be resurfaced:
o Skim Coat ? A very thin layer of concrete hand trowel onto the existing concrete surface. Concrete must structurally be in good condition as this overlay in only millimeters thin. Coloration can be included in the concrete mix, or applied through a regular staining process.
o Polymer Overlay ? Usually applied at ¼? thick. Excellent for resurfacing slightly damaged concrete, leveling low spots, or raising a slab height to the level of other surrounding flooring. Overlay can take foot traffic in 24 hours and can be scored and stained just like a regular slab. Interior only.
o Spray Decking ? A sprayed on cement product. Usually applied on exterior surfaces. Concrete is pre-colored and can be stamped or toweled.
o Concrete Cap ? Sometimes plain, old concrete is the best product to resurface with. Since concrete contains aggregates (rocks), the minimum depth of a redi-mix concrete overlay must be at least 1-1/2? thick. This type of overlay is great for resurfacing exterior patios, or raising slabs. Once hardened the concrete can receive any decorative effect desired.
Can exterior concrete be stained? Yes, stained concrete is a great option either as an update to, or for a freshly laid pool surround, porch, path, or even the driveway. The final stained surface can be finished with a slip resistant exterior sealer to protect the final colored surface.
Does the finish of the concrete matter when you stain or seal concrete? Since stain actually penetrates the concrete surface and reacts with chemicals inherent to concrete, the finish of the concrete does not impede the staining process. For a uniform seal, a rougher (broom) finished surface will require additional applications of the sealer due to the increased porosity of the surface.
What do you do with cracks in the concrete foundation? Depending on the depth and frequency of cracks, some can be repaired, but it should be remembered that cracks are naturally created expansion/contraction joints and repair will not eliminate the need for the joint. If a natural crack is filled and patched, to eliminate the chance of this area re-cracking, it may be necessary to create a relief for future concrete movement through a predetermined cut through the concrete slab.
Am I limited to staining only concrete floors? No, concrete can be custom poured as tiles for walking paths, backsplashes, or even decorative plaques. Larger pours can be completed for concrete counter tops, as enhancements for patio furniture, or for custom concrete design requests - all of these and any other concrete surface can be stained and or scored. In addition, items can be introduced into the wet concrete to add an element of surprise or just enhance the appearance of the finished concrete.
Aren't concrete floors cold? No, no colder than tile floors. Considering most concrete slabs are poured over a raised dirt platform to provide a level foundation, the additional dirt also helps to buffer the concrete slab from being directly on the ground. The feel of the surface in the colder months is no different than tile.
How does radiant heating in the floor affect the concrete? Concrete is obviously a wonderful conductor of the radiant heat generated in a floor. Radiant floor heat is one of the most effective methods of heating a home, and creative a decorative surface on the base concrete slab eliminates any interference in the disbursement of heat through the slab.
How do I maintain the finish of my concrete floor? Residential - depending on the final finish, most floors only require occasional damp mopping, and periodic reapplication of the finishing wax. Commercial - finishes will require reapplication of wax more often based on the volume of foot traffic. A polished concrete surface will generally require semi-annual to annual re-polishing.
