Concrete Oddities and Specialties Forum

sodium buildup

feeds@kickapps.com (epofloors) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:47:14 PST

Does anyone know how to remove sodium buildup on brick? I am doing a patio and the customer thinks I know "everthing" ...(she is not all there) regardless, the brick is WHITE and can't get rid of it, tried C.L.R and a powerwasher...nothing happened....any thoughts?

How to remove stain + sealer

feeds@kickapps.com (concretedude) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 22:14:54 PST

Resurfacing a lot of old concrete and am pleased with the results. I have come across a driveway and sidewalk that has been stained and sealed. The work was done years ago and it appears the sealer has worn off considerably. It appears to have some acid residue from lack of cleaning before sealer application. There is a small amount of beading when wet. Not much. On to my question. What is the best approach to getting this concrete ready for resurfacing options. Should i grind? It is approx. 2000sf

Electric Radiant flooring systems

feeds@kickapps.com (ConcreteImpressions1) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:24:37 PST

We are installing an electric radiant floor heating system under a TSO. My question is about heat loss into the concrete. I was hoping to install the cable into a layer of TP. (thin,cable,wet thin, tex pave) then install the TSO on top of that like normal. but some guy from watts radiant is telling me that all of the heat will be lost down into the slab underneath. This doesn't really make sense to me, but was hoping someone out there might have some insight, first hand knowledge, or even a reasonable explanation for me. (and the homeowner) because of course the homeowner also called watts and was told the same thing and of course does not want to loose all of his heat down thru the ground. Doesn't heat rise? Wouldnt the heat warm up our thinner texture pave layer far quicker than the 4" slab underneath????
Thanks Guys Appriciate any help>

And of course thanks Ray R. as always your input is well appriciated. Like the voice of an angel!

CONCERNS FREEZE THAW CYCLE - OKLAHOMA CITY

feeds@kickapps.com (concretedude) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:54:01 PST

We are concerned with the severe freeze thaw cycle that Oklahoma experiences. We can have 40 degree temps. and rising up to 65 even 70 degrees during the day and that very night the temp will drop down below freezing. We feel that on these days the material has had ample time to dry, but not always. Should we take the risk or just stick to the days where the weather is more consistent and does not freeze by night and thaw by day. If anyone has any advice on this topic, it would be greatly appreciated.

We also are wondering what kind of warranties are being offered by other contractors. We want to offer a limmited warranty.

Also, we have several driveways that seem to be structurally sound but have consideralbe flaking and damage to the top. I would say some of them are almost 60 to 70% scaled off. Again, the structure seems to be stable ,it is the top that has gone bad. Should we resurface in this situation?

Best way to bid fireplace surround???

feeds@kickapps.com (daveg) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:10:00 PST

Anyone have any suggestions on the best way to bid a basic fireplace surround?

Pool Deck Repair

feeds@kickapps.com (ekimh) — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:00:48 PST

I have a pool deck that is colered stamped concrete. It it two-tone and I had is power wsshed. Big mistake. There are now spots where the color is gone. I am looking for help/suggestions on how to restore this deck.

Personal project idea. curbing without machine

feeds@kickapps.com (creteartisan) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 08:15:35 PST

Has anyone mimicked the custom concrete curbing?

I was thinking it would be nice to have a couple hundred feet of 4"x4" curbing in our landscaping, but was quoted $5 a foot with no color or texture from the local company.

Any advice?

need help?

feeds@kickapps.com (Averitt concrete) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 21:16:45 PST

i just stamped around pool used integral davis color [mesa buff] and random stone stamps.i wanted to stain some of the stones to change the appearance.what kind of stain can i use? can i use ultrastone?

handy here and there crack fill material

feeds@kickapps.com (rundccm) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:18:18 PST

Gapoxio Epoxy Putty good stuff for occsiaional crack fill material mini world distributing sells cost about 9.50 per lb one two part kit can fill 20-30 ft of 1/4 " crack

good stuff to keep handy......

Products for waterproofing concrete deck

feeds@kickapps.com (hwbuck) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 14:07:30 PST

I have been researching on the internet for companies that sell do it yourself rubber like coatings & paints to be used on concrete decks to fill in the gaps, cracks ,both medium and hair line and to waterproof the deck so the rain will not seep down through the concrete onto the patio below.

Has anyone used the products manuf. by a Company called Ames Research? They sell a concrete Primer, a rubber like coating, and a top coat), also I am looking at other similar products called Sani-Tred which are said to do about the same thing.

What are the pros and cons of each company's product if you have used and had experience with them?

Outdoor concrete baseball decorations

feeds@kickapps.com (fan4baseball) — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 10:10:16 PST

I am looking for a company that makes concrete baseballs like the ones at AT & T park. Any suggestions?

concrete basics

feeds@kickapps.com (DCS Inc) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 08:42:56 PST

Guys, I just tripped across this web page that 'Kinda' tells you a little about concrete. If anybody needs a more in depth link, I can get you something more detailed. gene ec-Indy

www.concrete.net.au/pdf/c...basics.pdf

concrete bench fell apart, how do I fix it

feeds@kickapps.com (dfc6b7) — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:45:03 PST

I have a round, 3ft diameter, concrete patio table with two curve shaped concrete benches. The bench broke loose from the 2 pedastals. How do I reattact the bench and correctly position the pedastals so the bench is stable.
Thanks for taking the time to help me out.

Waterfalls

feeds@kickapps.com (dutchboy48) — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:57:59 PST

I am new to staining concrete. Can anyone tell me how durable these products may or may not hold up under flowing water? I make art-deco waterfalls poured from concrete and am also looking to do other things. Thanks to all.....

Waterfalls

feeds@kickapps.com (dutchboy48) — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 14:43:04 PST

I am new to this and was wondering if anyone could give any insight as to the durability of these staining products under flowing water. I build art-deco waterfalls from poured concrete. Thanks to all respondents.

Plasticizers

feeds@kickapps.com (SkipK) — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 17:54:15 PST

Does anybody know if plasticizers are added to overlay mixes?

Stamped overlay over membrane over concrete

feeds@kickapps.com (jbaustx) — Thu, 31 May 2007 10:18:55 PST

I'm bidding on project requiring 3\4" to 1 1/4" stamped cobblestone overlay over 750 SF existing Tremco elastomeric membrane that's been applied on 3rd story concrete deck. My inclination is to nail lathe over membrane, prime, trowel first coat admixture concrete (sand mix) through lathe, then apply standard stamp mix. I've done this in past, but just wondered if I'm making it too complicated.

Any ideas?

exposed aggregate bbq for Forest Service

feeds@kickapps.com (Liz) — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 17:22:51 PST

I have been looking for a "local" contractor who can create a bbq grill/firering for a Forest Service project. The specs are very specific. Dimensions are 58" exterior, 48" interior with steel grills, etc. We are located in the panhandle of Idaho. Anyone out there know some one I can contact?
Contact info:
208-448-0210
lizjg35@hotmail.com
Thanks!

Liz

firepits

feeds@kickapps.com (cgpaint) — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:33:55 PST

one question we have been asked alot .....is how are elite crete products around firepits . Is there anything we need to know before application....

50 lb quartz buckets

feeds@kickapps.com (cgpaint) — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:30:20 PST

how many square feet is everyone getting out of these buckets .......