3 Tips on Cleaning and Resealing Exposed Aggregate
Exposed aggregate is a common theme around many backyard swimming pools, and it’s often a gorgeous accent to poolside appeal. These surfaces are heavily used and begin to lose their luster. We here at Concrete Decor found a couple of great products that help with cleaning and resealing exposed aggregate of hard water/mineral deposits. These products also clean off other chemicals that make the concrete look less than appealing.
With new products hitting the market all the time, we found The Profiler by Surface Gel Tek an outstanding method for cleaning and resealing exposed aggregate. Because The Profiler (a muriatic acid in a gel form) lays on the surface of the concrete without absorbing into the cement. It only removes hard mineral deposits from the surface without deteriorating the cement. This helps to keep the exposed aggregate in place. The Profiler actually need only sit on the surface for about 5 to 15 minutes. At that time you can use a pressure washer to wash away to the sewer.
That’s right, the Profiler is also safe for the environment. After 24 to 48 hours of drying time we then apply two coats of clear Ultra Surface Sealcoat 1000 by Concrete Solutions Inc. Compared to the unsightly, untreated surface, this tip offers a great solution for most of your customers’ stained or tarnished concrete surfaces.
Note: the second coat also included a slip-resistant additive call Shark Grip. This product is a powder that mixes into the sealer and applies per manufacturer’s specifications found on the label.
Questions from Readers
Question
Can the products recommended really remove hard-water stains such as these? Do they affect the integrity of the aggregate?
