Day: July 5, 2021

One of the biggest concerns that people have when it comes to concrete flooring is how to clean it efficiently.

Fortunately, removing stains from a concrete floor is not nearly as difficult or complicated as it sounds.

Here are a few stain removal tricks to help you maintain spectacular looking concrete floors.

Removing paint stains

Timing is everything when it comes to a paint stain on concrete flooring. For the best results, it’s critical to act as quickly as possible.

For a fresh spill, start by putting on goggles for eye protection, then mix together one cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) with four liters of hot water. Pour the mixture over the paint, scrub it with a long brush, and pressure rinse it until the stain is removed.

Unfortunately, if you’re dealing with a very large spill, there may always be a slight hint of color left on the concrete.

Removing oil

Oil stains are some of the ugliest, most stubborn stains out there. If possible, try to absorb the oil as soon as you notice it so that it doesn’t penetrate into the concrete.

Believe it or not, your best bet against a fresh oil stain is to pour cat litter or mud over it, then scrub with a stiff brush or broom. Leave the cat litter or mud on top of the stain for at least an hour before sweeping it away. For tougher stains, leave it overnight.

If this doesn’t completely do the trick, mix together one cup of TSP with hot water, then pour this on top of the stain. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes before scrubbing with a rigid nylon brush and hosing it off with pressurized water.

Removing mud

When mud is left for too long on concrete flooring, it can leave an ugly brown stain. Fortunately, this is one of the easiest stains to remove. Simply mix together some dishwashing detergent and warm water into a spray bottle, shake it, and squirt it over the stain. Let it sit for around 10 minutes, then scrub it off with a nylon brush and rinse with a high-pressure hose.

Removing rust stains

Unfortunately, rust stains on concrete are quite difficult to remove entirely. Large, old rust stains often require a special rust remover. But for smaller, newer rust stains, using vinegar is your best bet.

Just pour it on the stain, let it sit for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing with a nylon brush, and its acidic properties will eat away the rust. Rinsing and repeating may be required.

Looking for more tips on concrete and how to clean it? Check out the Port Aggregates blog

The post How to Remove Stains From Concrete Flooring appeared first on Port Aggregates.

Donna Pero

www.concretestyle.net

When it comes to taking care of stamped concrete, summer is the best season to do so.

With temperatures rising in Louisiana, now is the time to start preparing your concrete for the warmer weather to come.

To increase the longevity of your decorative concrete, you must follow the following 4 steps when preparing your slab for summer.

1. Make sure you don’t need to strip your concrete

After a particularly harsh winter (like the record-breaking freeze of 2020), you may want to consider resealing your concrete.

Before you do so, however, you may wonder whether or not it’s necessary to strip off the old sealer first.

Fortunately, as long as your slab has been around longer than the early 2000s and has been stripped once before, it will not need stripping prior to resealing.

2. Power wash your slab

Once you’ve concluded whether or not you need to strip your stamped concrete, you’ll want to power wash it before you proceed with anything else.

Pollen, leaf, and tire stains can create such an eyesore. Power washing your slab is ideal for clearing away all the dirt, grime, and stains that have built up over the past year.

If you’ve got tough stains from oil and tar, you should use neutral soap, a solvent cleaner, or a degreaser first. This will loosen the stain which can then be sprayed off with the power washer.

3. Check for cracks

After your stamped concrete has been fully cleaned, scan it with your eyes for cracks. Most hairline fractures can be fixed on your own, but long and deep cracks may require you to replace the slab altogether.

4. Seal your concrete

If you haven’t resealed your concrete in the past three years, now is the best time to do so. Sealer is most effectively applied during warm weather on dry concrete. If you’re planning on sealing your concrete this spring, be sure to check the weather ahead of time, as the sealer will need a couple of days with no rain in order to dry properly.

Looking for more concrete tips and tricks? Check out the Port Aggregates blog

The post 4 Steps to Prepare Your Stamped Concrete for Summer appeared first on Port Aggregates.

Donna Pero

www.concretestyle.net

When you think of concrete, you probably visualize a boring, grey slab.

Not many people associate concrete with color, but with the help of aesthetic treatments, it can really become a true work of art.

Before you start your next colored concrete project, it’s important to understand the advantages and ingredients involved.

Key benefits

1. Enhancing the appearance of your yard

The first and most obvious benefit of colored concrete is its aesthetic appeal. Whether you’re incorporating it into your new driveway or backyard patio, you’d be surprised at the difference a simple pop of color can make to your yard.

But beauty isn’t its only benefit.

2. Extra protection

The aesthetic treatments used to give colored concrete its pigment also provide a practical, wear-resistant coating and a beautiful finish. This will help your gorgeous slab maintain its fresh look over time, protecting it from weather and the damage of day-to-day use.

Understanding the two techniques

When it comes to concrete coloring, there are two main techniques:

1. Stirring the colorant into the concrete mix itself

This mixing technique is most commonly used in projects that desire one solid color. It works by mixing in a powdered pigment made up of inorganic minerals into the ready mix. This pigment is oftentimes made of chromium oxides and iron.

2. Stamping the concrete

Concrete stamping, on the other hand, is used for projects that require special patterns or designs. This method involves layering colorant on top of fresh concrete then stamping it with texturing molds. This colorant is either made up of synthetic or natural pigments.

Synthetic pigments

Synthetic pigments are made up of metallic oxides and are created through industrial processes. During these processes, minerals (the raw material) are refined to change their physio-chemical properties.

These physio-chemical properties are what link each metallic oxide to their specific color. Cobalt oxide, for example, is a metallic oxide used to create blue concrete.

Natural pigments

Natural pigments are derived from mineral deposits, and like synthetic pigments, they’re made up of metallic oxides and hydroxides. Iron is most commonly used to apply this pigmentation.

Get prettier, longer-lasting concrete by coloring it. At Port Aggregates, our professional concrete contractors are highly skilled in creating beautiful, precise pours every time. Contact us today to request a quote for your next project!

The post Your Guide to Colored Concrete appeared first on Port Aggregates.

Donna Pero

www.concretestyle.net

Concrete is much more than just a place to park your car or a foundation for your home.

When starting your next project, it’s important to be aware of your options. This material can really be quite beautiful if you know what to ask for.

The possibilities are endless, but today, let’s take a closer look at exposed aggregate concrete.

What is exposed aggregate concrete?

Over 100 years old, the exposed aggregate technique quite literally “paved” the way for decorative concrete. 

The name pretty much says it all. In this type of concrete, a thin top layer is intentionally removed to expose the aggregate underneath. The exposed layer can include sandgravel, quartzite, or crushed glass.

Gravel is most commonly used, and a variety of different sizes are available to give you the desired texture that you want. See example below.

Benefits of exposed aggregate

Exposed aggregate concrete offers infinite benefits. The most glaring advantage is its gorgeous appearance and satisfying texture. It adds a natural element to any area, and the three-dimensional surface is completely customizable. 

Another advantage to this type of decorative concrete is its increased traction. Rough surfaces like these are ideal for helping you keep your footing–even when the surface is wet or icy. It can even be customized to stick out at certain levels, if you so desire.

One of the main reasons why exposed aggregate is so popular is its price. It’s one of the least expensive types of decorative concrete available, and is an affordable alternative to standard, drab concrete.

Maintenance tips

Like any other type of concrete, exposed aggregate offers immense durability and is very low-maintenance. 

Proper care includes regular sweeping or rinsing off with a hose. It should also be resealed every couple of years. Fortunately, the color of the aggregates will not fade over time, and it’s actually the easiest type of decorative concrete to keep up with.

Repairs (if necessary) are quite simple, and exposed aggregate can last for decades if properly cared for and installed by professionals. At Port Aggregates, our expert concrete contractors have decades’ worth of experience built every pour. Contact us today to request a quote

The post Your Guide to Exposed Aggregate Concrete appeared first on Port Aggregates.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.concretestyle.net/?p=1124

Donna Pero

www.concretestyle.net

Contrary to popular belief, there are several different forms of sand on this earth.

Some are engineered for specific construction purposes, and others are completely natural.

Sand has been used for many different purposes since the beginning of time, and is especially useful to the construction industry for many reasons.

Sand uses in the construction industry

Sand can be used to create many different types of concrete and mortars, and is typically used in formwork, slate, granite, concrete, porcelain, plaster, and brick for buildings.

It can also be used to construct public works like tunnels, refurbish work in railway facilities, demolish masonry, and abrasively clean concrete.

In environments that are high risk for chemical spills, silica sand is used to create slip-proof flooring.

How silica sand affects concrete

Silica sand in particular has a unique effect on concrete and poses quite a few risks.

While it is a commonly used material, it’s not 100% safe, and can seriously affect the health of workers who handle it.

When working with silica sand in poorly ventilated or closed spaces, dust clouds can occur that are harmful to the people and machinery within close proximity.

That being said, this material should only be used by a professional who is wearing the proper PPE and taking the appropriate preventative measures. It is not to be used for a DIY project.

At Port Aggregates, we offer 5 different types of sand:

Fill sand (unscreened/unwashed)Top soilFlume sand (screened/washed)Concrete sand (larger/coarse/washed)Mason sand (fine/coarse/washed)

Our sands are ideal for use in landscaping, concrete, and more. All of our materials are of the highest quality, and we service 24 areas across the state of Louisiana. Contact us today to request a quote

The post How is Sand Used in the Construction Industry? appeared first on Port Aggregates.

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Donna Pero

www.concretestyle.net