Why should Concrete
be cleaned and sealed?
Concrete is commonly
used in the construction of Pool Decks, Patios, Walkways,
Driveways, Garage & Basement Floors, Brick, Block and Mortar.
Concrete paving materials are offered in the form of Exposed
Aggregate, Patterned Concrete, Paving Stones (commonly referred to
as interlocking stones) Slab or Pre-Cast. Concrete can be natural
or coloured with pigments and is found just about everywhere you
look.
 When
concrete is first installed, it's smooth surface and vibrant
colours (when pigmented) look beautiful. If new concrete surfaces
are left unprotected or improperly protected with inferior
products, the smooth surfaces and vibrant colours will soon
disintegrate and stains will penetrate leaving an unsightly mess.
Assumptions that concrete is strong and maintenance free for life
could not be further from the truth. Concrete is like a sponge,
how quickly it deteriorates depends on what it absorbs. To confirm
this, drive through your neighbourhood and look at the countless
number of unprotected concrete and paving stone driveways that are
stained and damaged by natural elements and through owner neglect.
The appearance and/or integrity of
concrete can be effected by the following:
- Staining caused by the
absorption of Engine Oils, Transmission and Brake fluids,
Automotive and Barbecue Grease, Rust, Paint, Rubber, Red Wines
or Colas, Tree Berries or Sap, Bird Droppings and Animal Urine.
Stains are aesthetically unattractive and may be difficult to
remove unless the concrete is previously protected.
- Acid Rain will continually
dissolve the concrete's color pigments and erode the finish of
the pavement until it is left dull and pitted.
- UV rays & Chlorine based
Swimming Pool Chemicals will dramatically fade coloured concrete
over time.
- Freeze-Thaw Cycles (caused by
water absorption into the concrete pores from rain or melting
snow on Fall and Winter days where the temperature is above 0
degrees Celsius. Night time temperatures drop below 0 degrees
Celsius and cause this absorbed water to freeze and expand,
breaking down the concrete cells and it's overall integrity.
Over time this will cause erosion, shoaling and pop-outs. For
great examples of this, examine any new sidewalk compared to a
5, 10, 15 & 20 year old sidewalk. The difference is shockingly
obvious.
- De-Icing Salts can pit the
concrete's smooth surface within one winter's use if left
unprotected.
- Efflorescence Deposits (white
soluble salts which create a whitish haze on concrete surfaces).
Efflorescence will obscure the true color of your pavement, slow
down moisture evaporation and trap dirt in surface pores.
Efflorescence is present in most concrete and "must" be removed
from the surface prior to sealing.
- Weeds and other vegetation will
grow in-between the paving sand joints as seedlings take root in
the surface of the dirt contaminated low sand levels.
- Sand loss from the paving
joints is inevitable with wind, rain wash out and tire pick-up.
This will lead to instability in the paving stones and the
essential stable base below. Sand joint stabilization is
imperative.
Stains and damage can be avoided
by using premium STONESAVER sealers, repellents and paints.
STONESAVER is a Premium Total
Concrete Surface Care System that is designed in a three step
program.
STONESAVER's "Step 1" consists of
three Stain Cleaners,
Citrus Oil Degrease,
Rust Remover,
Stripper,
which work to remove topical and penetrated stains such as Oil,
Grease, Rust, Paint, Chewing Gum, Tar and Rubber from concrete
surfaces. Failure to remove stains prior to sealing can interfere
with sealer adhesion. These cleaners are easy to use (pour, scrub
& rinse method) with most being non-fuming, odorless or pleasantly
scented. They are materially safe for use around swimming water or
vegetation and are biodegradable within hours.
STONESAVER's "Step 2" consists of
the "world's first acidic based soap" surface preparation cleaner,
which requires no chemical handling or mixing by the residential
user. STONESAVER's Concrete Cleaner & Surface Prep comes in a 1
litre bottle equipped with an "auto diluting" hose end applicator
(much like many lawn fertilizers). STONESAVER's
Concrete Cleaner & Surface Prep is so concentrated that it
cleans 300 + sq. ft. on paving stones and up to 500 sq. ft. on
slab concrete, while weighing only 3 ¼ pounds. Simply connect it
to the garden hose and you're ready to clean with this cherry
scented soap solution. This process will remove dirt, light tire
tracks and efflorescence from the pavement and allow for proper
sealer to surface bonding. STONESAVER's
Concrete Cleaner & Surface Prep can be well rinsed onto lawns
and garden beds without damage to vegetation.
STONESAVER's "Step 3" consists of
the most premium concrete sealers, water repellents, satins and
paints available on the market today. STONESAVER's Step 3 products
out perform the competitors with the most advanced technology.
They offer the longest lasting and highest protection against
stain penetration while being easy to apply for the weekend
warrior. STONESAVER's offers the following products in 1, 5 and 45
gallon containers.
Before photo of pavers left
unprotected. The efflorescence can obscure the true colors
making paving stones look faded. |
After photo of the paving stones
after Cleaning & Sealing with STONESAVER's Surface Prep and
Paving Stone Sealer. |
Protect your costly
investments with Premium
STONESAVER products.
The product the professionals use !
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