Concrete colors have come a long way. In the earlier years, they were mostly used in industrial and business constructions. Now, more people are opting for concrete colors on their walkthroughs and in the interior of their home.
One thing that most people tend to believe is that once applied, the concrete colors will last a lifetime. Over the course of years, however, people come to realize that there’s a need for regular maintenance as these colors tend to fade with the passing of time. Granted, concrete colors are highly durable, but nothing in life or in construction lasts forever.
Many times, contractors fail to inform their clients that the colors will fade over time and will need regular maintenance. This ends up costing the clients more money to restore the concrete to its former glory.
If you want your concrete colors looking fresh and vibrant, you’ll need to do regular maintenance. Having noticed that the colors on your flooring, countertops, or even drive through are fading, you’re often left with one choice–to call in your contractor. This is because they can fix the problem, helping you achieve your desired look.
Now that you understand the need for regular maintenance, here are a few factors to consider before restoring your faded concrete color.
1. The Cost
There are plenty of products available that can help restore the fresh color in your concrete. However, these will also come in different grades and qualities.
The most effective products will also require you to dig a little deeper into your pocket. That’s why it’s important to factor in the cost. You’ll need to decide on a budget and how much you’re willing to spend to choose the right products for you.
A reliable contractor, such as RS Concrete Restoration, will advise you on the best product to use for your concrete restoration.
2. The Weather
You also want to take note of the weather and the environment in which you live. If the concrete is exposed to the sun, then you need to choose a paint that’s able to withstand its UV rays. Often, acid-based or solid based stains are ideal and may perform better than organic-based dyes.
3. The Cause of the Fading
When restoring your faded concrete, another factor that you’ll need to consider is the cause of the fading. So, avoid faded concrete call an expert https://www.concretersbrisbane.com/. Apart from the weather, moisture and efflorescence could also contribute to the fading of your concrete. Some of these factors will affect the concrete either individually or in combination.
Moisture, for instance, will affect the concrete paint as it’s normally alkaline. An increase in moisture also causes a rise in PH, which will affect water-based colors as well as sealers, resulting in the fading of the pigmentation. This also explains the need for acid-based paints.
The method of restoration, in this case, will require you to remove the sealer and the dye, apply a fresh new coat of dye, then finally apply a new sealer.
4. Sealing The Concrete
Many people will paint their flooring and pathways without sealing, causing the paint to expose. Another factor to keep in mind is that iron oxide doesn’t fade. When you wet the floor, you’ll notice that the color is restored. It’s the minerals in the paint that change due to external factors. It’s important, therefore, to choose a high-quality sealant when deciding to restore faded concrete.
If you’re dealing with moisture, the best sealant is modified acrylic. These can last up to three to five years compared to the lower solid acrylics, which will last one to one and a half years.
Steps To Take when Restoring Faded Concrete
Now that you know the several factors to consider when restoring faded concrete, here’s the steps on how to do so:
1. Cleaning the Stamped Concrete
Don’t be surprised if you find that all you need to do in order to revive concrete is a thorough cleaning. As a rule of thumb, it’s important to ensure that the concrete is always clean and free of debris. This is because even while you may have areas that are protected from the UV rays, they may still be prone to debris and leaves from nearby vegetation that could stain the concrete.
The time of the year is an important factor to keep in mind. For instance, during fall, when vegetation is shedding its leaves, these could end up staining the floor. To avoid this, you’ll need to do a daily sweep.
2. Resurfacing Stamped Concrete
To see if it requires a sealer, you’ll also need to inspect your concrete. You can tell this if the concrete has lost its sheen, if there are cracks, or if you notice that when there’s spillage the, concrete retains water.
You can then bring in a contractor who’ll apply the sheen, which is called resurfacing and will help restore the color in the concrete.
One of the main advantages of hiring a contractor is that, coupled with the final resurfacing, they’re able to fix any issues with your concrete, including sealing the cracked areas.
3. Restaining the Stamped Concrete
Remember that as time passes, exposure to the sun and the elements will cause the concrete flooring to fade. Think of that outdoor patio where you spend a significant amount of your chill time.
The sun’s rays will also cause the color to fade. The surprising thing is that you may not be able to tell the difference. Only after moving the chair, you may notice that the color under the chair is more vibrant.
To restore the concrete color to its former glory, you can restain the concrete floor. Before resurfacing, you may even choosy a different color. Furthermore, you can choose a different pattern or texture. It all depends on the look that you would like to achieve.
Final Thoughts
Faded concrete can make your home look neglected and old. Luckily, with resurfacing and restaining, you can change the look of your concrete floors, making the house appear new and even improve your interior design.
Make sure to talk to a contractor who’ll advise you on the best products to use.
