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Checklist: Do I Need to Replace My Chimney Cap?
As you are cleaning leaves out of your home’s gutters, dealing with Christmas lights, or adjusting a satellite dish, don’t forget to evaluate your chimney caps while you’re on the roof. Chimney caps are those mesh-sided enclosures (usually made of...
Ideas for deck railing designs and free plans
There are several deck railing design ideas for creating your
perfect home deck. Decks are an oasis for a homeowner. They
provide the perfect outdoor space for an individual getaway or
an evening party with friends. Deciding on the type of...
Lake Havasu Real Estate
Lake Havasu real estate is a hot commodity. With surrounding attractions such as the London Bridge, English Village, Mohave Desert, and Lake Havasu, it's no wonder that the place has become a popular place to live. When tourists decide to turn the...
Sprinklers Provide Best Chance for Surviving a House Fire
(ARA) - Although it's impossible to put a dollar value on a human life -- especially the life of a loved one -- the reality is that the decision to purchase many life-saving products often comes down to cost.
For the amount of money it...
Wood Panels and Humidity
Coping with wood movement
All wood workers need to be aware of wood movement when building furniture projects. Failure to consider this important factor can cause wood panels to crack or split.
My high school biology teacher compared the...
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Why You Should Consider Staining Your Concrete Floor
Acid staining can make a common concrete floor into look like
expensive natural stone flooring. Not only is it a fraction of
the price, but for people allergic to carpeting materials it's a
godsend. Another great application is in houses with radiant
floor heating. Radiant heating is at its most efficient when
insulating floor coverings like tile or carpet are minimized.
The process of staining a concrete floor, while not overly
complex, can be tough to get the results you want from. Most
folks are probably better off hiring a professional contractor.
It's a risky project for the do-it-yourselfer.
If you're not familiar with it, concrete stain isn't a paint or
finish coat. It involves a chemical reaction on cement
materials. Typically a water-based solution of hydrochloric acid
and inorganic salts, the stain reacts with minerals and lime in
the concrete aggregate, and the result of the reaction is
coloring. It works on new or old concrete, and is fairly durable
if you maintain it with sealer or wax, since it won't stain or
chip. It can also be applied to both interiors and exterior
floors. Walkways, bathrooms, entrances, driveways, living rooms
and patios are all fair game.
When it's finished, stained concrete looks a little like marble,
but more dappled and less uniform. The concrete will mostly be
earthy brown tones, with hints of red and green. It's possible
to make your own tint stain by mixing colors, or applying at
dissimilar rates. When you stain a concrete floor, though, don't
expect the stain to be uniform or have an even tone. Plan your
room décor and color scheme accordingly, because you'll get
dissimilar reactions from different areas of the
concrete, and
even a seasoned pro will be hard pressed to predict what the
final result will be.
Surface prep for acid staining concrete depends on what
condition your slab is in. Newly poured concrete only needs is
be allowed time for curing- three weeks after pouring- then some
rinsing and scrubbing. Older concrete is a different story.
Thorough cleaning is required because any dirt, grease, paint,
sealer or even curing agent will keep the stain from penetrating
and reacting as it should. Do a little test area to make sure
it's ready.
Newer poured concrete will require less stain than older floors,
but in general, a gallon of water added to one gallon of stain
will cover around 400 square feet. Apply the stain with a
non-metallic brush or broom, working in the cooler morning or
evening hours, rather than in the heat of the day. Be careful to
protect yourself from spillage, drips and fumes from the acid
stain, and follow the manufacturer's precautions.
After application, you need to cleanup by sweeping away any
leftover stain and residue with a broom. When the floor is
thoroughly dry, it is a good idea to apply a sealer agent and
then wax it.
If you are in the market for natural stone flooring, a new look
for your basement or patio, or just looking for new remodeling
ideas, stained concrete is something you should look into.
About the author:
Carlo Morelli is an author and contributor to OnlineTips.Org,
where you can read tips about ins
talling fiberglass insulation and home security
video equipment
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