The world's foremost resource on decorative concrete
When staining, installing an overlay, repairing or recoating a concrete slab, surface prep is a critical step in the process to ensure the material successfully bonds to the surface. Skipping this time-consuming essential first step usually spells disaster.
Project superintendent Chris Hampton had never used Skudo floor protection products before the Turner Middle School project in Kansas City, Kansas. Now, he says, he won’t use anything else. “I heard about Skudo during superintendent meetings when we were discussing different products that could be used,” says Hampton, employed by […]
When Hutton, a large design-build firm based in Wichita, Kansas, outgrew its headquarters, owner Ben Hutton naturally turned to his own resources. He called on Hutton’s in-house architecture and design team to draw up plans for a new facility. In addition, he knew he needed some commercial protection systems in […]
Chris Finegan, owner of Green-Tec Services in Orange, California, says the biggest drawback he often faces selling his high-pressure water-blasting services is that contractors are concerned the process will inject water into the slab when they prep the concrete. However, nothing could be further from the truth. By quickly hitting […]
Whether you’re evaluating a prospective client’s existing concrete for estimating purposes or you’re in the process of neutralizing a surface in preparation for resurfacing, Extech’s pH tester ExStik pH100 (aka the ExStik) is a fabulous tool for identifying problem areas. The “ExStik” can be calibrated to 4, 7 or and […]
This Franmar video shows the application of Soy-Gell Paint and Urethane Remover.
Anything worth doing is worth doing right. Don’t cut corners and expect quality results. These may sound like clichés designed to get folks to toe the line but more often than not, I’ve found them to be absolutely true.
A shot blaster is the tool of choice for concrete contractors when prepping a surface. Shot blasting gives the surface a rough profile so coatings and sealers will bond snugly with a floor.
Getting to know concrete inside and out will help in properly preparing those surfaces for a topping.
An old technique with new applications. Burnishing can open up a whole array of visual opportunities for concrete surfaces.
The pressure washer is one of the most useful and versatile tools available to the decorative concrete contractor. As with most tools of the trade, a pressure washer in the hands of a pro becomes a magic wand, while in the hands of a novice it can ruin your newly created surface.
