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Concrete Restoration and Repair

 

At Cubic concrete we can often save an old concrete driveway or patio without necessarily a total break and remove / replace. We can usually pour over successfully a cracked and pitted driveway or patio with a 2” layer of fibreglass reinforced concrete in a variety of finishes at costs starting as little as $5 / sq. ft. Other remedial measures if your existing patio for example is structurally sound but showing signs of wear and tear and needs some aesthetic appeal is to apply thin polymer overlays, acrylic colors, acid stains, sealers, etc. Call us with your ideas for a free on site evaluation.

ACID STAINED CONCRETE

 

Acid stained concrete can give new life to old concrete, giving it the look of deep marble or granite, or a mottled antique effect. It is not difficult to do but because there is a great deal of variance among concrete types and conditions, it needs to be done right in order to look good. This procedure is not a dye technique like staining leather or wood but a chemical reaction. The acid stain product may not even appear to be the color it will produce. The English Red has a dark greenish tint yet turns the concrete a vibrant terra cotta as the metallic particles in the solution combines with the concrete . A mixture of water, metallic oxides, and muriatic acid is applied to the concrete surface. This chemical reaction with the existing minerals (primarily lime) in the concrete over a period of one to four hours creates new earth tone colors on the concrete surface. The concrete surface is later scrubbed to remove excess stain and neutralized by a basic solution of ammonia and water or baking soda to help raise the ph level back to normal level.

WATER BASED STAINING

 

Water Based Stains are similar to acid based stains in the sense that one can still achieve a translucent look like acid, and some stains are able to achieve a fairly opaque color effect if desired. The main difference is that acid stains react to the concrete and change the physical make up of the concrete, whereas water based stains are more of a coating and penetrant that bonds with the concrete. There are many variations of water based stains that have come into the decorative concrete industry that perform in a number of different ways. Most are polymer or acrylic based, and a urethane or epoxy sealer is typically applied afterward to give it a wet look to lock in the color. This method can be very dramatic at minimal cost. Call Cubic concrete to see some brochures and product samples.

POLYMER CEMENT OVERLAYS

 

Polymer cement overlays, consisting of a proprietary blend of Portland cements, various aggregates and polymer resins, were introduced over 20 years ago. The purpose of adding a polymer resin to the cement and aggregate is to greatly increase the performance characteristics and versatility of conventional cement. Unlike conventional cement and concrete mixes, polymer cement overlays can be applied thinly or thickly without fear of delamination or typical product failure. In addition, polymer cement overlays are much more resistant to damage from salt, petrochemicals, UV, harsh weather conditions and traffic.

 

Originally intended for use as a thin surface restoration material for concrete substrates, polymer cement overlays were introduced into the architectural concrete and commercial flooring industries in the early 80s. Subsequently, its use in these industries has become standard. Polymer cement overlays are regarded as economical in providing long term, durable renovation without the need for costly and continuous repairs associated with deteriorating concrete surfaces.

 

Polymer cement overlays are used for interior and exterior applications ranging from:

• Skim coat/broom finish concrete resurfacing – Restore and protect damaged, pitted, flaking and stained concrete back to the look of a new concrete surface.

• Concrete regrading & leveling – Repair and level concrete surfaces that have settled.

• Existing substrate redecorating and renovating – Alter the appearance of existing concrete or wood substrates through applying "thin stamped" or "thin stained" overlays, creating new textures, colors and designs.