Is Concrete Resurfacing Necessary Before Acid Staining Concrete?

Chemical stains (acid stains) are water acidic solutions of metallic salts interact with the lime from the concrete. After the chemical reaction is completed, the stains (which can be actually metallic oxides) become integral area of the concrete and gives it a lovely mottled colored surface. The critical portion of coloring concrete surfaces having an acid stain or chemical stain could be the reaction between the stain and lime inside the concrete. –stained_concrete–

In many remodeling projects a lot of people want to rip up their carpets, tile and linoleum and think they can acid stain the existing concrete substrate and achieve a lovely surface. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Concrete resurfacing which has a self leveling concrete or micro topping becomes necessary in the following cases.

1. Usually under the carpet, tack strips are widely-used to hold down it down then when these tack strips are pulled up after removing the carpet, they generate holes in the concrete from the nails used in the tack strips. In the event the holes are patched after which stained, they will color differently and stick out like a sore thumb. Applying a thin micro-topping over the entire surface hides all imperfections and helps to create a brand new canvas to acid stain.

2. Sometimes carpets are glued right down to the concrete substrate. Get the job done carpet glue is taken away, there could be some glue residue left within the pores of the concrete which provides a resist or may create spots on the surface. It will be a very good idea to cover the entire surface which has a thin concrete overlay to have desired results.

3. If the ceramic, porcelain or quarry tiles will be in good condition, it behooves to resurface the tiles with self leveling concrete and staining it having a chemical stain. If some tiles are loose or coming off they should be removed and patched before pouring a self leveling concrete. Removing tiles and grinding of the tile mastic is time consuming, messy and dear. Be resurfacing the prevailing tiles, the project can claim LEED points under lowering of waste and pollution in the project.

4. In many metropolitan cities there exists a popular trend of converting old warehouses into lofts. Stained concrete is a superb look for loft floors. Though the existing concrete substrate may possibly not have enough reactive lime for your chemical reaction. In these instances self leveling concrete or micro-topping may be the way to go.

5. If the existing concrete surface has paint overspray, permanent ink markings (left by framing contractors), caulk lines, hydraulic oil spills, concrete curing agents and/or flyash, installing the concrete overlay becomes mandatory for any stained concrete floor. -stained_concrete-