Q & A

I think the discussion about products is important because it is important the company you choose is using a quality product. As owner of Concrete Texturing, I can assure you that we are using a quality product. Some of the products Concrete Texturing use have been used for 25 years.

However, I think that question leads us away from two more important questions. I don’t think that question is as important as who is installing your product, their experience, their character and values. After all this is a product installed in many times in adverse environments and those qualities are much more a factor than the quality of the product. The variables in the execution of product from individual to individual is much more extreme than if you compare quality product to another manufacturer’s quality product.

I believe emphasizing a product over the character and experience a product is a lot like choosing your favorite golfer based on the clubs he uses.  The golfer is going to use a quality club but more than likely he is your favorite golfer because of his personality, character or the way the way he manages the golf course. The newer companies in the industry always emphasize the product to overcome their lack of inexperience.

All Concrete Texturing customers have the option of matte, semi-gloss, and glossy sealants. The finish is up to the customer’s personal taste, and the environment in which it is applied. A discussion on the shine and longevity of each sealant is important before starting your project. The amount of shine will also vary depending on lighting, texture, coloring, and absorption rate.

Concrete Texturing has a range of concrete textures available. We have products that are designed to be smooth, semi-rough, or rough. Each job is applied in the manner specified by the customer. Please keep in mind that sealed concrete can be slippery when wet. Extra caution should be exercised when coatings are new. Slip-resistant resin increases traction but does not eliminate the risk of slipping. Sealant must be allowed to age before achieving maximum protection.

When preparing concrete for installation, Concrete Texturing uses a combination of muriatic acid, grinders, sanders, and pressure washers, depending on what is currently on the surface and the desired finished product. The two prime methods of preparation are pressure washing with muriatic acid and grinding. However, there are a wide range of other methods that are called upon if the situation warrants their use.  Chemical strippers, sanding and bead blasting may be used to remove oil, adhesives, and paints from the existing surface.

Your concrete surface should be resealed every two to four years. The frequency is dependent upon sunlight exposure, how frequently it has been cleaned, and the amount of traffic the surface has endured. A good time to reseal is when the surface becomes dull or difficult to clean, or when water can immediately penetrate the surface. Once a fresh coat of sealant is applied, colors are brought back to full intensity and the surface is easily cleaned again.

If your surface is in a shaded area the requirements for sealing are a lot less. Our clients who have our product in shaded or covered area do not have to seal their surfaces for 5-7 years.

Another factor affecting the frequency can be water. The calcium in our water can cause the sealant to wear prematurely. If you have water from your pool, potted plants, or sprinklers repeatedly wetting the surface you may need to reseal your surface closer to every 2 years.

The important thing to remember is that resealing costs much less than redoing the entire surface. With a little TLC your surface will look beautiful for years to come.

Every Concrete Texturing application is finished with a seal coat. The seal coat makes the surface non-porous, which prevents discoloration or extreme fading due to UV (Ultra-Violet) rays. Most stains that are caused by tire tread, oil, calcium stains from water, animal urine, plants, and fruit will wash off.

If tire tread marks become noticeable, you can rinse the surface with a garden hose. If that doesn’t remove the tire marks, you can add a common cleaner like dish soap, and scrub the surface with a household scrub brush.

When a spill does occur, you should clean the surface as soon as possible. Any stain left on the surface for long periods of time is more difficult to remove and can potentially discolor the surface. Potted plants should be elevated above the surface to prevent rings. Freshly watered plants should have a pan or saucer underneath to catch water overflow and prevent hard water stains from working their way into the surface.

Pans should be placed underneath vehicles that leak. The oil from the vehicle will wash off; however, constant oil and cleaning will prematurely wear the sealant. Highly corrosive materials should be prevented from touching the surface. Items such as battery acid and radiator coolant could cause the concrete overlay to discolor.

After the sealant is applied, you must stay completely off of the surface for 24 hours. Wait three days before placing boxes and light furniture on the newly sealed surface. Avoid putting heavier furniture, appliances, and vehicles on the surface for 3 to 4 days.

There are many methods and cost ranges for repairing concrete cracks. The method used to repair a crack is determined by many factors, including, but not limited to the purpose of repairing the crack, size, budget, and material going over the crack (tile, coating, etc.).

Regardless of the method used to fill a crack, it’s possible that it will retrace itself or reappear. So whenever possible, it should be worked into the design pattern of the coating.

If cracking is an issue, Concrete Texturing may recommend a flagstone pattern. Since we free-cut our flagstone, we can trace along any crack and make it a grout line within a flagstone pattern. Since our grout lines are slightly recessed, any flaws are less visible. The crack is also much easier to repair if it opens up again in the future.

The total thickness is typically between 1/16″ & 1/4″. There are modified cement mixes designed to applied thicker, but these materials are typically not designed for a decorative look. When applying a decorative concrete overlay, our concern is ensuring that the acrylic penetrates the concrete. If the surface needs to be substantially built up, other products can be used as a base coat, then the acrylic concrete overlay applied on top.

THICKER IS NOT BETTER.

With coatings and overlays, thicker does not mean better. The thinner it is, the better the flexural properties. Flexibility allows for expansion and contraction of concrete during freeze/thaw cycles. When the acrylic concrete is applied between 1/16″ to 18″ thick, it has the ability  to move with the concrete as opposed to against it, unlike products like tile, slate, pavers, or concrete patches.

Concrete Texturing’s flagstone pattern is an ideal option when a surface has multiple cracks.  Although there are many theories on how to treat cracks the fact is that in most cases the cracks will reappear and come back through the overlay. To prevent the reoccurrence of cracks from hindering the enjoyment of your overlay CT would like to prevent an option that will not hinder your enjoyment of our product in the future. Concrete Texturing nor any other company can prevent a crack from reappearing. But what we can do is follow a strategy that allows the cracks to be incorporating it into a design and essential takes the crack out of play.

Coated concrete is much cooler than plain concrete, but generally not quite as cool as brand name Kool Deck. However, most people do not have a genuine Kool Deck texture. Instead, they have sprayed texture that is designed to look like Kool Deck. The temperature of a surface varies depending upon the existing substrate, texture, and color. Typically, the flatter the surface and the darker the color, the hotter the surface can get.

Sprayed texture which is commonly applied around pools and on patios and designed to look and act like kool deck can be made cooler by applying a heat reflective paint.

INDUSTRY FACTS

100% of all decorative concrete surfaces must be maintained with a periodic seal coat.

Weather, sun, traffic, and water will gradually deteriorate the seal coat on your decorative concrete surface. If you regularly maintain the seal coat, your surface will last for many years.

As many as 90% of all concrete coating businesses go out of business within two years.

Many new businesses don’t last more than a handful of years. This is certainly true in the decorative coating business because many contractors decide to offer the service without acquiring the skills and knowledge to properly execute them. As a result, these contractors end up making costly mistakes that force them out of business.

Hiring an unqualified coatings contractor can increase the cost of maintenance by as much as 50%.

At Concrete Texturing, approximately 35% of our work involves maintaining or redoing other contractors’ work. This requires our team to evaluate the quality of work and product that was initially installed. Most of the time, the product was not installed correctly and didn’t bond with the existing concrete surface. We often need to completely grind off the applied materials, which increases the customer’s cost significantly. So, make sure to do your research and select a qualified coatings contractor!

Industry Overview

The concrete coatings industry is highly fragmented, with many small companies organized as manufacturers and installers. Most have fewer than five employees, and many are one-man operations. Most importantly, the majority of these companies do not specialize in coatings and textured overlays for concrete floors.

For many, concrete resurfacing is a secondary product offering. Their primary trades are painting, concrete finishing, landscaping, and/or dry-walling, but they represent themselves as professional concrete resurfacing companies.

Concrete Resurfacing material is a system, not a single product.

Almost all concrete resurfacing applications consist of two to five products, combined to create a system. Consumers often have a false perception that a single product is applied, and that product will look and perform the same regardless of who installs the product. This is not the case.

In a system, each product must be compatible with the other products and combined correctly. Only then will they form an attractive, durable, and functional surface. If the products are not compatible, your surface will deteriorate quickly or the products may not bond to the existing surface at all.

Although most companies claim they have a revolutionary or unique product, there is little distinguishable difference among leading manufacturers’ products. On top of this, manufacturers cannot control independent contractors and their installation techniques.

There is, however, considerable variability in craftsmanship, product knowledge, management skills, and experience. Each contractor should be judged on their own skill and experience, and not the brand name of the products they use.

Imperfections enhance the finished look.

Concrete overlay products offer diverse flexibility in appearance, style, texture, and durability. Depending on your preferences, a skilled and experienced applicator can create a simple look, or an elaborate, one-of-a-kind mosaic. This flexibility is inherent in the product and allows a qualified contractor to create a natural, imperfect product that is visually appealing.

It’s important that customers understand upfront that there will be minor blemishes and imperfections on the surface. These blemishes constitute the concrete floor’s one-of-a-kind beauty. It is the little flaws that give your surface character.

When it’s time to choose a contractor for concrete installation, how do you distinguish between an experienced contractor and a corner-cutting swindler? A little research and some educated questions can help you make the right decision — saving you time, money, and countless headaches.

A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

Planning is the foundation of successful decorative concrete installation. A detailed strategy and careful research enable a qualified decorative concrete professional to:

• Provide the right surface based on your personal taste and needs
• Accurately estimate the cost and length of time required for installation
• Present a quality solution that factors in the condition of your existing surface, the finish that is most durable for your traffic patterns, and the appropriate color schemes for your house and personal taste

This conversation with your contractor should help you evaluate their skill level and gauge the success you can expect from the concrete installation project.

Do Your Research

Before you invite a contractor to your home, do some Internet research. A qualified contractor appreciates an informed consumer, so educate yourself on the options and expertise required to complete the job.

There are many online photos of work done by contractors in the concrete coatings field. See what appeals to you and your taste. Then decide if that particular look fits in your home environment. See if your selected contractor has a website that will educate you on the process. Their website should showcase a portfolio of completed concrete installations, and provide company information.

Many general contractors add concrete coatings to their product mix but have little experience with them. One way to tell if the installer lacks a long-term commitment to the industry or the future maintenance of your job is whether or not he has a portfolio of concrete installation projects and a website. Industry statistics show that many of these companies go out of business within a few years, leaving homeowners with expensive maintenance issues down the road.

Choose carefully! Hire a professional with longevity in the coatings industry who is not at risk of disappearing after your job is complete.

Narrow your Search

• Set appointments with at least two or three decorative concrete installation contractors.
• Clearly communicate your ideas and questions, and really listen to the responses; effective communication is key in a customer/contractor relationship. This person will be working in your home or business, so comfort is paramount.
• Give each contractor the exact same project information.
• Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each contractor. In the coatings industry, not all skills are equal. The degree of craftsmanship can vary greatly from one contractor to the next. Which contractor has the best follow-through on your requests?

Your meeting should feel like an educational conversation because you’re gathering information about the contractor, not just the end product. This is probably more important in the concrete coating industry than any other contractor situation. The best, most durable products in the world won’t make up for an inexperienced contractor.

Some Questions to Ask

1. Get at least two references for the contractor, preferably from customers who had the same type of concrete installation done that you’re interested in.
2. Is the contractor licensed, bonded, and insured?
3. What insurance coverage do they have? At a minimum, decorative concrete contractors should have workman’s compensation, general liability (including property and personal liability), and auto insurance. These policies help protect you and your property from legal problems should an accident occur.
4. How long have they been in business? A contractor with at least 3 years of coatings-specific experience (not general construction) usually has a stable business foundation.
5. Have they attended classes or training seminars in the past two years? Industry trade shows, seminars, and classes keep decorative concrete contractors current on the latest products, application methods, and techniques. Courses centered on business management are also important.
6. Do they have a “before and after” image portfolio?
7. Do they have a website with images and information about their company and concrete installation services?

Evaluating Work Ethic

To gain insight on a contractor’s work ethic, call all references and ask:

• How did they find out about this contractor?
• How long ago did this contractor work for them?
• What was the quality of the finished project?
• Did the contractor recommend a contract, including a written estimate? If not, did you request a contract? Did the contractor balk at the idea?
• Did the project go over the original estimate? If so, by how much? What changes from the original project did they request? Did the contractor provide a detailed explanation?
• Did the contractor stay on schedule and report to work in a timely manner?
• Did the contractor have a good attitude throughout the project?
• Did anything unusual or unsettling happen during the course of the project?
• How qualified were the workers and installers?
• How accessible was the contractor?
• Was the site clean and safe at all times?
• Would they recommend this contractor to their family and friends?
• Would they use this contractor again?

Checking The Work Site

If possible, visit at least one previous work site, preferably where similar work to your concrete installation project was done.

Look for the quality of workmanship and detail. For instance, if a new concrete floor is part of a house addition, are the corners and edges detailed, and the cut lines straight and measured? Are there stains on the baseboards and walls? Your eyes are the best reference you have when visiting a former work site, so check things over carefully.

Reviewing and Choosing an Estimate

Once you receive all estimates, take time to compare them. Don’t ever base your decision on price alone. Keep the following tips in mind:

• Be cautious of extremely low bids. Compare all items on the bid. Often, low bidders cut corners, dilute products, and end up costing you more in the long run. Differences in preparation of existing surfaces, textures, coloring methods, multiple colors, multiple coats of sealants, and quality of sealants can affect the price.
• What warranty is being offered? Is the company likely to be around to honor it?
• Check the materials. Some estimates may contain lower-quality materials, which reduce the cost of the project. Review any items you do not understand with the contractor.
• Do not sign anything until you understand all aspects of the contract, and keep all project documentation.

Contract Information

A professional decorative concrete contractor should provide a written contract detailing all work to be completed. Having the specifics in writing minimizes problems during and after the concrete installation is done. Remember, if it isn’t documented, it never happened. Once you receive the contract, take a few days to review it carefully. Don’t sign until you are completely comfortable with the stipulations included.

Making a Decision

What happens if you pick something out and the price doesn’t fit your budget? Try asking what adjustments to the bid might lower the price. Different color processes, textures, sealants, etc. have different costs. Often, slight tweaking to the process will get you to your budget number.  For example:

• If you’re asking for three colors, selecting two might meet your budget.
• Did you request stamped concrete? Try asking for hand texture pricing.
• Try choosing a medium broadcast of chips rather than a full broadcast in epoxy floor coatings.

Ultimately, when all of your due diligence is done, your decision may be made on instinct. Does the contractor have the same vision and ideas as you? Do they represent themselves in a professional manner, and can they create the finish and look you desire? Being informed is empowering, so move forward with the contractor that feels right to you.