Advantages of Concrete Floor Covering

Concrete floor covering is the most basic form of floor covering. Before installing any other floor remodeling plan, many people have concrete floor covering. Contractors recommend Concrete floor covering in the beginning (just after construction) to let all the structure dry and become stable. Only after that, people remodel their floor with the floor installations like wood, resilient, carpet and tiles.

Concrete floor covering is also done as remodeling of the house. You may realize that no other type of floor suits your taste and purpose. You can contact a contractor and discuss your needs to get the best flooring done. Technically, concrete floor covering is the strongest and resistant towards any kind of activity. You can customize the designs as well, if you wish variety in that. Contractors can help you in determining the color and nature of concrete floor coverings. The Contractors are a reliable group because they are licensed, bounded and insured.

The best use of concrete floors is made in industries where there are machinery vibrations and heavy traffic flow. Contractors can give technical aids like elevation and rough surfaces to extend the life of concrete floor coverings. You can also install concrete floor covering in your lawn as pavements as they are weather resistant. Concrete floor coverings may not be that attractive as wooden or resilient but you can put temporary carpets occasionally.

concrete floor covering | exterior concrete coating | industrial coatings

Concrete Coating Solutions

Most everyone that ever had anything to do with concrete knows that it has a wear and tear problem, it is a part of the natural aging of concrete, but what most people don't know is that this problem can be solved, and sometimes the result can be much better and nicer than ever before. When concrete starts to chip and flake it can be a real eyesore. There is literally tons of concrete that is ripped up and discarded into various landfills every year, yet most of this concrete is still in good structural shape. There are certain exceptions, but most of the visible damage is cracking, and it can be restored with amazing results. The answer to this cosmetic damage is concrete coating. Concrete coating is the natural answer to the aging problems of concrete.

There are various types of concrete coating, each offering different finishes of the final product. The cracks are initially filled, a simple procedure, and then the chipping of flaking (also known as spalling) are removed. Finally a concrete coating is applied to the existing concrete, resulting in a beautiful finish that also resists the corrosive effects of weather. Concrete coating is both strong and durable, lasting years longer than traditional concrete. It is comprised of a unique blend of acrylics and cements resulting in an appealing finish. This procedure of concrete coating allows you to perform a make over to your concrete and upgrade the way your concrete surface.

Another thing that is very important in dealing and maintaining concrete is that concrete coating wouldn't mean that you have to put in more time and energy into cleaning. Concrete coating is also easy to maintain and proper maintenance can extend the life of the concrete even longer. Maintenance requires pressure washing and simple resealing about every two to three years, depending on the amount of traffic wear and tear. Salt doesn't affect the coating material and most stains can be easily washed off. Of course one should always be careful when using a snow shovel to not damage the coating. If you use your common sense and experience there is no reason why you shouldn't enjoy your new concrete coating for a long time, this is really an investment that pays itself in years.

Concrete coating is not only for the outdoors, it is a great solution for any concrete surface, if you want to change the look of your tired, cracked concrete - in a driveway, by the pool, or even indoors - there are many different types of concrete coatings coming in a wide variety of colors. There is even a slip resistant coating available for swimming pools, which really adds safety to the area. Basically any sound surface can be a candidate for coating.

Find out more about concrete coating, it is an amazing way of keeping concrete surfaces and many people find that this is a perfect solution to a tired looking, aging concrete surface.

Acrylic Concrete Stain - Applying The Coating

If you are interested in applying a coating on your concrete surfaces for protection and ascetics you can't go wrong with an acrylic. Unlike other products, an acrylic concrete stain is not susceptible to degradation by UV radiation from the sun nor from "hot tire pickup" which is caused when you park a car with hot tires on a surface that has not been properly cured.

The first step to the application is the cleaning of the floor. You should of course remove all the dirt and grime with a good quality detergent. Also, be sure all mildew and rust have been removed. If the concrete surface is in the garage or driveway then be sure any petroleum stains have been removed completely with a good degreaser. Also, if the concrete is new it may have a clear coat which needs to be etched with a weak muriatic acid solution.

Once the floor is prepped be sure it is completely dry before applying the acrylic or any other floor coating for that matter. If the floor is in the basement or garage then a space heater works great to evaporate the moisture. If it is outside then you really want to do this process when the weather is warm or hot and dry. Usually you need to wait 24 hours to be sure all the moisture has evaporated.

When you get ready to apply the coating, mix it up just like you would paint. Start by using a brush to apply the acrylic to all the hard to reach places like in the corners and around the edges. Next, using a short to medium nap roller, apply the rest of the coating to the floor. You want to be sure to make all your brush or roller strokes in the same direction because after about three hours you are going to apply a second coat perpendicular to the first. By alternating the directions of the strokes you are assured that you get full coverage of the acrylic stain.

>The nest step is apply an acrylic concrete sealer over the floor. This will help to protect your new floor surface and will also bring out the color of the stain and improve its durability. Be sure the coating is completely dry before you apply the sealer or you will not be happy with the results. The best way to apply the sealer is with a pump sprayer because it allows for a complete covering. Be careful of over spray though and you may want to mask off the walls. If you don't have a sprayer or if you can deal with the over spray mess then you can use a roller. One coat is usually adequate for interior floors but exterior concrete surfaces require two coats as they usually have more traffic.

acrylic concrete coating | concrete coating products | concrete driveway coatings

New Exterior Self-Leveling Concrete-Underlayment and Topping For Spalled, Damaged Concrete

Now a new exterior self-leveling Portland cement-based topping and under-layment for fast-track resurfacing and smoothing. Makes spalled or damaged concrete look like new.

Product Capabilities for this new self leveling concrete under-layment and topping.

Can be used for exterior and interior applications over concrete, porous tile and certain non-porous surfaces when properly prepared - on, above or below grade. can be sealed to create a concrete wear surface for commercial, light industrial and residential applications including;

• Concrete sidewalk repairs
• Concrete patios / porches
• Concrete driveway repairs
• Concrete decks / balconies
• Concrete loading docks
• Concrete plazas
• Concrete parking garages
• Plus many more applications

It can also be used as an under-layment for finish flooring, as well as on permanently wet areas and under moisture remediation systems such as a Moisture Control System.

Installs from 1/4" to 3/4" in one application, and up to 2" with the addition of appropriate aggregate. Pourable or pump-able when mixed with water. Seeks its own level and produces a smooth, flat, hard surface. Hardens quickly and dries fast without shrinking, cracking or spalling.

Benefits:

• Portland cement based
• Walk on in 2 to 3 hours
• Freeze - thaw resistant
• Installs at 1/4" - 3/4" neat up to 2" with aggregate
• Completely water resistant
• Exterior or interior applications
• On, above or below grade
• For use under Moisture Control systems

Use this self leveling floor compound to level, smooth and correct patio and garage floors with excess grade, up to 2 in. with the correct aggregate.

Can be sealed with a clear sealer.

• Integral colored with liquid or powdered pigments
• Sealed with a pigmented color sealer to create a decorative concrete wear surface
• Applied over a economical electric radiant concrete floor heating system

For commercial, light industrial and residential applications including...

• Storage rooms
• Work shops
• Parking garages

It will produce a flat, smooth, cementitious surface. it is always recommended that exterior wear surfaces be sealed with an appropriate sealer and subsequently maintained to provide the longest service life possible. If a reduced-slip resistant surface is required, it can be a obtained by using a concrete dressing and then a broom finish, or by incorporating a grit into the selected sealer.

If you have an exterior or interior concrete surface that you would like to provide a new, smooth and level, or a self leveling cement application, to cover your spalled, damaged, old, cracked or stained surfaces, if you have a concrete surface that needs to be brought back to life, visit our website and use the form provided to request an on site consultation and free estimate from our factory trained professionals.

Paul Spurlock is recognized as a professional in the flooring industry with 34 years experience as a commercial flooring contractor. Installations include hospitals, high schools, retail outlets, judicial centers, medical clinics and high end luxury condos, With factory training by Ardex Engineered Cements and Specialty Concrete products.

Self leveling under-layments and toppings are a specialty. We have experience in large installations (like Barnes and Noble Virginia Beech Virginia) where we installed up to 28,000 sq.ft. of self leveling underlayment with a pump and many smaller projects like retail outlets (Sephora @ West Town Mall Knoxville Tn.), medical clinics projects like ( fort Sanders Professional building Knoxville Tn.)

concrete spalling repair | concrete floor coatings | industrial floor coatings

New Marketing Approach for Industrial Flooring Products

A kit-based approach to selling epoxy floor coatings is now being used to target both industrial and home users. These all-in-one kits have been developed with the recognition that people want to buy solutions not products. This outcome-based concept ensures that all of the goals for the floor are met and that all of the required tools are available during the installation. To compensate for lack of training and for the inevitable unexpected questions and problems, a complimentary 24/7 help line is provided along with the kit so applicators can be assured of staying on track.

The process of obtaining a custom-built kit starts with filling out a web-based, free cost analysis form. The floor's condition, the owner's preferences, and the desired outcome are factored in by an automated computer system. From that point, field technicians prepare a recommended kit of materials and step-by-step instructions tailored to take the project from beginning to end.

This "kit" approach stands in contrast to the alternative of shopping at local retail stores for supplies which, if they can be found, often don't match the needs of the project. When a handle for a roller frame is needed, should it be 4 ft., 5 ft., or 6 ft. in length? Should it have a metal or wood thread? Should it have a 1-inch diameter or 1-¼ inch diameter? If a 60-grit sanding screen for a 17-inch rotary scrubber is required, where can it be purchased? The custom kit concept allows the decades of professional experience of the supplier to be applied to the project so that every tool is precisely matched to getting each specific task completed efficiently and painlessly. Experts replace the untrained and inexperienced store clerks.

By marketing "kits," floor coating suppliers are helping fuel the trend of moving away from bare concrete and wood surfaces toward lower cost, lower maintenance, and healthier floor finishes. Biohazards, mildew, dust mites, spoors, and other contaminants are a serious concern to industry and homeowners alike. In this new millennium, warehouses, food processors, manufacturing facilities, even garages, and basements are being sealed with hard surfaces using industry-proven materials and techniques adopted in the past decade.

Chemically resistant, these seamless floors are made of epoxy and urethane, finishes that flow on and then, by changing their chemistry, become resistant to dirt and stains. Flow-coated surfaces are impervious to water and are often used inside liquid storage tanks, swimming pools, and feed troughs. Unlike tile, these surfaces have no grout to clean and are not glued down with latex- or petroleum-based adhesives. Flow-coated surfaces are great adhesives in themselves. With good preparation, flow-coated surfaces are applied permanently, refinished easily, and require little or no maintenance.

Harvey Chichester is a principal of Durall Industrial Flooring, a company with more than 40 years experience in developing special flow-coatings for industrial and residential floors. For 15 years, he has overseen product development and field testing for the company. He has personally directed the installation or restoration of more than 6,000 floors.

concrete floor covering | concrete floor restoration | concrete resurfacing

Epoxy Floor Coatings - Surpassing Garage Floor Coatings

Glancing at the house or office as you drive past, you probably see and overlook your garage. Does it because it does not reflect your style and sophistication? You wish to fix-up your garage to fit your personal style, but wonder how your garage can gain too much attention so much that visitors are often left awestruck seeing its beauty and care. The modern man prides himself on his garage and understands that the appearance and condition of floor are an immediate indication of quality, morale, cleanliness, and the positive image you wish to present to others.

Then, how one should avoid making their garage as a thrown away room? Epoxy Floor coatings are sturdy and long lasting solutions for any surface. Such coatings provide an ultimate protection and decorative versatility to the floor. As in comparison to the bare concrete floors, epoxy concrete floors require nominal maintenance and offer improved resistance to stains, corrosion and cracks.

So why wasting your time scrubbing, cleaning or refinishing your garage when epoxy coating can protect your garage against spilling and chipping of any variety? It is the most economical, aesthetically and pleasing way to enhance the beauty of a plain gray concrete garage floor doing wonders for the appeal of your garage. There's practically no reason that your garage should remain a dingy and unpleasant place. A seamless floor coating like an epoxy minimizes the need to constantly making repairs and clean up the floor. In lieu of a total remodeling, an epoxy coating if applied to your concrete floor spruces up your old ugly looking garage hiding minor imperfections and increases resiliency to stains.

Epoxy coatings do an excellent job, be it for floors or otherwise. There are various types of epoxy coatings, each prepared for a particular type of treatment and application. Yet they all have a few common characteristics -high resistance to chemicals, extremely durable, high bond strength low porosity, and other chemicals like oils or greases can't seep through them so easily. Irrespective of its characteristics, the paint has to be applied in a professional manner to get the surprising results. The better the floor operation, the better you can expect the results. The floor should be devoid of dust, dirt or debris. Unless the floor is absolutely clean, the paint will not deliver the expected results.

Epoxy floor materials have all the characteristics making it favorite for improving the dependability and looks of any garage floor. There are other coatings that give similar effect to your floor but epoxy are easy to install, durable, cost effective, and surpass garage floor epoxy coating on many levels.

Wish to see your garage shiny with the impeccable appearance, and the easy cleanup? You must consult a professional company Outstanding Floor Group LLC for your garage or for other complete flooring needs. Whether you need industrial flooring for a few square feet to a million square feet, Outstanding Floor Group will meet your industrial flooring demands.

concrete floor refinishing | concrete driveway resurfacing | concrete floor covering

A Guide to Concrete Floor Coatings Selection

To select the best industrial concrete floor coatings for your facility, the first thing to c0onsider is the criteria to be used in your selection. Nearly all types of flooring requirements can be addressed by various industrial concrete floor coatings systems. Identify the requirements for your specific floors, which can be any of the following:

1. For repair and protection. Many floor coatings options cater to floor maintenance, repairing damaged surfaces, and offer protection from various types of floor abuses, such as chemical spills, abrasive impacts or physical loads, to name a few.

2. For quality performance and durability. Industrial concrete floor coatings contractors can install high-performance floors that last for long periods of time. The thickness of coatings used, plus the type of coating product applied, can vary the strength and durability of installed floor coatings systems.

3. For beautifying drab-looking floors. Industrial concrete floor coatings can transform floors in any areas of the facility -- employee lounge, shop floors, loading bays, among others.

4. For cheaper and practical floor solutions. When you're after a minimum amount of expenditure for your industrial floor project, this is possible with industrial concrete floor coatings that are less expensive but still perform well, fitting your budget and project requirements at the same time.

Concrete Coatings for Floor Repair

When signs of floor damage appear, facility managers should waste no time in replacing the industrial concrete floor coating system. Putting off the work will result to negative consequences such as:

1. Unsafe floorings that may lead to potential accidents for building occupants, due to uneven floors, low-friction or non-skid-resistant surfaces.

2. Dirty-looking floors despite constant cleaning.

3. Unhygienic floors that encourage the growth of harmful bacteria lodging in difficult-to-clean floor cracks.

4. Worsen floor damage as time goes by.

Epoxy-based fillers may be applied to level the holes and remove unevenness in surfaces. For deep cracks, sand or quart-mixed epoxy fillers will have to be used fill the bottom. For hairline cracks, sanding will remove coating unevenness and blend the edges to make banish the crack. In cases of large cracks, repairing the floor foundation is necessary before any coating system can be installed.

Concrete Coatings for Floor Make-Over

Industrial concrete floor coatings transform facility floors back to their original look. You can choose from any of the following, based on your unique requirements:

1. Glossy coatings. Clear epoxy gloss is standard choice for floor beautifications. The colorless formulation can hide tiny floor imperfections.

2. Satin coats. Shark-grips mixed in industrial concrete floor coating lend a rough texture to the floor, leaving the top coat with a satin sheen that hides minor damages, and makes for easy-to-clean and skid-resistant surfaces.

3. Colored chips. Multi-hued chips applied on still-wet top coats can enhance the look of floors. The chips are broadcasted in measured amounts and certain distances from each batch, or applied using a pail with holes in the bottom, to achieve the right chip density and appearance on the surface.

The choice of the most appropriate coating product has to be a careful balance of monetary considerations and practical or functional requirements.

When cost is the biggest factor in coatings selection, facility managers must remember to insist on quality and good performance. Cost-savings that sacrifice quality is useless, due to further repairs and rework needed in the future.

concrete floor repair | concrete floor coatings | concrete floor resurfacing

Resurface Concrete - Don't Remove and Replace It

Concrete is a durable surface. It is made with natural materials and withstands many years of wear and tear of hard use. The Romans made it 2,000 years ago and used it to build their extensive road system using sand, aggregate, lime, water and animal blood.

Although concrete is durable, it does over time, show erosion and degeneration. However, it does not necessarily need to be removed and replaced. It can be resurfaced.

Thin resurfacing can make an old damaged concrete look almost new without having to tear the surface out and re-pour. This is a real savings in labor and materials, especially when it comes to repairing roads. The citizens enjoy a new road surface in much less time and using fewer tax dollars than if the road were to be replaced.

The homeowner will often find that a patio, basement floor or garage floor need resurfacing. Recent developments in resurfacing materials now offer a truly durable, stain resistant, crack filling resurfacing mix of epoxies and aggregate. The surface dries very quickly and is ready to use in a fraction of the time traditional mix is ready. In a high traffic area this is a big asset.

Resurfacing concrete rather than removing or replacing it can often offer the opportunity to enhance the existing floor with an exciting new decorative concrete finish. It can be stamped, colored and stained and polished to look like marble, terra cotta stone and even stenciled.

As with most things, the cost for resurfacing done by a contractor can have a broad range. If the plain unenhanced gray concrete is used, it can run a little more than $2 a square foot. When decorative finishes are added, or the existing surface requires a great deal of prep work before resurfacing, the cost could range from $4 to $8.

To save money, the do-it-yourselfer may consider doing it his or herself. It is not considered difficult and significant savings can be realized with some work. The owner could get a surface that looks brand new for the cost of a power washer rental, some inexpensive tools and containers of resurfacing material. A patio, for instance, can take about 1 hour for every 5 feet. Of course, the time it takes to prepare the surface is variable. Some of basic tools that will be needed would be a container to mix the water and resurfacing mix, a mortar trowel, a float is optional and a stiff broom to rough the surface to make it non-slip. Renting a power washer is recommended, as is protective clothing and goggles.

Reading further on the subject, especially about curing and mixing will help familiarize you with what to look for and expect.

Overall, the process for resurfacing any surface from a patio, garage or basement floor, to a counter top is as follows:

Measure the area to be resurfaced. You will need this information to know how many bags of concrete mix you will need to do the job.

Choose a concrete product that is meant to be used for resurfacing. It is best to choose a concrete mix that has a proper mix of Portland cement, sand, and additives that will work best as a resurfacing material for repairing basically sound concrete.

Mask areas that need to be kept clean, including the control joints. This can be done with something like duct tape.

Cleaning the surface is critical. Renting a power washer to clean the area will do the job well.

The next step is mixing the concrete following the directions on the bag. Using a wheelbarrow works well. Following the directions for the product, add water in increments until the consistency is not thick, but thin enough to spread well.

Wet the patio surface before applying the concrete. The surface needs to be wet, but without standing water.

Shovel the concrete onto the patio and spread it out with a masonry trowel. If the resurfacing has to be very smooth, simply run a concrete float over the surface while the concrete is still wet. This practical only when working in one small area at a time, as the concrete hardens quickly.

Running a broom over the surface while it's wet will make it more slip-resistant.

Keep all foot traffic off the fresh concrete for at least 6 hours. Check your product for the expected drying times. More time is needed if the temperature is cool. Covering the surface with plastic could help it to cure without cracks.

road resurfacing | pavement repair | concrete surface repair

Minor Road Defects, Major Damage

For most people, things like potholes and cracked pavement are nothing more than minor annoyances that cause a brief jolt as you drive over them. However, these minor road defects can actually present serious problems, and they can cause major damage to both your vehicle and your body.

First, it is natural for roads to slowly degrade due to the wear and tear of traffic as well as the natural effects of erosion. However, road construction crews can take steps to help maintain the integrity of a road. Building a stable road base and properly laying the asphalt can both make a road last longer. Additionally, municipalities have the responsibility of ordering any road repairs that may be necessary in the community.

As roads break down, they can develop problems like potholes, uneven pavement, and steep should drop-offs. Potholes occur when cracks develop in the asphalt. As precipitation like rain and snow make their way into the cracks, freezing temperatures can cause the water to expand, weakening the surrounding pavement. Over time, this forms a depression called a pothole. When you drive over the pothole, the sudden jolt can damage your tires, shock absorption system, and any parts that hang beneath the car. Additionally, it can knock your car out of alignment, making it more difficult for you to drive. The bounce itself can result in whiplash for you and your passengers.

Next, as asphalt settles at different rates, it can result in uneven patches of pavement marked by long cracks in the surface, or even invisible chances with long, shallow depressions in the asphalt. Like potholes, these are caused by the sinking of the road. As you go over uneven pavement, your car can suffer from the same problems as with potholes.

Lastly, steep shoulder-drops have proven deadly. If you pull over onto the shoulder, a drop-off of only three inches can present a danger. The sharp edge of the asphalt can tear into your tire, leading to a blowout and rollover accident. If your tires make it through the transition, it is still easy to lose control when you go over a shoulder drop-off. As you try to pull your car back onto the higher road level, you may need extra force to maneuver your vehicle. However, as you suddenly pop back up onto the road, you can be pointed into the other lane.

Even minor road problems like potholes can lead to major problems with both your vehicle and your safety. If you have been hurt by a flawed roadway, you may be entitled to financial compensation to help you with your car repairs or any medical bills that have resulted from your accident.

road repairs | road repair material | road repair and maintenance

Pothole Repair Guide

Potholes are ubiquitous. From parking lots to driveways, from asphalt pavements to highways, these are found everywhere. Changing weather, large amount of snow fall, repeated freeze-thaw cycles only add more misery by causing them more frequently and in big sizes.

How are potholes created?

Cracks are common in driveways and roads and are caused due to heavy traffic volume and soil stabilization issues. Moisture penetrates into these cracks and when it freezes during the cold months, the cracks expand. These expanded cracks force dirt and gravel out and when coupled with melting of ice, the stressed asphalt disintegrates to form a pothole.

How to repair potholes?

Potholes can be repaired using asphalt patching material. Asphalt patching products are of two types - cold asphalt and hot asphalt. Both have their own benefits and problems but cold asphalt proves to be a better solution for repairing potholes due to ease of use, handling, compaction and longer life. Though high performance cold mix asphalt costs more than the hot mix, over a period of time due to its sustainability, it proves to be the economic option.

Cold Asphalt or Hot Asphalt for pothole repair?

Hot Asphalt, as the name suggests is mixed at a high temperature, at about 300 F. All the steps of a pothole repair exercise too, are performed at high temperature. This becomes a serious limitation in frigid temperature conditions when the asphalt surface usually becomes so cold that hot mix cannot be applied properly.

Cold Asphalt is the correct solution for these lower temperatures and is mixed at lower temperatures. Cold asphalt is less viscous than hot asphalt and is compact and easy to use. Cold Asphalt usually offers serious benefits of being easier to use and manage and at the same time looks exactly like hot asphalt mix.

Pothole repair can be an easy process, if adopted correctly with the right service material. Patching of potholes with cold mix asphalt can mean longevity and rescue from the process of repeated mixing, cleaning, pouring and compaction.

road repair | road maintenance | highway maintenance