Special tools are used to effectively renew the concrete and give it a lustrous finish. Sealants can be applied, which will protect the underlying surface from water and oil stains which would quickly damage unprotected concrete. If your large industrial building surfaces are crumbling, broken and have very uneven surfaces then concrete repair is the only way to restore concrete to its original condition.

Concrete restoration can eliminate cleaning and sealing issues, and stabilize a building foundation in the process. Fixing broken or cracked concrete can increase the resale value of your property and save you thousands of dollars in future structural repair. Cracks will form over time in concrete, and it is difficult to predict when or where they will show up. Cracks can appear due to stress fractures, water damage, heavy loads and heavy use.

It is recommended that they be repaired as soon as they are noticed, so that they will not expand. One small crack can cause water damage, erosion and moisture penetration. Movement and structural cracks are another problem that can be fixed through concrete restoration. Deteriorated or pitted surfaces can be remedied with a special based polymer mortar, which can also help to repair delaminated and spalled surfaces.

If you need a concrete job done in a hurry, then a Perma-Patch can be applied, which will set in about 15 to 20 minutes, and allow light traffic in about an hour.

If any troubles with your concrete arise or a just a deep cleaning is needed contact us to help you make your concrete look like it was just poured.

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Special power cleaning tools are used to efficiently restore the concrete. Then a sealant can be applied, which will protect the concrete surface from water and oil stains, which would absorb in unprotected concrete.

In certain extreme circumstances concrete repair is the only way to restore concrete to its original condition, and you should consult a professional to help fix the concrete surface.

Concrete restoration can help with cleaning and sealing problems, as well as stabilizing a building foundation and fixing broken or cracked concrete. One common problem with concrete is that cracks will often form from stress fractures, improper construction, water damage or heavy use.

We recommended that cracks and breakage be repaired as soon as they are noticed, so that they will not expand and become a much larger problem. One small crack can cause water damage, structural erosion and moisture penetration.

Movement and structural cracks are another problem that can be fixed through proper concrete restoration. Deteriorated, deformed or pitted surfaces can be remedied with a compound based polymer mortar, which will repair delaminated and spalled
surfaces.

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Types of Concrete Restoration

• Outer building repairs involve structural stabilization and replacement of damaged components. Due to water infiltration or damage from the environment, we must remove the facing surfaces and decking materials from the structure, stabilize the steel framework tying the structure to the building, and replacing the surfaces with new material.
• Shotcrete can be used for concrete repair. Shotcrete is concrete combined with compressed air, pumped through a hose at high pressure, and applied to the final surface. The force of the air consolidates the mixture on the surface, causing it to harden.
• Polymer-modified concrete mortar can repair concrete with the addition of plasticizers to traditional mortar. The additives increase mechanical performance of the mortars and improve adhesion, extend allowable working times and improve workability in hot weather. These mortars offer improved chemical resistance, higher chemical flow, increased flexibility and increased compressive and tensile strength.
• Concrete Demolition, the removal of damaged or undesired concrete is required when the concrete is unsalvageable and done with a jackhammer, or other pneumatic equipment.
• Parking structure repairs involve repairs to both the deck surface and to overhead concrete structures that are damaged. Parking lot areas are typically affected by by water infiltration, structural damage or exposure to melting agents.
•   Traffic coatings in highly used areas protect concrete surfaces from damage caused by vehicles, machinery or pedestrian traffic. Concrete coatings are made from an epoxy base and seal moisture and damaging materials from leaking in.
• Concrete structures are reinforced by rebar or structural steel, but if the concrete skin has been damaged we may need to to replace the steel substructure. If the building has been built with minimal steel in the structure, an anchoring system to stabilize the building will need to be built.
•   Cementitious coatings are comprised of Portland cement and a vermiculite or perlite premix. This results in a protective coating that is fire resistant and is applied to steel or concrete surfaces while a structure is under construction.
• Facade repairs: If there is damaged, spalled or degrading concrete from the surfaces of a structure, this material will need to be replaced. The process is to stabilize the repair site, fill g any voids or cracks with new material, and formulate the filling to match the color and texture of the existing concrete material. Facade repairs demand the creation of customized forms to allow for replication of details that were cast in place.
• Concrete sealing closes the porous surface of concrete and makes it impervious to moisture and damaging substances. Sealing concrete will protect it from gasoline, oils, excessive water and caustic salts.

Finding an experienced concrete restoration firm that   provides  a solid estimate for the repair work will ensure these changes happen smoothly. We have a complete list of  qualified references and can provide a yearly maintenance plan for post restoration upkeep.

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Basics of Acid Concrete Staining

Stained concrete floors are found in stores, restaurants, homes, patios, hotels, among other places, and is highly cost-effective. Many homeowners have had their concrete patios stained, either with solid colors or a mottled look, but recently the trend has moved indoors to basements and garages. The versatility of concrete is the main reason for its popularity.
Concrete can be molded or shaped into any form or pattern, which means it isn’t limited to only basements, garages, and sidewalks. Kitchen remodeling projects might find a countertop of stained concrete a more durable, artful and cost-effective material than granite or laminate. Coffee tables and even dining room tables are now being made of concrete.

A concrete surface can be lightly smoothed or heavily brushed; swirled or scored; tinted or painted into artistic patterns. It is the new pallet for the modern home and garden. Concrete stains are the new paint.

Concrete is very porous, much like wood, and it often already has stains from vehicle oils and fluids, small spills, water, rust, and the like, all of which can be covered, or enhanced, with an acid stain. The best part is that with existing discoloration, the stain will give a patch of concrete that marbled, patina appearance. No matter how discolored the concrete, the current blemishes will only add to the character of the finished coat. Application hazards—like brush marks or uneven distribution—blend right in with the marbling effect of concrete floor stain.

The Advantages of Stained Concrete

• Stains can even cover up cracks in concrete.
• Materials and labor are cheaper than other coverings.
• It won’t fade or need replacement.
• It can’t be scratched or broken.
• It is easy for a second owner to cover if they do not like the stain.

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Repair Instructions

1. Wash the surface with soap detergent and water then scrub your driveway with a push broom and allow to dry completely.

2. Fill cracks or holes with clean construction grade sand and level all surfaces.

3. Mix quick drying cement in a plastic bucket and stir to an even consistency.

4. Apply the cement mix to the cracks and holes and use a trowel to push the mixture deep into all blemishes.

5. Even out the new concrete with a surfacer and spread the extra cement along the edges of each deep crack to blend with the old concrete. Then allow your work to dry for at least 12 hours.

6. Seal the concrete with a professional concrete sealant to provide a moisture lock and prevent staining. Evenly spread the sealant chemicals with a push broom.

If the cracks in your driveway are very deep, fill them with a mixture of sand, and ready mix concrete. It is very important to use sealer after doing repair work as
further cracking will occur without sealing.

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To add creativity to concrete projects, homeowners can utilize the skills of a decorative concrete contractor and a concrete company to ensure that their designs are exactly what they wanted. Decorative concrete contractors are able to utilize different materials and ideas in creative ways to generate interesting ideas with endless possibilities for concrete resurfacing, special concrete coatings, or concrete overlays.

You can have the exterior of your home appear like an English cobblestone street, an old world slate paving stone appearance, natural stone work, an elaborate brickwork appearance, or a geometric modern design. We can help you create realistic designs with advanced decorative concrete techniques and preview these designs with our CAD building software.

New polyurethane concrete stamps enable homeowners to create molds which mimic many kinds of natural and organic designs.

Decorative concrete is available for swimming pools, driveways, and patios with concrete resurfacing. We can help you choose the right concrete overlay for your project and create a computer simulation of what it will look like when installed.

Concrete Overlays are a good choice for beautification and restoration work. The product is a thin overlay applied as a broom finish to rejuvenate a worn out cracking driveway to give it a brand new look and enhance the existing dull concrete surface.

Concrete Overlays have an advantage because that they can be applied over an existing horizontal concrete surface to create a new look, only limited by your imagination. Overlays have unlimited variations of color and texture and can be stamped, squeegeed smooth, troweled, sprayed, and broom finished.

Overlays have been available for 30 years, and come in many forms: thin resurfacers, self levelers, stamp mixes and Microtops. Each Form has its own application method which allows the concrete contractor to be creative with the final presented design.

If you have expensive tastes but a tight budget, we can help you create interior designs using concrete overlays which exude luxury and have a high quality appearance.

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 Here are the Steps to Install a Concrete Countertop

1. Make sure your counter top can support concrete.  Before you begin anything, make sure the counter top you have constructed can support concrete, which can weigh between 12 and 22 pounds per square foot.  If the carpenter determines yours can’t, attach 3/4″ plywood sheets to the top of your cabinets.
2. Transfer the templates.  This is actually a fairly tricky process by itself.  Basically, you’ll want to make sure the overhang is between 1/2″ and 3/4″.  Ensure that you mark the locations of seams and overhanging edges on your template.  Seams should be placed every  eight feet maximum to ensure cracking does not occur.
3. Construct the mold.  Cut out the sides and bottom of the mold with a table saw.  The length of each side of the mold should measure the length of the bottom plus 2-3/4″.Be sure to pre-drill all holes and place screws near each corner.
4. Seal and create edges.  Place blue painter’s on either side of each seam at the bottom and edges of the mold.  This helps create a uniform beveled edge.  Caulk using 100% silicone along all seams.  Prepare the worktable for pouring concrete while the silicone dries. Make sure it is perfectly level all ways.  Clean the mold you created thoroughly of any dust.
5. Mix concrete and cut steel mesh. Allow your supplier to calculate the amount of concrete you need to pour.  Mix up the concrete per manufacturer recommendation.  Clean your steel mesh thoroughly with acetone or denatured alcohol.  Add steel mesh to your counter top, which adds strength and assists in preventing cracking.
6. Pour concrete and set the mesh.  Now, pour your concrete into the molds you constructed. Spread it evenly throughout the mold.  When the mold is about half full, place the mesh within the concrete.
7. Remove the mold and clean, sand, and seal the counter top.  Simply reverse the process you used to construct the mold.  Use a 10 part water to 1 part muriatic acid mixture to clean the concrete.  Sand the surface beginning with 120-grit sandpaper, then 180, and finally 220.  Use clean water to remove excess dust.  Finally, seal the counter top with a white rag saturated with sealer.  Allow the sealer to dry.
8. Install your counter top.  Check to make sure your counter top is level.  If it’s not, make small shims to create a perfectly level surface.  Secure your counter top to the cabinet with large puddles of caulk approximately 4-6 inches apart.  Caulk all seams.  Use a concrete cleaning solution made of mild detergent and water and avoid using ammonia.

Finally, make sure to enjoy your new concrete counter top!  It’s a great excuse to have a party to show off how resourceful, environmental and unique your new kitchen is. You could be the envy of the neighborhood as your neighbors see how inexpensive and easy it is to install and maintain this feature.

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For wheelchair-bound people, ADA requires ramps to be constructed.  They don’t necessarily have to be constructed from concrete, but many are.  If you are curious how this process works, or if you are a contractor with a project that requires ADA certification, we have step by step fabrication instructions and the regulations guiding the actual construction of the ramp.

Instructions For Building an ADA Compliant Wheelchair Ramp

1. Ramp regulations.  Before you begin constructing the ramp, know the minimum regulations yours must follow.  At minimum, a ramp must be 36 inches wide, have edge protection to prevent people from slipping or falling off, have landings at top and bottom that are as wide as the ramp and at least 60 inches long, must have handrails on both sides if the rise is greater than 6 inches or if length is longer than 72 inches, and also must have slip-resistant and stable surfaces, as well as cross-slopes with a rise of 1 unit for every 12 units of run maximum.
2. Choose your building materials.  Concrete is the most expensive material for building a ramp, but works great for ramps that will be permanent.  Alternative materials you might use include wood, steel, or aluminum.  In this case, of course, we’ll be discussing construction with concrete.
3. Planning.  First, measure the area where the ramp will be constructed.  You’ll remember from the guidelines before that the ramp must be at least 36 inches wide and cannot have a  slope greater than 1:12.  As you measure, use stakes and string to mark the width of the ramp.  Finally, measure the height of the ramp and determine how long the ramp will have to be, keeping in mind the maximum ratio of 1:12 for slope.
4. Create the forms.  Cut wood planks to create the forms.  Typically, your planks should be 2x6s.  You’ll need to place stakes around the form to provide extra insurance the concrete will hold in place.  Remember to cut the top level of the form work to stay in line with the 1:12 slope.  Place rebar inside of the form.  3/8″ rebar spaced 6 inches apart works well for providing additional strength and reducing cracks.  Be sure to tie the rebar together with wire.
5. Pour the concrete.  Now that your forms are all set up, it’s time to pour the concrete.  Mix it as recommended by the manufacturer, and pour it out, beginning with the deepest part of the ramp first.  Vibrate the concrete to remove any air bubbles.
6. Complete the ramp.  Trowel the concrete smooth.  Use a medium-bristle broom to create lines on the concrete.  This helps create texture, which allows you to comply with the ADA guideline stipulating your ramp must do everything it can to reduce the risk of people slipping.  Finally, remove the form work once the concrete has hardened.

That’s how you add an ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp to a concrete walkway.  Believe it or not, there still are some businesses out there who do not comply with the law, as well as private residences who still have the need.

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No longer should your office, shop or warehouse have bare concrete floors. Without a custom surface, concrete floors break down, and create unsanitary dust. Exposed unsealed concrete flooring is not watertight and allows chemicals to leach through to discolor and damage the concrete.

Instead use industrial floor sealing to protect your concrete flooring. Epoxy coatings seal the concrete floor from degradation and stop dust formation. Chemical resistant resin concrete floors stop toxins from soaking through the floor and allow for much easier cleaning and maintenance.

Polished concrete, stained concrete, and commercial floor tile, can get slippery. Using a concrete floor sealant coating can help with prevent slip and fall accidents and improve safety in your facility.

Concrete floor paint provides multiple options in skid-resistance that can be customized with room function and worker activity. Using durable, non skid coatings on factory flooring can reduce many safety hazards.

There are two main categories of sealers:

• penetrating sealers (reactive)
• topical sealers (film-forming)

Penetrating sealers are matched with substrate concrete porosity in order to penetrate the surface, be fully absorbed and form an impenetrable barrier. These sealers do not modify substrate appearance and produce a chemically reactive and bond with minerals in cement.

This reduces the amount of moisture and free silica available for alkali-silica reaction (ASR). This chemical bond blocks surface moisture as well as subterranean moisture and can reduce efflorescence and discoloring of the concrete.

Penetrating sealers can harden and increase the density of concrete, increase its PSI strength, has a permanent lifespan and are best used in conjunction with concrete diamond polishing.

Topical Concrete Sealers only protect the surface and resist penetration from liquid, chemicals, rust, oils, salts, other staining materials. Topical sealers provide visual color enhancement and damage protection but they need to be reapplied after several years.

Some of the main types of surface sealers are acrylic, epoxy and urethane and provide better protection against chemical intrusion than penetrating sealers.

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Signs of Concrete Foundation Cracks

• Water stains along walls or floor, and wet cracks.
• Efflorescence on the concrete walls, which shows up as a white or grayish ash on the foundation structure. Efflorescence sparkles because it is caused by salt deposits from evaporating water.
• A musty odor or damp air as excess moisture in a basement smells stale and humid.
• Any sign of mold including black, brown, yellow or green mold. Dampness and cracks directly over soil can cause quick growth of mold in underground crawl-space areas.
• Concrete spalling from water beneath the surface of concrete, with salt deposits from the evaporated water causing the surface to flake and peel off.

Water in your concrete foundation is a difficult problem to face, and should be fixed promptly. A good concrete repair guide can help quickly fix damage and regain functional integrity.

Possible Options to Fix Concrete Cracks

Redirect the source of water coming into the concrete area by:
Reconnecting disconnected downspouts, Redirecting gutters to separate downspouts and
Increasing downspout efficiency by attaching extensions.

Install flashing on the roof and under window sills to keep water away from the concrete area and
regrade the landscaping to slope away from the house.

Install French Drains under the concrete slab or around the house and use drain tiles.

Dig a 2 foot hole around the perimeter of the concrete area, attach a waterproofing membrane, line it with smooth rocks, install perforated pipe with the holes up and fill the area with rocks.

Installing a dehumidifier and using a sump pump in the basement can remove moisture while you are repairing the cracked concrete

Tuckpoint the exterior and interior concrete walls by cleaning out old mortar from the cracks, refilling with fresh mortar, and curing with a daily spritzing in the joints with water for the first week.

By acting quickly to repair cracks, you should be able to save the concrete and retain the foundation with minimal damage.

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