concrete decor magazine | decorative concrete | concrete ......want the different color, strip away...

The Magic of Concrete “Disney Style”

VOL. 4 NO. 1 • FEBRUARY/MARCH 2004 • $6.95

Escape Routesfor WaterTips for Stamping

Going Vertical withOverlays

CIRCLE #16 ON READER SERVICE CARD

2 • www.ConcreteDecor.net • Feb/Mar 2004

February/March 2004 • Vol. 4 No. 1Issue No. 15 • $6.95

Publisher: Bent O. Mikkelsen

Co-publisher: Ernst H. Mikkelsen

Editor: Rosemary Camozzi

Assistant Editor: Harlan Baldridge

Circulation: Sheri Mikkelsen

Design and Production: Stephen Stanley

Web Design: Mark Dixon

National Sales Manager: Kathleen GoodmanWestern Regional Sales: Debbie Duhn

(314) 367-1121

Writers:Susan Brimo-CoxChristina Camara

Brad JeskeStacey Klemenc

John StriederDavid Thompson

Contributing Writers:Doug Carlton

Editorial:Professional Trade Publications, Inc.

3410 West 11th AvenueEugene, OR 97402Tel: 541-341-3390Fax: 541-341-6443

Email: [email protected]

Circulation and Administration:Professional Trade Publications, Inc.

P.O. Box 25210Eugene, OR 97402Tel: 541-341-3390Fax: 541-341-6443

Email: [email protected]

Concrete Decor The Journal of DecorativeConcrete is published six times a year by

Professional Trade Publications, Inc. Bulk ratepostage paid at Lebanon Junction, KY and

additional mailing offices.ISSN 1542-1597

Subscriptions:One year: USA $21.95; Canada $29.95;

Other countries $49.95. All funds in U.S.dollars.

For Subscriber Services:Call 866-341-3703 Toll Free

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© 2004 Professional Trade Publications, Inc.

www.concretedecor.netONTHE COVER: The Wilcox project,by Tom Ralston Concrete,features AntiqueAmber acid-stained concrete walls.The concrete patio was colored withTerracotta acid stain and features grouted joints. ((SSeeee ssttoorryy oonn ppaaggee 1100..))

Dear CCoonnccrreettee DDeeccoorr readers,

Ihave the distinct feeling this is shaping up to be anexciting year of growth for all of us. While variouseconomic challenges lurk ahead, we should

appreciate that being established businesses provides avantage point from which to observe, confront andtackle these challenges as they occur. The question foryou today is, what are you going to do about ’em?

There are those in life that see challengesapproaching and quickly respond with appropriatesolutions from a well-trained staff. There are thosewho see the challenges and ignore them, only torealize diminished earnings or failure when it’s too late. And there are those whosee challenges coming, ignore them, suffer in their presence, and fail to learn fromthe experience. Let me share a story that serves as an example.

In my freshman year of college at Sacramento State, I wandered about oncampus those first few weeks looking for things to do outside of my overwhelmingload of class work. Besides becoming a member of the Delta Chi fraternity that firstyear, I joined the newly formed rowing club, which later become an intercollegiatesport. Rowing was not only a great physical challenge, but also offered our schoolthe chance to compete with schools in the east such as Harvard and Yale. For me,that’s all it took. I was committed to this sport before my oars even hit the waternearly six grueling months later.

Two years later, I was sitting in a varsity boat, preparing to head off to San Diegofor the Crew Classic. That first year we beat Harvard in the semi-finals and a yearlater we beat Yale. I still have a newspaper clipping that shows us crossing thefinish line in first place. The headline reads “Sac State finishes first with only sevenseats.” That’s right, in our eight-man vessel the number five seat had broken lessthan halfway into the race. That number five seat was mine.

When a seat breaks, it has immediate, adverse effects on everyone in the boat. Itfrustrates the rhythm and focus of the team, and it can physically hurt people inthe boat or eject the oarsman because the speed of the boat forces the long oarhandle directly into the rower’s body. While everything short of being ejected hadits effect on me and the team, my diminished rowing capacity was compensated forsimply because our team was so well-trained and so committed to the goal ofwinning. Addressing this challenge head-on was the only option.

The team got a lot of valuable publicity for handling this problem during the raceand it helped us receive an incredible amount of financial support for betterequipment and better facilities. Today, Nimbus Dam, in Folsom, Calif., is recognizedthroughout the country as a premiere rowing facility. The facility also gives highschoolers in the area the opportunity to compete in this magnificent sport.

To come out on top when impending challenges are facing you, it’s crucial thatyour business be prepared. Managing your resources effectively and placingconsistent focus on training and education for your staff are probably the bestinvestment you can make to prepare for challenges. A healthy attitude and focuson maximizing your potential helps too.

Bent Mikkelsen, Publisher

http://www.ConcreteDecor.net

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.concretedecor.net

FEATURES14 Drainage for Decorative Concrete

From trench drains to catch basins and grates, here’s what youneed to keep standing water off your outside projects.by Susan Brimo-Cox

20 Going VerticalOverlays aren’t just for floors anymore. Take your stamping,stenciling and other artistic techniques and put ‘em on the wall.by David Thompson

26 Magical World of ConcretePhoto highlights from our tour of Disney World, plus the insidestory of how concrete makes the park what it is today.by Stacey Klemenc

38 The Basics of StampingWant to get in on the action? Here’s what you need to know toget started.by Susan Brimo-Cox

44 Maintaining Decorative ConcreteKeep your customers happy and earn some extra cash withcleaning and maintenance.by Christina Camara

DEPARTMENTS10 CONTRACTOR PROFILE: Tom Ralston Concrete

With a natural bent for innovation, this third-generation SantaCruz contractor brings a unique touch to his decorative work. by Brad Jeske

34 MANUFACTURER PROFILE: Versatile Building ProductsVersatility is the name of the game with this company’s floor anddecking products.by John Strieder

48 INDUSTRY FOCUS: Keep it Simple!by Doug Carlton

51 Advertisers Index50 Classifieds42 Concrete Marketplace04 Decorative Concrete Tips72 Final Pour06 Industry News08 Industry Spotlight — Association News52 Product News32 Product Profiles02 Publisher’s Letter

www.ConcreteDecor.net • Feb/Mar 2004 • 3

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Using Sealers to Create Color Effects

Although the main purpose of sealers is to beautify andprotect, some sealers can also be used for darkeningconcrete. Water-based sealers do not change the

color of the decorative concrete, but solvent-based sealersdarken the color by several shades. This darkening effect iscalled color saturation. The color saturation remains as long asthe seal coat is maintained. If the decorative project seems tohave “lost” its color, a new coat of solvent-based sealer willlikely restore the beautiful rich color.

On a project where different colors are desired, a simplesolution is to use a solvent sealer in the darker field and awater-based sealer or a stand-alone wax (for interior projects)in the lighter field. It is much easier to control and to correctthe sealers than to use stains or other products to producecolor. The color change produced by a sealer will alwaysperfectly coordinate with the original color. If the sealerwicks or bleeds, a bit of xylene or thinner can be used tocorrect the problem. Likewise, if you decide that you do notwant the different color, strip away the sealer and you areback to the original color.

Another way to change the color of decorative concrete isto use a pigmented sealer. Pigmented sealers come in avariety of types such as water-based, solvent-based, and

penetrating sealers. Pigmented sealers are usually translucentand will act to glaze over the original color. If you apply apigmented sealer that is the same color as the stain or colortype, the sealer will cause the original color to become moreuniform. This color layering will minimize any highlights orvariations in the color. If you change the color of the sealer,then you will change the color of the finished product.Always work with samples first to approve the effect.

There are new penetrating and pigmented sealersavailable that cause the color of the sealer to settle into thecrevices of the concrete. If you use a black or deep brownpenetrating sealer over decorative concrete with any pits,crevices, or texture, you will achieve a fabulous antiquingeffect. The pits, scratches, texture and surface imperfectionsallow the dark colored sealer to settle and accumulate. If, forexample, the decorative concrete is stamped brick or stainedand cut to look like stone, the dark sealer will settle in thepits and create the appearance of a brick or stone floor thathas been there for decades or longer.

—Shellie Rigsby is the owner of Concrete Stain Designs, in Plano, Texas.

DECORATIVECONCRETE TIPS

Decorative Concrete Tips is a forum for readers to exchangeinformation about methods,tools,and tricks they’ve devised.

Send details to CD Tips,CCoonnccrreettee DDeeccoorr,, P.O.Box 25210,Eugene,OR 97402.

We look forward to hearing from you!


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Industry New

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Kover Krete celebrates 15 years,expandsdistributionKover Krete Systems, headquartered in Orlando, Fla.,has reached two major milestones. Founded in 1989,the company is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Thisyear also brings Kover Krete’s rollout of a revamped andgreatly expanded network of distribution channels thatincludes many new wholesale distribution and retailoutlets. For the first time in its history, Kover KreteSystems’ products are readily accessible across Americaand in many foreign countries.

The new distribution network includes outlets rangingfrom Richard’s Paints retail stores in Florida to Sherwin-Williams stores from coast-to-coast. Additionally,swimming pool contractors now have access to thecomplete Kover Krete line through such outstandingdistributors as the Gorman Company, Superior PoolProducts and South Central Pools. And for the first timeever, Kover Krete Systems products are now available foron-site delivery through Cemex USA, one of the largestready mix producers in the world.

For more information, call (407) 246-7797 or visitwww.koverkrete.com.

White to lead Durand FormsDurand Forms Inc., a global leader in the manufacturingand marketing of aluminum wall-forming systems andaccessories, has announced the appointment of MichaelWhite to CEO and president of the company.

Most recently, White held the position ofgeneral manager at Traco Architectural Systems,a building products manufacturing company.White’s senior management positions haveincluded positions at: Swanson Inc., a$100 million food service and distributioncompany; Wirtz Manufacturing, a $50 millionmanufacturer of engineered equipment; AmarliteInc., a $30 million manufacturer of architecturalbuilding products; and others.

Durand is owned by Watermill Ventures, aprivate strategic investment firm, which focuses onacquiring middle-market companies. For moreinformation, please visit www.durandforms.com.

Kimble Mixer expands facilitiesKimble Mixer Company, a leading manufacturer ofrear-discharge concrete mixers and supplier ofreplacement drums and rebuild services, recentlycompleted a major expansion at both its mixer assemblyand fabricating plants.

Within the last year, Kimble has more than doubledits manufacturing and assembly space, added a ServiceAnnex that includes two five-ton overhead cranes, andadded 1,800 square feet to its Engineering Center.

“As a company that prides itself on innovation andresponding to customer needs,” says Jim Cahill,president and CEO, “the considerable investment inour Engineering Center continues to put Kimble’sdesign capabilities at the forefront of every product wedevelop. We now utilize many of the most up-to-datecomputer programming methods to interface with ourcustomers’ ideas and technologies, and will continue tomake the investment necessary to lead rather thanfollow.” For more information on Kimble Mixer, call(330) 339-2357 or visit www.kimblemixer.com.

Mapei adds sales support in TexasMapei is pleased to announce that Rick Walters hasbecome the company’s newest floor covering specialistfor the state of Texas. Rick has 20 years experience inthe floor covering industry, and will be workingalongside the Mapei technical sales representatives inthe major Texas cities.

Brian Haugh has also come on board as technicalsales representative for the Central Texas territory.Brian has over 10 years experience in the ceramicindustry. He was previously a manager for Daltile SSCin Austin, as well as more recently, territory manager forAmerican Tile Supply.

Rhodes and Ralstonpartner oncountertopsConcrete artist Buddy Rhodesand decorative concretecontractor Tom Ralston havebegun a new hands-onConcrete CountertopWorkshop series to teachinterested contractors,

craftsmen and artists how to make unique cast-in-placeand pre-cast countertops. Also featured will be BuddyRhodes’ signature “hand-pressed” technique, which heuses to create an extraordinary marble-like effect.

Originally a ceramicist, Buddy Rhodes abandonedhis potter’s wheel when he saw the strength, versatilityand architectural applicability of concrete. Hiscompany, Buddy Rhodes Studio, manufactures theBuddy Rhodes Concrete Countertop Mix.

Tom Ralston follows in the footsteps of his father andgrandfather, both concrete contractors in Santa Cruz,Calif. As president of Tom Ralston Concrete, hemanages 48 employees and about 275 jobs per year.

For more information, call the Buddy Rhodes Studioat (877) 706-5303 or Tom Ralston Concrete at (831)426-0342. Or, you can visit www.buddyrhodes.com orwww.tomralstonconcrete.com.


http://www.koverkrete.com

http://www.durandforms.com

http://www.kimblemixer.com

http://www.buddyrhodes.com

http://www.tomralstonconcrete.com

Lucky contractor wins brand new HummerAt the 2004 World of Concrete, George Kanistras of GeneralCaulking & Coatings Inc. of Ovieda, Fla., was handed a set ofkeys to a brand new HummerH2. Kanistras’ name wasdrawn as the grand prizewinner in Degussa BuildingSystems’ Sonneborn 100-YearAnniversary Celebration.

“I was just shocked when Iheard the news. This isn’tsomething you ever expect tohappen and it’s an overwhelming experience when it does,”Kanistras said. “The whole experience really shook me up.”

“Degussa wanted to share the excitement of our Sonneborn100-Year Anniversary with our customers,” said SteveOstermann, vice president of marketing for Degussa BuildingSystems. “Giving away this special vehicle, and the gifts fromthe Sonneborn 100 Year Rewards program, gave us anopportunity to thank our customers for 100 years of support.”

Helping celebrate in the excitement was a crowd ofcustomers that overflowed into the isles surrounding the Degussabooth. On hand to show their support and to congratulateKanistras were John Salvatore, president and CEO of DegussaConstruction Chemicals America, and Mike Galasso, presidentand CEO of Degussa Building Systems.






PORTLAND CEMENTASSOCIATIONTeam Concrete Honored forExcellencePortland Cement Association andTeam Concrete have been honoredwith an Award of Excellence by theAmerican Society of AssociationExecutives (ASAE). “Team Concrete:Building Community” was among 12association programs recognized in thefirst round of judging in the 2004Associations Advance America(AAA) Awards program.

Team Concrete is a communityrelations program that focuses onbringing the many advantages of high-quality concrete homes to affordablehousing initiatives such as Habitat forHumanity. More information can befound at www.teamconcrete.org.

AMERICAN CONCRETEINSTITUTEACI offers new info onconcrete repairThe American Concrete Institute isoffering valuable “how-to” documentsfor five commonly used concrete repairs.These documents will be available, freeof charge, for a limited time on theAmerican Concrete Institute’s website— www.concrete.org.

The bulletins cover the followingtopics:● Structural Crack Repair by Epoxy

Injection● Crack Repair by Gravity Feed with

Resin● Spall Repair by Low-Pressure

Spraying● Surface Repair Using Form-and-

Pour Techniques● Surface Repair Using Form-and-

Pump Techniques

Each bulletin gives a concisedescription of the repair method,

milestone when the 1,000th readymixed concrete mixer-truck driverbecame certified under the program.More than 1,000 additional drivers arecurrently preparing for the certificationexam.

The program supplements acompany’s existing driving trainingprogram and reinforces knowledge ofproducts, environmental compliance,customer relations, safety, and vehiclemaintenance and operations.

After completing CDP programs,producers have reported improveddriver morale and higher retention aswell as fewer accidents and returnedloads. Deliveries per hour have beendocumented to increase by as much as14 percent. One company documented$1 million in savings from reducedworkers’ compensation payments.

Glenn Ochsenreiter, NRMCA’svice president of marketing, notes thatone growing benefit of driver certifi-cation is to maintain access to keymarkets. “Government agencies areincreasingly requiring certification ofsuppliers so they can provide less directoversight,” he said. “These agencies arestrongly supporting NRMCA’s drivercertification program because it is anobjective and impartial confirmationthat established national industrystandards are maintained — somethingthat companies cannot communicateconvincingly based only on their ownassessment.”

RMC elects MartineauThe RMC Research Foundation,dedicated to research and enhancingthe educational opportunities of theready mixed concrete industry, haselected longtime industry executiveEugene Martineau as chairman of itsboard of trustees for 2004. A founder ofU.S. Concrete, Martineau has servedas its president, CEO and a director

Industry SpotlightAssociation News

including the purpose of the repair,when it should be used, needed surfacepreparation, material and equipmentselection, and safety considerations.Step-by-step procedures will helprepair technicians do their jobscorrectly. For additional information,contact the American ConcreteInstitute at (248) 848-3800.

AMERICAN SOCIETY OFCONCRETE CONTRACTORSPosition papers offer insighton concreteASCC has published three newposition papers: “Birdbaths onConcrete Slabs” (#7) explains whybirdbaths are an unavoidable result of aflatness tolerance. “Bugholes in FormedConcrete” (#8) deals with acceptanceof formed concrete surfaces. “SlabThickness Tolerances” (#9) citesstatistical data from as-built slabs andconcludes that tolerances for slabthickness, as defined in ACI 117-90,are not realistic.

“The position papers deal with issuesthat constantly cause concern forconcrete contractors,” says D. ThomasRuttura, ASCC president. “We’re oftenheld responsible for circumstancesbeyond our control. The better we canexplain to designers and specifiers whatcan and cannot be expected fromconcrete, the more likely we are tohave a successful project.”

Copies of the position statementsmay be ordered by calling (866) 788-2722 or by e-mail [email protected].

NATIONAL READY MIXEDCONCRETE ASSOCIATIONNRMCA certifies 1,000thdriverThe Concrete Delivery Professional(CDP) certification program offered bythe NRMCA recently passed a

http://www.teamconcrete.org

http://www.concrete.org




since its inception in 1998. Hepreviously served as executive vicepresident of Southdown Inc., and hasmore than 35 years experience in theready mixed concrete and relatedindustries.

He has been very active in theindustry, serving as past director andmember of the Executive Committeeof the NRMCA, among otherpositions. He has also been a memberof the National Steering Committee ofthe Concrete Industry ManagementSchool at Middle Tennessee StateUniversity since its inception in 1996.

Site sheds light on politicalissues affecting industryThe NRMCA and GraceConstruction Products have teamed upto provide a new Grassroots section onthe association’s recently redesignedWeb site. The Grassroots section isdesigned to inform NRMCA membersand other people in the concreteindustry about important politicalissues affecting the construction andbusiness communities. It providesinformation about candidates runningfor office and their positions on issuesof importance to the industry. Visitwww.nrmca.org for more information.

INTERNATIONAL CONCRETEREPAIR INSTITUTEPublication offers info onpolymer flooringThe ICRI has released a new guide fordesigning, installing and maintainingprotective polymer flooring systems forconcrete. It contains detailedinformation on the aspects of flooringtechnology, performance properties,surface preparation requirements,

installation procedures and testing tohelp the user attain long-term servicefrom a variety of polymer flooringsystems for a wide range ofapplications.

The guideline is intended to be aresource for manufactures, specifiers,applicators, and facility owners who

specify protective polymer flooringsystems for concrete.

The cost of the guide, #03741, is$25 for ICRI members and $42 fornonmembers. It can be purchased bycalling (248) 848-3809 or visiting thePublications section of www.icri.org.



http://www.nrmca.org

http://www.icri.org

http://www.fritzpak.com


Tom RalstonConcrete,Santa Cruz,Calif.

Northern California’s sceniccoastline has drawn manylocal teenagers to a life of

surfing and adventure, and Tom Ralstonwas no exception. His father, however,had different ideas for his future.

“When I started surfing,” Ralstonsays, “my father said he wasn’t going tohave a beach bum living at his house.”That was the summer of 1964 … almost40 years ago.

Consequently, Ralston learned theconcrete trade, working beside his dad ondriveways, curbs and gutters, sidewalks,and small foundations. “Every once in awhile I would get to jackhammerconcrete with a big 90-poundjackhammer. As a boy I was really short,so that thing was about as high as I was.”

But as a third generation concretecontractor (his grandfather, WilburThomas Ralston, started the business in1928), Ralston harbored the idea ofquitting the business altogether. “I wassick and tired of the same mundaneconcrete,” he says. “If it wasn’t fordecorative concrete I wouldn’t be in theindustry today.”

Ralston took over the companywhen his father retired in 1989. “Myfather had actually retired in 1987 andthe business was almost dormant —until I was asked to do a decorativeproject for a Victorian restorationproject that had some cool concretework,” he says. He put a small three-man team together and finished theproject — and found a particular thrillfrom building a team and doing creativeconcrete on his own.

ContractorProfile

ContractorProfile

Tom Ralstonaddresses anenthusiasticaudience atWorld ofConcrete 2004.

A passion for innovation keepsthis third-generation contractor

excited about the trade.by Brad Jeske


Fifteen years later, Tom RalstonConcrete, based in Santa Cruz, Calif.,incorporates four divisions. Thestructural division handles hillsides,complicated foundations, structural slabs,and retaining walls. The decorativedivision does stamped concrete, patios,pool decks and hardscapes. The masonrydivision takes care of brick, blocks,flagstones, pizza ovens, firepits andfireplaces. Finally, the specialty divisionoffers acid staining, thin-toppingoverlays, decorative interior floors overradiant heat, polished concrete andconcrete countertops.

“We are involved in many divisionsof concrete and masonry, and it allowsus to create a unique blending ofhardscape surfaces,” Ralston says.

Many creative innovations havehelped set his company apart from therest. For example, he was asked to repaira wall that was a favorite spot forskateboarders who used it to practicetheir jumping and “railing” techniques.Ralston created a mold of a seashell,cast a series of replicas with Ardexpolymer concrete, coated them with acopper-laden epoxy and then attachedthem to the wall with rebar. The wall’sstraight edge was now gone, and thedisgruntled skateboarders moved on.

Another project that pushed thecreative envelope was the re-creation ofan ocean-like setting within an entirehome interior. Interior concrete wallswere constructed to look like cliffs withnatural fissures, and multiple blendingsof acid-stained concrete thatincorporated beach glass, sea shells andaquarium sand were used on the floors,along with sandblasting and stenciling.Many of the surfaces were juxtaposedwith stainless steel, exotic hardwoodand stucco, creating dramatic results.The project caused a stir among localswho visited the home and has also beenfeatured in more than a half dozenmagazines and newspapers.

On another project, Ralston got intoa swimming pool with a group ofplasterers and had his helper hand himbuckets of various color hardeners sothat he could throw and mix them into




panels are Victorian Swirl finish with aSandstone color hardener.”

All this data can be entered into theprogram, and with one click of the buttona bid is created. “Although the programwas expensive and took some time todevelop in-house, it has brought a hugebenefit to TRC,” he says. “For example,we can track pours, and mix designs,record client conversations, checkpayment schedules, and more. It even hasa place to record the temperature of theconcrete and note what the weather waslike on the day of the pour. We constantlyfeed it with information to help us growour business intelligently.” The softwarewas a $60,000 investment.

Ralston believes that most peopleworking in the decorative concreteindustry are pioneers. “You can becomevery creative out of necessity when youhave $15,000 or $20,000 on the line,”he says.

Recently, while working on a thin-top overlay, the wind started blowingbits of bark onto the site. “The piecesdidn’t really reveal themselves until wepoured the Ardex. Because the bark wasmuch lighter than the Ardex, theybegan to float to the surface. WithArdex we only have about twentyminutes and after that you are done.”

The crew had to get on their handsand knees to fish out all the bits of bark.“The longer you wait, the harder it gets.Trowel marks will remain and theproduct refuses to self level,” Ralstonsays. “We had one area that had all ofthese trowel lines. The next day wewent in and cut score lines every twofeet on center. After, we sanded thetrowel lines that were most noticeable,and made it look like a pattern that wasdesigned in the entry.” In thedecorative industry, one needs to beinventive out of necessity, he says,adding that “many a project gone awryhas prompted us to restore it with acreative effort.”

In early 1992, after listening to aweatherman say that there were possiblelight showers in the late afternoon northand 75 miles away, Ralston poured fourdriveways in a subdivision only to get

the white plaster mix. “After about anhour of that those plaster guys wantedto kill me,” Ralston says, but he finallyconvinced them, in his best Spanish,that the owner wouldn’t pay anyoneunless he was able to make theswimming pool look like an ocean tidepool. They allowed him to continueand the results were applauded.

Ralston uses a myriad of differentcoloring systems, including dust-oncolors, acid and acrylic stains, anduniversal tints, as well as colors from amultitude of different manufacturers.“On certain projects we have gone to artstores and bought tubes of acrylic paint,

mixed them, and used them with seasponges to go onto floors,” he says. “Thenwe sealed them with a goodpolyurethane.” On one project, Ralstonran out of black color and used shoepolish. “That was six years ago and it isstill black.”

He has been creative behind thescenes as well, where he and his officestaff have developed a software packagecalled Job Manager. “This softwareallows the entry of literally thousands ofdetail items,” he explains. “We mayhave a house that has a driveway withbands that are Oyster White withAntique Amber acid stain, and the



hammered by driving rains shortly after10:30 A.M. “We shortly thereafter became‘experts in polymer overlays’” Ralstonsays with a grin, “and even pulled in a bitof profit on the job.”

When you’re working with as fickle amedium as concrete, you always have toprepare for the unexpected, he says,especially when you consider thevariables of inaccurate concrete batches,admixtures, acid stains that don’tpromote a good color, or concrete colorbatches from a ready mix plant that varyfrom one batch to the next. So how doesa contractor minimize these issues?

Take notes while on the job, he says,so that when problems arise there’s adatabase of information that can bereferenced. He is a strong advocate ofkeeping an eye on details, holding weeklymeetings with his lead employees.

He also sends his lead workers tooutside seminars as often as possible.Ralston himself has been teaching atdecorative concrete training seminars fornearly 10 years. He speaks at industryconferences for the Decorative ConcreteCouncil (and serves on the board) andspoke this year at the World of Concreteon concrete countertops and acidstaining. He has recently teamed up withcountertop manufacturer Buddy Rhodesof San Francisco to do training seminarsfor concrete countertops.

Managing 52 employees in variousdivisions provides a unique challenge,he says. To have a successful team, youmust have people who can bring bothtalent and work ethic to the job.“Without work ethic, they aren’t goingto bring the project to the level weexpect,” he says. “Without talent orexperience, they can’t pull it off becausethey aren’t at that level yet.”

Over the last fifteen years, he hasseen lots of turnover because employeesjust didn’t fit into the company culture.“They either didn’t have the workethic, talent, or the temperament, sothey didn’t last here. We try to promoteour culture as being cooperative andrespectful, but we drive hard too. It’s thenature of the beast, and concretedoesn’t wait for anyone.”

Positive values, friendly service andquality work are the cornerstones of thecompany.

“It is so easy to make an ordinary jobextraordinary,” Ralston says. “Just addsome decorative deep joints or round astep … there are hundreds of things youcan do for little or no extra cost andclients will love you for it.”

But operating a decorative concretecompany and trying to be on the cutting

edge is tricky, he says. “Our ultimategoal is to put a smile on our clients’ face,but we have had to learn the hard waythat the flip side of this goal is to beprofitable at the same time. So manydecorative projects can easily run overbudget. There are a lot of starving artistsout there — and we really don’t want tobe one of them.”




Drain Systemsto the Rescue:KKeeeepp yyoouurr ddeeccoorraattiivvee wwoorrkk ddrryyby Susan Brimo-Cox

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Drain Systemsto the Rescue:KKeeeepp yyoouurr ddeeccoorraattiivvee wwoorrkk ddrryyby Susan Brimo-Cox



If rain, swimming pool water,landscape runoff or other liquidspose hazards to your decorative

concrete work, consider adding adrainage system to your project. Waterand liquids naturally want to run tolow spots. Drains, when properlyselected and installed, quickly captureand transfer liquids away from the site,reducing standing water on thedecorative surface. Not only can thisenhance the longevity of your work, itmakes the surface safer for pedestriansand traffic by reducing slip hazard.

There are many kinds of drainsystems. However, the systems typicallyused by concrete contractors fall intotwo categories: trench or channeldrains and catch basin or point drains.

Trench and channel drains“The most efficient way to catch sheetwater is trench drains,” reports TomSimon, national sales manager forAdvanced Building Technologies Inc.in Troutman, N.C.

While the terms channel andtrench drains are often usedinterchangeably, there is a difference.

Jeff Tyler, drainage and landscapemarketing manager for NationalDiversified Sales Inc. in WoodlandHills, Calif., explains that channeldrains are generally intended forresidential or commercial use. They areextruded or molded out of plastic in10- or 20-foot lengths. Though U-shaped with a grate, channel drainsusually have a flat bottom, with nobuilt-in slope or pitch. Design-buildcontractors, landscape contractors anddeck contractors often use channeldrains, which can frequently be foundat the “big box” stores or at wholesaledistributors.

Trench drains are generally used incommercial and industrialapplications, Tyler explains. “Theyhave a pre-designed slope or pitch builtin to each piece. … They can be pre-made or cast in concrete on site.” Theslope is usually a 0.7 percent to 2percent grade. Trench drains, Tyler

Tips from the prosBud Stegmeier, co-owner of Stegmeier Corp. in Henderson, Nev., shares thesetips for using channel drains and point drains in swimming pool applications:● If you can’t easily drain water away into planter areas or the landscape,

channel drains are the preferred way to take water away from a pool area.Channel drains take away the surge of water faster than point drains.

● Don’t use channel drains as expansion joints. The concrete slabs could pinch,slip or sheer them.

● If you install one-piece channel drains, leave the protective tape on the grateduring installation. Remove it later.

● If you install two-piece channel drain with removable top grates, stagger thegrates with the channel to help ensure good alignment.

● If you are setting long runs of channel drain, it may be advisable to useperiodic down adapters to underground plumbing to speed removal of water.

● Point drains often solve drainage problems in difficult areas. For example, ifyou have a peninsula inset into a pool and it is not accessible for a channeldrain, you may have to use a point drain. Another example is if you have afree-form or radius wall and you need to move water away from that spot; youmight not be able to use a channel drain, but a point drain could work.

Dave Pettigrew, owner of Diamond D Concrete in Capitola, Calif., says there isnothing worse than having a “duck pond” — water puddle up — on a finisheddecorative concrete project. You have to be creative in mitigating waterproblems, he says. He shares some of his tips:● Locate drain grates in inconspicuous spots or let them work into your design.

Decorative grates can be selected that coordinate or accent the decorativeconcrete work.

● A cross slope between 1 percent and 2 percent drains water, but is not toosteep for pedestrian traffic. It’s best to keep within the parameters of theAmericans with Disabilities Act.

● If you have to run drain pipe under a slab, situate it as low as you can — youdon’t want the slab right on top of it. If necessary, use a heavy-walled drainpipe. If the pipe is too flexible, the concrete slab will crack over it.

● At turns, don’t use 90-degree elbows, use sweeps. Dirt usually settles where itslows down at hard turns.

● Make sure water in the drain pipes is draining, not sitting or runningbackwards.

observes, typically have a roundedbottom to prevent debris from accumu-lating. Pre-manufactured trench drainsare usually made of heavy-gauge plasticor polymer-modified concrete.

Lesley Pickering, marketingcoordinator for ACO PolymerProducts Inc. in Chardon, Ohio,cautions contractors that not allsystems are compatible with all pavingmaterials, though most are compatiblewith concrete. “The only problem theymay have is where the trench materialdoes not have a similar coefficient of

expansion as the surrounding concreteor paving material,” she says. If thetrench system material expands andcontracts at a different rate than thesurrounding paving material, theremay be buckling or distortion.

Trench and channel drains workwell in many situations. In residentialsettings you frequently find thembetween a sloping driveway and agarage entrance or along a straightretaining wall. In commercial andindustrial settings they can be used tocontrol storm runoff and chemical



spills. The size of the drain system andthe material the drain is made of —plastic, polymer concrete or some othermaterial — depends entirely on theliquid and quantity you will bedraining away from the site.

Pre-cast or cast in place?Should you use a pre-formed trenchdrain or cast it yourself?

Pickering points out that castingtrench drains in place is very laborintensive and the resulting drain is ofinconsistent quality. While product costsare low, labor and materials to create theforms can be high. On the other hand,she says, pre-cast trench drains are fairlysimple and quick to install. And whilethe product costs are higher, the savingson pipe and labor often compensate.

which impedes and limits thehydraulics.

“When a contractor forgets toinclude drainage in the estimate iswhen one might end up doing it byhand; figuring they can handle thelabor loss more than paying for the pre-formed products,” Simon says. “Orthey think they can do it for less.”

Catch basins and pointdrainsIf you have sufficient contour to thesite or you can’t use a channel ortrench drain, a catch basin or pointdrain may be the drainage system youneed to use. Both of these systemsrequire the concrete to slope to acentral point for water collection,and plumbing is necessary under the

Simon, also, points to the labor sideof the equation. When laying a straightrun with minimal turns, he says, “Fourgood carpenters will do well to build 50to 100 feet in a day of trench drain.Contractors using modular trenchdrains could do 300 to 500 feet.”

He also observes that building byhand also results in a larger drain — bynecessity — and slower flow. “If youbuild by hand, you’ll typically have atleast 12 inches to facilitate formconstruction and removal,” Simonsays. By comparison, he explains, a 4-inch pre-made polymer-concretetrench will give you the samehydraulics as a 12-inch pouredconcrete drain because it has asmoother interior. Poured concrete hasa rougher surface, creating turbulence,

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concrete to drain water away fromthe site.

A point or area drain is set upmuch like a shower drain, with asmall grate in the center. A singledrain pipe leads water away, thoughthe pipe may have several pointdrains located along its run.

A catch basin is a catchmentreceptacle with outlet ports set into theground at the base of a basin. Pipes areattached to the outlet ports to channelwater away from the site.

These are not the easiest drains toinstall. Pickering points out theyrequire “complex four-way grades towork effectively.” Also, while productcosts are usually low, “The additionalcost of extensive pipes and excavationcosts are often ‘forgotten,’” she adds.

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Choosing a grateMany factors are involved in choosinga grate — not just cost.

Load rating is a critical factor, saysTyler. “The grating needs to supportthe application.”

When evaluating load rating, Tyleradvises that you consider the weight andsize of vehicles, the speed of approach ofthe vehicles, and if the vehicles havepneumatic or hard tires. A grate youintegrate with a walkway or drivewaymay require only a “light traffic rating.”On the other hand, the hard tires offorklifts are tough abuse for a grate,requiring a heavier “H-20 load rating.”

If you’re not sure about a grate’s loadrating, talk to the manufacturer aboutyour project’s specifics. Tyler explains,“I would rather have the call before the

job, rather than after an improperlyinstalled grate breaks.”

Durability is also important.Pickering asks, “Are the trench andgrate materials resistant to theliquids/chemicals being drained?”Grates are made from a wide range ofmaterials, including plastic, brass, castiron, ductile iron and stainless steel.The load rating also may be dependenton the durability of the grate material.

Aesthetics usually come in to playafter load and durability factors areconsidered. If cost is an issue initially,remember that grates can often bechanged out later and upgraded to amore desired material, finish or design.Other user issues may involve safety —including Americans with DisabilitiesAct requirements — and security



issues, such as how easy is it to removethe grate.

Remember the keyelementsEngineers and architects usually do thehomework up front and specify the

necessary drainage recommendationsfor commercial and industrial projects.Design-build and residentialcontractors may not have that benefit.But making smart decisions aboutdrainage systems is not hard if you keepin mind a few key factors.

In choosing a drain system for aparticular application, first determinethe hydraulic performance required —this will tell you the size drain youneed. Then look at the site itself.Space limitations and sloping issueswill drive the selection of a drain type.

CIRCLE #08 ON READER SERVICE CARDCIRCLE #66 ON READER SERVICE CARD

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As Bud Stegmeier, co-owner ofStegmeier Corp. in Henderson, Nev.,points out, if you use multiple pointdrains, you’ll have to deal with the upsand downs of multiple bowls, whereas“with a trench drain you’ll still havethe slope [and] it won’t be level, but itwill be flat.”

In selecting a grate, be sure toconsider loading factors, durabilityissues and user requirements.

For more information ondrainage systems,visit theseWeb sites:ACO Polymer Products Inc.

www.acousa.comAdvanced Building Technologies Inc.

www.abtdrains.comMultiDrain Systems

www.multidrainsystems.comNational Diversified Sales Inc.

www.ndspro.comStegmeier Corp.

www.stegmeier.com


Finally, don’t forget that drainagesystems need maintenance andcleaning. With trench drains, you canaccess the entire system through thegrate and debris can be easily flushedto the catch basin for removal orshoveled clean, reports Pickering.Maintenance on catch basin or pointdrain systems is trickier because pipesare buried; blockages can be difficult tolocate and remove.

When choosing among the manyproducts available in the marketplace,Steve Born, operations manager ofMultiDrain Systems Inc. of Erlanger,Ky., recommends that contractors lookat ease of installation, labor costs, thesystem cost and the time it takes toinstall. Also helpful is making sure themanufacturer has the technical staffavailable to answer any questions youmay have — before you get started andas your project progresses.


http://www.acousa.com

http://www.abtdrains.com

http://www.multidrainsystems.com

http://www.ndspro.com

http://www.stegmeier.com


When it comes to cementitiousoverlays, gravity doesn’t have tokeep you down.

Just as overlays can radically restyle floors andcountertops, so too can they transform interiorand exterior walls, as well as chimneys, planters,pillars and other upright surfaces. From stamps tostencils, stucco to faux Venetian plaster, verticaloverlays allow for a broad variation in styles.

Today’s vertical overlays can adhere directly toa wide variety of substrates, including concrete,masonry, ceramic tile, wood, steel and drywall.They range in thickness from paper-thin skimcoats to stampable coatings up to four inches deep.

Some products are formulated specifically to goon vertically without sagging, while others can bemodified to do so, either by mixing them morethickly or with additives. Still others are designedto be used either horizontally or vertically with nomodification in between.

Vertical overlays can be applied throughconventional methods such as troweling, rolling orspraying. In general the process for overlaying awall is the same as for overlaying a floor. But thereare new wrinkles to think through, points out RonBorum, executive vice president of the Miracotedivision of Crossfield Products Corp. “You have tocome up with a delivery system from the bucket tothe vertical surface without spilling it on thehorizontal surface,” he says. “And you’ve got tofigure out a mechanism to get to the verticalsurface, usually scaffolding or a traveling stage. Orif you’re really smart, you do it on a tilt-up wallwhen the wall’s still down.”

Netting, lath used for reinforcementAs with any overlay, proper preparation of thesubstrate is critical when going vertical. Forapplications directly onto a substrate, a primerwith a bonding agent is typically used. Whenseams or joints are present, as in drywall and wood,taping and/or mudding is done to prevent thejunctures from showing through the coating.

Mesh netting is often applied to the substrate(using adhesive) to bridge cracks and serve as areinforcing mechanism. “In the old days they usedto use the jute bags that your corn came in,” saysBorum. “Now it’s usually polypropylene mesh nets,or fiberglass mesh nets.”

Expanded diamond metal lath is anothercommonly-used reinforcing mechanism, especiallyfor wood substrates, which are highly subject tomovement. Lath is also used when a holdingmechanism is called for with some thicker overlays.

Going VerticalExperts share some straight-upadvice on overlaysby David Thompson

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Some contractors use Glass Fiber ReinforcedConcrete (GFRC) to boost a vertical overlay’sdurability. It’s used regularly by David Long,president of the Lakeland Company, an Idaho-based firm that specializes in theme constructionfor clients such as casinos, zoos and museums.“We’ll combine chopped glass in our mix to bondeverything together and allow it to flex withoutcracking and chipping and so forth,” he says.

Long is a big proponent of lath, too, especiallyin freeze-thaw climates. He’s so sold on lath’ssuperiority as a mechanical attachment that heeven uses it for overlays on drywall. “It’sunorthodox, to say the least, but it works and itlasts,” he says. “Yeah, it costs more. But how muchdoes it cost to come back continuously to fixchunks that are falling off the wall?”

Plenty of room for individualityThe looks achievable with vertical overlays arelimited largely by the imagination. “You can let yourmind run wild,” says Gary Jones, president ofColormaker Floors in Vancouver, Canada. Onecreative texturing technique Jones used to age a wallinvolved gently bruising it with a sock full of nails.

Applying multiple layers of skim coat is a popularapproach for interior walls. Borrowing an old Italianplastering technique, Jones has gotten nice results bycovering a coarse base coat with a fine finish coat.“The material underneath shows through, yet thefiner material fills the gaps,” he says.

Rick Smith, of Richard Smith CustomConcrete in Los Angeles, typically uses threecoats of varied coarseness. The first coat, whichfills depressions on the substrate, contains sandranging from 30 to 60 grit. The second coat,which tightens edges and fills low spots, has sandranging from 60 to 120 grit. For the final coat,Smith might go with anything from 120-gritsand to a powdery-fine silica flour. “In most casesout here in California, people want a tight-troweled finish or a really clean, almost mirroredfinish,” he says.

When multiple skim coats are used, depth andtexture is best attained when layers are applied asthinly as possible, says Rick Reinking, a technicalrepresentative for the Seattle-based RuddCompany. “You can build it up thicker, but then itstarts to look like paint,” Reinking says. “It’s notgoing to have any depth or translucency.”

The overlay Reinking applied to the walls of hisown office, by the way, consists of varying shadesof purple. The outside of his office is done in acementitious stucco. “I just put on a pair of latex

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gloves and a pair of cotton gloves over that andwiped it on by hand,” he says.

Stamping,stenciling go vertical tooStucco may have once been en vogue for exteriors,but stenciling, done in a variety of brick and stonepatterns, has become a popular application thesedays. A natural grout look can be achieved byleaving the first coat uncolored and applying atinted layer over it. Adhesive-backed stencils workparticularly well on vertical surfaces.

Stamping has grown in popularity in recentyears with the advent of new products designedspecifically for verticals and ranging in depth from1⁄4 inch up to four inches. A variety of stone, blockand brick effects can be achieved with off-the-



shelf stamping tools, but sometimes stamps can beimprovised.

When David Long needs wood textures in histheme construction, for instance, he turns tolumber. “We’ll cut it to the dimensions we need,sandblast the face to raise the grain, and use theactual lumber for a stamp,” he says.

Hand tooling, or carving, is another optionwith some vertical overlay materials. Sharp-edgedtools can be used to create scores, designs and evenrelief sculpture while the coating is still in itsplastic stage. “I’ve seen everything done from acoat of arms to a family’s actual features,” says BillTott, technical director of ArcusStone, aCalifornia-based overlay manufacturer. “One ofour artists carved a whole family — four faces —right on the pillars of a fireplace.”

Cementitious overlays can also be applied toextruded polystyrene forms cut to replicatearchitectural stone details, such as arches,columns, windows and door surrounds. Not onlydo cementitiously-coated forms represent a cost-effective means of achieving elegant effects, theyalso weigh a heck of a lot less than the actualarticles. “You can literally stick some of thesethings on with adhesive instead of mechanicalanchors and ties,” Tott says.





Color tipsThe same coloring materials used on horizontaloverlays can also be used vertically, such as integralcolors, acid stains or even broadcast hardeners.However, some adjustment in application techniquemay be required, especially with liquids. When RickSmith sprays acid stain onto vertical overlays, forinstance, he slightly increases his compressor’s psi,stands a little farther from the surface and applies thesolution in a finer mist. He follows up by blotting thesurface with a crumpled lambs-wool chamois to takeout any runs, then hits wet spots hiding in cracksand crevices with a dry terrycloth. Or sometimes hejust throws dry sawdust up on freshly-stained walls tosoak up excess moisture, then washes it off later.

Sealing is essentialTo protect new overlays from abuse of theelements, sealing is crucial. All the principles ofsealing floors apply to sealing walls, though fewercoats ordinarily suffice where foot traffic’s not aconcern. Solvent-based acrylic sealers with mattefinishes are a popular choice, especially for interiorwalls. Glossy finishes are sometimes used forexteriors, where they matte down with time.

In commercial areas such as restaurants, wherecontact between vertical surfaces and greasy-

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handed employees can be expected, urethane- orepoxy-based sealers may be warranted. “If there’sever a concern for a lot of wear and tear, upgrade,”says Wes Vollmer of Alternative Finishes in SanAntonio, Texas. Vollmer adds that when he bidson such jobs, he points out to the architects thathe’s included the higher-cost sealers, which cansubstantially raise material costs.

For a different look, Rick Smith occasionallyuses beeswax or even automobile wax as a sealer,which gives a satiny finish that you can’t get withconventional sealers, he says. “It gives you thisreally bitchin’ Old-World look.”

Interior vertical overlays should be resealedevery three to five years, while exteriors should beresealed every two or three years.

Despite the similarities between vertical andhorizontal overlays, contractors well-versed infloors shouldn’t jump straight into walls withoutdoing some mock-ups first. “Go out in the garageand get an old piece of sheetrock or plywood andmimic a wall,” says Vollmer, who has mastered avariety of vertical applications, including a fauxVenetian plaster. “I always tell guys, practicemakes perfect.”

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It’s All in the Detailsby Stacey Enesey Klemenc

PictureThis:DDiissnneeyy TToouurrooff CCoonnccrreettee22000044

If you think you’ve got fastidious clients whowant a particular shade of this and just the righttexture of that, hold on to your mouse ears. As

sure as supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is thelongest word in the English language, few peopleare as meticulous as the folks at Disney.

For example, let’s take the courtyardbetween the large likenesses of Lady andthe Tramp at the new Disney’s PopCentury Resort in Orlando, Florida. “Wewere given a tape of the movie and weretold to watch it,” says Steve Martin,regional manager of key accounts forL.M. Scofield Company, which suppliedmuch of the stains, color hardeners,stamping tools, skins and otherincidentals that were used to create thehardscapes at the resort. “All the colorsand textures used for that streetscapewere taken from that film. They had tomatch exactly.”

To create Animal Kingdom, whichfeatures a safari ride, Martin says he wasgiven five samples of dirt from theSerengeti, a plain in northwest Tanzaniawhere there is a large wildlife reserve. Scofielddeveloped custom-matched color hardeners andalso matched the textures with concrete to makethe park’s hardscapes look like rugged terrain.

And, unless someone pointed it out, youprobably had no idea it wasn’t. The rudimentary-looking roadways have ruts, dips and deep tiretracks. “On the safari ride, the trucks are riding oncast-in-place concrete, not mud,” Martin says. JoeRhody, the lead designer for Disney, dubbed therustic concrete “designer dirt.”

Martin says he and others involved with Disneyprojects work closely with the Imagineering team— the master planning, creative development,design, engineering, production, projectmanagement and research and development arm ofThe Walt Disney Co. In short, Martin explains,“They’re Disney’s think tank.”

From concept through installation, they’re theones behind the creation of all Disney resorts, themeparks and attractions, real estate developments,

One of thehighlights of theTour ofConcrete atDisney World —

which was hosted byCCoonnccrreettee DDeeccoorr as aprelude to the 2004World of Concrete inOrlando — included aguided tour of theattraction’s newestresort area,Pop Century.

A walkoverbridge at PopCenturyfeaturesstenciledconcrete.

The tourwouldn’t have

been completewithout a trip

to view theconcrete decor

aroundCinderella

Castle in theMagic

Kingdom.



Disney’s Pop Century Resort,which celebrates popculture of the 20th century in a big way, is a colorfuladdition to the attraction’s hotel lineup.

Five lucky tour participants tookhome digital cameras,courtesy ofthe L.M.Scofield Company:(fromleft) Bud Buffing of Hilltop BasicResources Inc. in Cincinnati;NormanKemp of Baker Concrete in Orlando;andRick Henning of Blue Diamond Servicesnear Philadelphia.

Although the roads at Disney’sKilimanjaro Safari game preserve looklike crude unpaved roadways,they actuallyare crafted out of concrete.

All tourparticipants went home

with a T-shirt,compliments ofCCoonnccrreettee DDeeccoorr

magazine.

The concretenear the ’60s-themed HippyDippy Pool atPop CenturyResort featuresbright customcolors createdwith Scofield’sLithochromecolor hardener.

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CCoonnccrreettee DDeeccoorr’’ss publisher,BentMikkelsen,and Sherry White ofL.M.Scofield Company addressthose gathered for cocktails anddinner at Epcot.



regional entertainment venues and new mediaprojects. And, above all, “Those guys are all aboutdetail. Everything has to be just so,” he says.

The scoop on Pop CenturyAccording to Jeff Kelly, a project manager withCentex Rooney who served as assistant projectmanager on the Pop Century Resort project, 124colors and 45 custom-matched caulk colors wereused to complete the hardscape for Phase I of theresort, which focuses on the pop culture of eachdecade of the last 50 years of the 20th century. (Notimetable has been set to begin Phase II, which willhighlight the 1900s through the 1940s.)

Of the wide array of colors used, “I’d say 15 to 20colors were off-the-shelf Scofield colors,” Kellyestimates. “The rest were custom matched to colorchips” or to specific shades on the Pantone color key.

Ground was broken on Phase I of the PopCentury project in June 1999 and completed inApril 2002. Between April 2001 and April 2002,Kelly says, they poured just over 9,000 cubic yardsand hand finished 450,000 square feet of concrete.Of the overall $128 million contract, $3.4 millionwas devoted to the hardscape package.

Phase I of Pop Century included 10 lodgebuildings and 2,880 rooms, six pool buildings andfour pools — one shaped like a bowling pin in the’50s section, another like a flower from the ’60scomplemented by a sunflower-shaped kiddy pool,and the fourth in the shape of an ’80s computermonitor. “We raised the pool deck and used aresilient-rubber material to make a giantkeyboard,” Kelly says.

Whereas a giant ’70s foosball table highlightsKelly’s favorite courtyard, the bowling lanes nearthe pin pool had to be the most intense part of theproject and are the creation of which he is mostproud.

“Disney wanted the pool deck to look like awaxed floor and the relief had to be very shallow,”he remembers. “The stamping was so finite. It’swithin a 1⁄4 inch and the shallowest stamp Scofieldhas ever made.” Since the crew only had a smallwindow of time, “like 20 minutes,” to do the jobright, “we broke up the pool deck into 100different pours. If you look real close, you can seethe construction joints.”

Kelly says they had 11 different sets of stamps setup in sequence to control the finite stampingprocess, and the whole crew had to pitch in andstamp to get the appropriate relief on the pool deck.As if this wasn’t problematic enough, it turned outto be one of the wettest years they’ve ever had in

Tove and ErnstMikkelsen,

co-publisher ofCCoonnccrreettee DDeeccoorr,,

enjoy theevening’s

festivities.

CCoonnccrreettee DDeeccoorr’’ss Sheri Mikkelsen andMichelle Hilden register Dave Johnson withProtecrete,a sponsor of the tour fromGrays Lake, Ill.

(Above and right) The Bowling Pin Pool areaat Pop Century Resort features concrete“wood planks” created with products fromL.M.Scofield Company.

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Kim Flaviani and Peggy Disney of Lafarge NorthAmerica,one of the tour’s sponsors,pause for apicture in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The concretein the Magic

Kingdom’sFairytale

Garden isfashioned from

skins andrandom

imprints.

Tour participantslearn that thecompass roseoutside ofCinderella Castlein the MagicKingdom wasmade possiblewith a lot of rebarand colorhardener.

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A group from L.M.Scofield readythemselves for the safari ride throughDisney’s Kilimanjaro Safari game preserve.

Tour of Concrete SponsorsL.M. Scofield

LafargeCemex

ProtecreteMiracote

Soff-Cut International, Inc.Mapei

Stegmeier CorporationArcusStoneFritz-Pak

Super-KreteDegussaVexcon

Glaze ’N SealConcrete Solutions

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. Sco

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Orlando, Kelly says, adding that it’s typical for it torain around noon every day during the summeranyway. In order to have the concrete set up beforeit rained, crews had to start work in the middle ofthe night — a normal workday ran from 2 A.M. to11 A.M. — with artificial lighting from light towersglaring down on them much of the time.

Kelly says because a lot of the concrete wasintegrally colored, they used a conveyor with atelescopic boom to place the concrete. The waternecessary to use with a pump would havejeopardized the consistency of the color, he adds.

“The whole job took a massive amount ofpreplanning,” Kelly says. “Without the great superswe had, we wouldn’t have been able to pull it off.”

The wild happenings at AnimalKingdomEarl “Honk” Visger, currently hardscape divisionmanager for D&D Tree in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.,has worked on numerous Disney projects since1990. For three years, as the hardscape super for acompany called Valley Crest, he helped buildAnimal Kingdom — literally from the ground up.

For starters, the area where the park now standswas leveled, and everything — every shrub andtree, every hill and dale — was strategically placedaccording to a master plan. “It was the mostchallenging job I’ve ever been involved with,completely different from anything I was evertaught,” Visger says. “We threw away everythingwe knew and started experimenting.”

All the walks were shovel cut; they didn’t use anyforms. For the first time in his experience, Visgerrecounts, he fashioned concrete to look like wood.They made many of their own stamps to resembledirt, forest litter or a combination of both. Theymade giant root skins and root molds from actualtree parts. Near big trees, they placed concrete rootsto make them look like they were jutting out of thewalkway. “Some people actually try to pick them up.That’s how real they look,” he says.

The crews ran barefoot through the cementmud to mimic fleeing “aborigines.” Some guyswere wrapped in plastic and rolled around tocreate imprints that looked like the result of largewallowing beasts. Others strapped three-gallonbuckets on their feet and ran to create elephantfootprints. Still others were dragged away from themud into the brush, similar to what a lion woulddo with its kill. “We did a lot of strange stuff,”Visger recalls. “It was a wild job.”

Wild, indeed. When the safari animals were firstbrought to Animal Kingdom, he explains, they had

to be trained to go into their houses to sleep atnight and most of them weren’t fast learners.There were many hairy nights when Visger and hiscrew were pouring the ride paths and had toscramble to safety.

“We’d be pouring concrete and if an animalkeeper blew his whistle, we went and jumped inour trucks, no questions asked. Then we’d see aherd of wildebeest or ostriches or zebras run by. It’dhappen a couple of times each night.”

Visger, who was known as Honky before hisfirst Disney employers emphaticallyrecommended he shorten his nickname toHonk so many years ago, credits Disneywith high standards and a penchantfor quality work. “If you do thingsright you can be a householdname,” he says. “If you don’t,you’re out of there.”

After the Disney Tour of Concrete,participants enjoyedcocktails and dinner at the American Adventure dining hall inEpcot, followed by dessert and fireworks outside.

The hardworking crew from CCoonnccrreettee DDeeccoorr magazine posesfor posterity at a plaza in Epcot before dinner.

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Winner of CCoonnccrreettee DDeeccoorr magazine’sWWaalltt DDiissnneeyy WWoorrlldd®® Resort

vacation for two is:Darlene Ward

Caddo Mills,TXThank you for participating

in CCoonnccrreettee DDeeccoorr’’ss 2004“Tour of Concrete.”



Bayferrox C pigment granules cut downon dust,sticking

In its standard form, Bayferrox iron oxide pigment is a very fine,particle-sized powder. With Bayferrox C, the standard powder is

compacted into an irregularly shaped granule. This is a cost-effective,low-dusting and free-flowing pigment that can be metered easily andaccurately. Bayferrox C can be used in all applications for coloringconcrete products where pigment powders have traditionally beenused, including dry mixes like mortars and grouts.

The pigments are made from ISO certified powder pigmentsand offer color consistency and high tinting strength. They areweather and alkali resistant. Concrete technology tests haveshown that this binder does not influence the properties ofeither wet or dry concrete, including setting time andcompressive strength.

The color palette for Bayferrox C is four primary shades. Fromthese shades, a nearly infinite range of final colors is possible. Theproduct’s flow characteristics allow for very accurate metering, andmodern metering equipment can consistently weigh and transferthe four primary pigments directly into the concrete mixer. Theyshow less sticking and bridging than their powder counterparts.They can also be used in dry-to-wet metering systems, which takethe dry pigment, mix it with water, then pump the pigment slurry tothe concrete mixer.

For more information, call (800) 662-2927 or visitwww.BayerUS.com/pigments.

PRODUCTPROFILES



http://www.BayerUS.com/pigments



C-GRIDA reinforcement system for concrete countertops

TechFab’s C-GRID product line of carbon-fiber grids is specifically designedfor the lightweight reinforcement of concrete in

countertops as well as in a multitude of precast andprestressed concrete products.

C-GRID uses a carbon-fiber-reinforced, epoxy-resin-based grid design. It can be used in place of, oralong with, steel wire mesh and light rebar. Unlikesteel, carbon grid can be placed just below the finishedsurface. By contrast, several inches of concrete wouldbe required to protect steel mesh from corrosion and toprevent rust stains from bleeding through to the finishedsurface.

The C-GRID reinforcements replace typical materialssuch as galvanized wire, wire mesh and light steel rebar.They provide excellent corrosion resistance, high strengthto weight ratio, flexibility, and outstanding ductility andcrack control. C-GRID can be used with as little as 1⁄4"concrete cover due to a lack of corrosion concerns. The griddesign and epoxy chemistry provides excellent concrete-to-grid bonding.

Grids feature openings of 0.75 inches to 3.0 inches, depending on strengthrequirements and the application. The lightweight grid is available in rolls thatsimplify storage and that can be shipped via overnight carrier.

For more information, call (864) 260-3355 or visit www.techfabllc.com.TechFab is located in Anderson, S.C.


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http://www.skimstone.com


Versatile BuildingProductsCarson,Calif.Once a specialist in deck coatings,Versatile BuildingProducts has enjoyed exponential growth with theaddition of concrete and epoxy coatings.by John Strieder



By the time he was 22, MikeMeursing was already marriedand owned his own floor-

coating installation business. He wasreaching for the stars — but at the sametime, he couldn’t help but see thecracks forming under his feet.

It was the heat. Meursing lived insouthern California, or as he called it,“the land of the sun.” And when thetemperature shot up, he noticed, floorcoatings tended to go south. “Coatingshad a lot of issues with cracking andleaking,” he says.

Luckily, Meursing was heir to a wealthof expertise in the coating industry. Hisfather was a texture coating manufacturerwho successfully launched and soldcompanies in Canada, Australia andSouth America. His uncle founded OldQuaker Paint during the Depression, andthe brand became a familiar name on theWest Coast — so much so that TheSherwin-Williams Co. eventually boughtit from the Meursing family.

Mike and his wife, Vicki, took aformula developed by Old Quaker for afiberglass deck coating and beganmaking and selling it as Versa-Deck.

Fifteen years later, their company,Versatile Building Products Inc., aims tooffer almost anything a contractorcould brush onto a deck or floor. Theywant it to be a one-stop shop for floorcoatings, whether for waterproofingdecks, decorative finishes in homes, orcommercial sealers.

The more their business diversified,the more lucrative niches they found.“We did not want to be a one-productcompany,” Meursing says. “Versa-Deckis just a little blip on the map comparedto what we do now.”

In fact, the company’s fastestgrowing product lines are concretecoatings, which debuted in 1995, andepoxy coatings, introduced in 1998.“There’s a lot of money floating aroundout there because interest rates are low,”he says. “A customer can go spruce up agarage for $2,000. That’s a smallamount of money to pay for it.”

Up to 40 percent of the company’sproducts are geared to decorative



concrete contractors, from decorativeoverlayments and garage floor coatingsto concrete stains and sealers. “You cantake some commercial technology, youcan modify and tweak it and havesomething for the decorative concreteindustry,” he says.

Meursing says the company’scommercial work is dependent on theaerospace industry in southernCalifornia, which suffered a bust in themid-1990s. High-tech jobs went away,which curbed the demand for concretecoatings in factories and researchfacilities. But those jobs may be startingto come back, he says.

The company hired a full-timechemist in 2000 to further expandresearch and development capabilities.“We try to design a product with theend user in mind,” Meursing says. “It’sgood to start off with, and then wemake it as simple as possible so hedoesn’t make mistakes.”

For example, they’ve engineeredsome of their products so all acontractor has to do is add water. Morecomplicated procedures can invitetrouble, Meursing says. “If a worker runsout of admix — ‘I’m just an hourlyworker, I don’t care.’”

Another signature Versatile productis Vapor-Stop, an epoxy that requiresonly two application steps instead ofthe six-step process that was standardfive years ago. It eliminates the need forprimer. And it stands up to water vapor,making it ideal for laying tile on top of afloor with moisture issues. “This Vapor-Stop will bond like you won’t believe,”Meursing says.

Versatile is also known for thebreadth of its catalog. Almost none ofVersatile’s competitors manufactureeverything Versatile does.

Mike and Vicki Meursing are stillsole owners of their company, which isheadquartered in Carson, Calif. Theyserve as, respectively, president andcontroller. The company recentlymoved into new manufacturing digsthat are more than twice the size oftheir old facility. “We filled up the



entire place in the first week like we’dbeen there five years,” Mike says.

Versatile, which employs 16 (notincluding outside sales represen-tatives) manufactures and packagesall its own products. It has obtainedcertification from the InternationalConference of Building Officials(now known as ICC EvaluationService Inc.), which among otherthings vouches that the company hasa system in place that allows for batch


tracing. Theirbooks andprocedures areaudited every threemonths by anoutside lab.

Meursing’s instal-lation businesshelped him getVersatile off theground in the earlyyears. “I needed avehicle to supportsales and growth —

that was it,” he says. “It’s a good littlevehicle.”

Versatile has, on average, doubled itssales every year over the past 10 years,and January’s sales were up 96 percentfrom the same month in 2003. Thecompany also brought in 10 newdistributors last year. Grassrootsmarketing is crucial to the company’ssuccess, Meursing says. “Gettingdemand from the contractor, from theend user, has always been our policy.

Build something well, things that areeasy to use, and they will come.”

But Meursing isn’t planning to growthis quickly forever. In the near future,Versatile will focus on existing productlines rather than launching new ones,he says, adding that the company alsoplans to expand its offerings in theconcrete repair category. “We want tocontinue doing what we’re doing. Wehave no plans to do otherwise. I’m stillyoung; my wife is still young. We haveabout 30 years left in us.”

Early on, he admits, his age was adisadvantage. After all, what could a 22-year-old know about running acompany? But he had the energy ofyouth to compensate, he says. He didn’tmind working 70 to 80 hours a week.

When the time came to bring inemployees, he would tend to hire otheryoung people, he noted. “You hire likeyourself.” But as he got older, helearned to hire to complement himself.“I think we’re a balanced company,” hesays.


http://www.concrete-texturing.com


Demand for decorative concrete is booming. Potentialcustomers are learning about it in consumermagazines, on HGTV and at home and garden

shows, inspiring them to think of adding features such asstamped driveways, faux rock walls or polished concrete floorsto their homes or businesses. If you haven’t received a requestfor decorative concrete yet, chances are you soon will.

And if you are thinking about expanding into thislucrative niche, stamped concrete is a good place to start.There is a learning curve, but the techniques of imprintingcan be mastered if you have a good grasp of the placing andfinishing skills needed for basic concrete.

Start off on the right footSite preparation and placement of concrete is the same forstamped concrete as it is for any slab. “The base preparationshould be the same as for any concrete application,” observesClark Branum, area manager for Rafco Products. Butremember, your sub-base is an important foundation to yourdecorative work. You want a “compacted crushed rock basewith no standing water,” Branum says.

The type of mix and aggregate will vary with the regionalrequirements for freeze and thaw, as well as structuralrequirements. Don’t feel shy about asking the experts. “Mostpeople do not realize how many experts they have availableto them,” says Steve Johnson, director of marketing for newproduct development at Solomon Colors. “The first personyou should talk to is your ready mix producer.”

The thickness of the slab depends on the intended use, buttypically it is at least 4 inches. Reinforcements should beplaced according to standard concrete practices.

Placing the concreteThe framework for stamped concrete should be installed thesame way as for traditional concrete, with a couple extraconsiderations, says Richard Cofoid, national sales managerfor Increte Systems Inc. If you are stamping a square pattern,make sure your framework is square. Be sure to drive the tops

of stakes even with or below the top of the framework so yourstamping tools don’t get hung up. And, very importantly,protect all adjoining areas by masking them off with ducttape and plastic. Then place, screed and float the concrete asyou would a standard slab.

If you’re new to stamping concrete, be careful not to biteoff more than you can chew. While an experienced crew canstamp 800 to 1,000 square feet in a day, novice stamping

Stamping Concrete 101:

THEBASICSby Susan Brimo-Cox

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crews should limit their pours to no more than 400 squarefeet on average. “Skill, job access, weather conditions,manpower, stamp pattern and color hardener choice are allconsiderations,” says Doug Carlton, owner of CarltonConcrete L.L.C.

Also, keep in mind that walls and protruding obstacles willslow the process down.

Start with simple patternsThe easiest stamps to start out with are borders along a broomfinished job, Johnson says.

If the whole surface will be textured, choose randompatterns. “Beginners should start out with textured stone orlarger patterns with no detail,” says Russell Rodoni, owner ofSierra Design Concrete.

Texture mats that leapfrog over each other are easier thanridged tools that fit together like a puzzle. Most experiencedcontractors say to avoid interlocking patterns until you get afeel for the imprinting process.

Renting imprinting tools is a good option if you’re juststarting out, because some patterns and tools can be costly.“Rent twice the amount you think you will need,” Carltonrecommends.

Coloring the concreteDoes integral color add value to the stamped concrete job? Itdepends who you talk to. On one hand, integral color offerslimited color choices, and it is hard to match from pour topour and day to day. But, on the other hand, it is faster andless messy than other coloring techniques. In addition,contractors just starting out in stamping may find imprintingcolored concrete is easier. “Not because it is better, but thereare fewer steps to be concerned with,” observes ScottThome, director of product services with L. M. Scofield Co.

What it seems to boil down to is personal preference.“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” Johnson says.“Realistic to one may look eclectic to another.”

Most contractors use dry shake color hardener to addcolor to their stamped concrete. Available in a wide varietyof colors, it is easy to match if repairs are needed, and itincreases the surface strength of the concrete. But be awarethat use of color hardener adds time to a job, requires morelabor and can be messy.

Color hardeners are typically applied in several passesafter the bleed water has evaporated. Many contractorsbroadcast by hand, though Rodoni recommendsbroadcasting with a splash brush to avoid streaking.Broadcast the powder evenly, allowing it to wet up, andwork it in with a bull float. After the final pass has beenapplied, finish-trowel the surface.

According to Cofoid, a 60-pound bucket of colorhardener will generally cover 80 to 100 square feet; forlighter colors you’ll need to use more. Make sure you followthe manufacturer’s recommendations, as each manufacturerhas a prescribed rate of application for certain colors.

Another method of coloring the surface is to usechemical stains, but this is “definitely not for beginners,”Rodoni says.

The importance of release agentsThe primary purpose of release agents, which come inpowder and liquid formulations, is to ensure your imprintingtools do not stick to the concrete. Liquid releases are clearand not all can accept color, so they are not used asfrequently as powdered releases.

“Powder antique release is the most popular method ofreleasing the tools from the fresh concrete,” Thome reports.“It also offers you the option of adding one or multiple colorsinto your work.”

R. Michael Potts, owner of Ideal Construction Inc., saysthe release should go on very thin. “You are just looking tomake a barrier between the concrete and the stamp. Don’tput too much down, or your pattern will only be in therelease powder and not in the concrete.”

Don’t work too far ahead either. Cofoid recommendsbroadcasting only one or two rows ahead of stamping andcautions, “Never trowel release agent.”

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Stamping the concreteWhen do you begin stamping? The concrete has to be firmenough to support the weight of the stamper and the tools,but plastic enough to accept the imprint. With rigid tools youcan usually start sooner. Soft tools will require you to wait abit longer, and then you’ll likely need to use tamping tools.Some contractors say you can judge the concrete by pushingyour finger into the slab. If it goes in about 1⁄4-inch, it shouldbe ready to stamp.

Typically, you begin stamping where you began the pour.But there may be exceptions. For example, Branum says heprefers to start against a wall line or edge that is adjacent toany structures.

It’s also important to know what parts of the pour are inthe sun and shade. Concrete in the shade takes longer to firmup, while areas in the sun will stamp sooner.

Keeping grout lines crisp and eliminating squeeze lines is amatter of properly placing, aligning and lifting the tools. ButCofoid says not to worry if things aren’t always perfect. “Thestamping process is not perfect. Slight imperfections make itlook more natural — stones are not perfect, bricks are notperfect.”

Plan the job out in advance. For example, if you have a crewof five (three finishers and two laborers), Thome says, “Duringthe imprinting process you will need one person moving theimprinting tools, one person tamping or walking the tools in,one person on each side of the pour handing the tools to thetool setter and cleaning the tools as needed. The final person isprobably the most important person — the detailer.”

Your Stamping ConcreteToolkitYou’ll need basic concrete finishingtools as well as tools for stamping.Here’s a look at what you should haveon hand:● Well-constructed forms● Strike-off tool● Bull floats, wood and magnesium● Fresno● Edging tools● Hand tools and trowels● Joiners● Stamping and texturing tools ● Small texture skins● Tampers● Detail tools, S-tool, chisels and

touch-up wheels● Soft bristle broom● Water hose● Pump sprayer

Don’t forget safety equipment:● Rubber gloves● Latex gloves● Dust masks● Plastic sheeting and duct tape

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Finishing the jobMany experienced stampers recommend waiting until thenext day to wash off excess release agent. Many cautionagainst beginners using pressure washers, especially if youwant some release agent to remain in the grout lines foradditional color. (But be advised that release agent needs tobe removed completely from the wear surface for a sealer tobond properly.)

“I like to first broom off the excess release, cut all myjoints, and then wash it down with water from a hose,” Pottssays.

Cofoid likes to rinse off release before cutting joints.Like traditional concrete, stamped concrete needs control

joints. In order to hide them you can try to line them upwith grout lines in the pattern. With random stone patternsyou might consider incorporating accent strips toaccommodate the joints. If you use embossing skins for acontinuous texture, joints usually are not distracting.

Proper curing time before applying a sealer is important.Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer.

Getting the right training pays for itselfContractors and experts agree that practice, practice,practice is the way to go. Working alongside an expert is agreat way to get comfortable with stamping, and having your


crew practice in sand is a good way to familiarize them witha new pattern.

Carlton suggests that contractors take advantage oftraining seminars. “Paying for training by someone with 10years-plus experience is money in the bank,” he says, “andcreates a list of satisfied customers.”

Training satisfies several needs, Thome points out. “Assomeone interested in obtaining a better understanding ofthe business and how it can fit into their marketing program,the demo or introduction workshop might be enough. …Tobecome familiar with the process and actually imprint a slab,the comprehensive workshop is the one to attend.”

Training classes are offered by manufacturers,independent schools and industry organizations.“Organizations such as the ASCC Decorative ConcreteCouncil are an excellent training resource for contractorslooking to improve their business and their skills,” Branumsays.

One other piece of advice comes from Cofoid, who saysto sell your work using actual samples. Form up 12-inch by12-inch samples, but don’t worry about them being perfect.“A perfect sample may give you trouble because thecustomer will expect perfect color. … [and] if you sell offphotos you may have trouble because the color may notmatch up,” he says.



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Decorative ConcreteMaintenanceKKeeeepp yyoouurr jjoobb llooookkiinngg bbeeaauuttiiffuull ttoo eennhhaannccee bbootthh yyoouurr rreeppuuttaattiioonn aanndd yyoouurr wwaalllleett..by Christina Camara

The growth of the decorativeconcrete industry in recentyears has allowed contractors to

challenge their creativity with a hugearray of new designs, colors, texturesand techniques. But after the job isdone, maintaining that dazzling, just-completed look is often overlooked.

Cleaning and resealing an old jobisn’t nearly as interesting as creating anew design, and it’s less profitable too.

However, industry experts saycontractors are missing a greatopportunity. Making sure decorativeconcrete looks fresh for years to comecan bring a number of benefits—satisfied customers, repeat business anda new profit center, to name a few.

Clients appreciate a contractor whocan not only work wonders withconcrete, but can also help them keeptheir patio, deck or driveway lookingimpressive. New products are availableto handle almost any maintenancesituation, even ones that initially lookimpossible.

Routine maintenance is fairlystraightforward. The No. 1 priority is tomake sure the surface is clean and drybefore it is resealed. Most decorativesurfaces can be cleaned with water anda mild cleaner. Scott Balch, aConcreteScience contractor in Dallas,uses pressure washing, extractioncleaning or both. “Acrylic sealers aremore forgiving when it becomes timeto reapply,” he says. “Most situationsrequire only the cleaning of the surfaceand the application of the new acrylicsealer.”

Julio Hallack, a concrete restorationspecialist based in Turlock, Calif., saysmany people use cleaning chemicalsthat are too powerful and eat away theconcrete. Don’t use ammonia, he says,and Simple Green should be used onlyif it is diluted with 20 parts water.

“You want to use something really,really mild,” he says. “There’s no needto go in with a heavy-duty detergent.”

Through his business, ConcreteInnovations by Hallack, he offers hisclients simple rules for dealing withstained concrete floors: Dust mop everyPh

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Decorative ConcreteMaintenanceKKeeeepp yyoouurr jjoobb llooookkiinngg bbeeaauuttiiffuull ttoo eennhhaannccee bbootthh yyoouurr rreeppuuttaattiioonn aanndd yyoouurr wwaalllleett..by Christina Camara



day and wash with cold water and amild, diluted citrus cleaner once aweek. “If people follow these simplerecommendations they may need toreseal their floors in two to three years.”

The two- to three-year resealingschedule is also recommended forstamped and colored concrete,depending of course on the kind oftraffic and wear it is exposed to. “If youwait longer, you may notice the colorfade slightly,” he says. “But just likewaxing a car, reseal your stampedconcrete and the color will be asvibrant as the day it was installed.”

Light commercial floors may needresealing every six months, and heavy-duty commercial floors, insupermarkets for example, are stripped,buffed and resealed with water-basedproducts every week, Hallack says.

Cleaning is the first and mostimportant step to any concrete

maintenance program, but the nextstep — making sure the concrete is dry— takes patience.

“Contractors are guilty of rushing inand trying to put sealers on before thefloors are dry. They trap moisture andit’s a big mistake,” Hallack says. “Floorsneed to be dry 100 percent.” Hallackrecently let a floor dry for two completedays, then did a moisture test before hestarted resealing.

Dealing with problem areasWhen contractors face mildew stains,sun damage, or just particularlystubborn dirt, they may need to digdeeper into their bag of tricks to comeup with a solution.

Contractors can choose from arange of products and techniques forcleaning and maintaining problemareas on decorative concrete, saysScott Buscher, marketing director for

Prosoco Inc., a custom formulator ofspecialty cleaners and protectivetreatments for masonry and concrete.

Balch uses a more aggressive cleanerand a hand-held nylon brush for smallareas and low-speed buffers withscrubbing pads for large areas. “Stainsnormally just require more elbowgrease,” he says.

Chemist Mark Granados of SurtecInc., which manufactures sealers,cleaners and specialty maintenanceproducts in Tracy, Calif., recommendsinspecting for water damage. Ifmaterials such as leaves or firewoodhave been left on a patio for a longtime, moisture could be trappedunderneath. Moisture problems mustbe fixed before new sealer can beapplied.

Contractors say sunlight is anotherbig enemy of acrylic sealers. Sometimescustomers will complain that the sunhas faded half of their patio. Dirt andmildew can also damage one part ofthe project, while the other side looksgreat.

“If your sealer has yellowed, not awhole lot can be done to restore that,”Granados says. If mold and mildewhave intruded, the cause of themoisture problem must be fixed. “Yoursealer is only as good as yourfoundation.”

Balch says he would first give thepatio a thorough cleaning and then tryto reseal using more or less sealer ondifferent parts of the patio. “If an evenlook can not be achieved, the processbecomes more complicated,” he says.“It becomes necessary to remove all ora portion of the old sealer prior toapplication of the new sealer.”

Buscher says faded concrete can berevived by acid-staining or applying aprotective treatment that enhances itsappearance. “When just a portion ofthe surface needs work, though, it’susually best to clean, stain or protectthe entire surface to ensure uniformityof appearance,” he says. “Surfaces thatare beyond redemption usually got thatway because of neglect or errors ininstallation. In these rare cases,



are flexible enoughto compensate forexpansion andcontraction arounda joint. Theproducts can alsobe used to fix spalls, often found atconcrete joints in heavy traffic areas.

Giant “bathtub ring”responds to solutionTwo weeks before the new BroncoStadium opened in Denver,ConcreteScience was called in toquickly solve a problem that 15companies hadn’t been able to fix.

Instead of concrete risers, thestadium used metal risers so fans couldstomp their feet and create thepounding noise known as “RockyMountain Thunder.” The problem wasthat rain on the metal risers createdrust, which ran down the concrete wallsand stained them, making the stadiumlook like it had a giant bathtub ring.

A sample was sent out toConcreteScience chemists in KansasCity. They created four possiblesolutions, and one worked. Scrubbingthe walls by hand was a mammothproject, but once the solution was

replacement is the answer, with an eyetoward not making the same mistakes asecond time.”

How many times can a sealer beapplied to the surface before acomplete stripping is required?

There’s no magic number, but whenthe buildup of sealers starts to discoloror distract from the original look, it’stime to strip, says Steven W. Hicks,president and CEO ofConcreteScience International Inc.

Some water-repellants penetrateinto the pores of the concrete and forma barrier against water intrusion thatmay last as long as five years. A film-forming sealer on top of that is “the bestof all worlds, as long as you are nottrapping escaping moisture,” Hicks says.

Sealers can be applied many timesto the surface if it is properlymaintained, Granados says, and thatmeans keeping it clean. Herecommends frequent sweeping andcleaning of interior concrete tominimize dirt and grit. “That doesn’tsell many chemicals, but we like torecommend walk-off mats in entrywaysbecause even a high-performancesealer can be scratched.”

Control joints deservespecial attentionKeeping control joints free of water anddebris will also lengthen the life of anydecorative concrete project. If waterseeps through the joints and into thesubstrate, the concrete will deteriorate.Dirt and debris in the joints can causedamage to the joint nosings as theconcrete moves, Balch says.

If the job will see only foot traffic,contractors prefer a polyurethanesealant, which can flex as the concretemoves and also comes in a variety ofcolors. On driveways, flexible epoxysealants are preferred because they canstand up to vehicular traffic, keepingthe joint shoulders intact.

3M is offering new urethaneadhesives and sealants to repair cracksand spalls in as little as 15 minutes.The company says its urethane sealants

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vacuumed up and the walls weretreated with a water repellant, itlooked good as new, Hicks says.

“We have stain removers for justabout anything,” says Hicks, whorecently partnered with Prosoco Inc.,which markets ConcreteScienceproducts. “I think almost any stain canbe removed if people are willing to takethe time and figure it out.”

Keep in touch withcustomers,expertsHicks believes contractors should paymore attention to maintaining theirwork. He says contractors can be evenmore successful if they organize theirbusiness to make maintenance a higherpriority. It’s good fill-in work whentimes are slow, it targets existingcustomers and it can be high-marginwork, he says.


A few easy marketing techniquescould go a long way. Good businessowners send out a maintenancereminder postcard one year after thejob is done. Others pick up the phoneand see how their work is holding up.

“If you don’t call them, they will notcall you,” Hicks says.

Hallack says contractors should notbe afraid to learn from each other and tonetwork with good companies. Scofieldand Miracote experts, for example, areextremely knowledgeable and love whatthey do, he says. Even thoughcontractors may be competing for thesame customers, the industry as a wholewill benefit from more collaboration.

“I love to share what I know,” hesays. “I hate to see the contractors gothrough the nightmares I wentthrough. We all should be committedto sharing information.”



Decorative Concrete:“Keeping It Simple”

by Doug Carlton

It’s unbelievable what isbeing done withconcrete. Just look no

further than thispublication’s ads and articles.We have staining overstamping, stamping overoverlay, stamped walls, stained walls.It’s crazy — who keeps raising the bar?The answer is THE MARKET. Thisexplosion of decorative concrete ismarket-driven. Folks want it, and it’smore than just a fad. It must be a littleoverwhelming to contractors justentering this exciting business.

That’s why I’m writing this. Itdoesn’t matter if you’re just starting orhave millions of square feet under yourbelt. The secret is to KEEP ITSIMPLE.

The goal in decorative contractingis to provide a service that meets theexpectations of your client. Thatmeans the harder the job, the higherthe expectations. Thankfully, thecomplexity of most jobs is decided bythe pocketbook. Most jobs are keptsimple because there are limited funds.Simply put, our clients get more fortheir money by keeping it simple. Letus look at some examples.

A prospective client asks aboutstained floors for their new officebuilding currently under construction.After a few questions concerningcolors, floor designs, etc., you realizeyour owner knows very little aboutconcrete staining. They have noticed

ready mix) could easily bematched to their house trimcolor. You explain how asubtle, seamless texturestamp (no grout lines tocontend with) withdecorative deep scoring

would provide the color and imprintingthat makes stamped concrete sodesirable. Everyone wins. Costs are keptwithin budget. Job difficulty is keptwithin limitations of a developingdecorative crew.

Decorative contractors can controlthe simplicity in many more ways.Keeping control of the project from startto finish, using communication,repetition, and basic fundamentals, is key.

Organization, from selling theproject to collecting a check, shouldnot be overlooked. Paul, our customerrepresentative, marks all colorcontainers with the client’s name asthey enter the yard.

Frank, our foreman, matches colorswith clients as materials are loaded foreach project. This double-check systemis a necessity in successful decorativeprojects. All control joints, saw cuts,slopes, ready mix access, washout area,are predetermined prior to placement ofconcrete. These repetitivefundamentals minimize mistakes andwasted time. You will notice these stepsbecoming second nature to your crew inno time.

Another way to keep things simple isto limit color and pattern selections.

floors at their favorite restaurant orhave been advised by a friend thatconcrete staining is the way to go. Youquickly realize a floor design must bedetermined before an accurate bid canbe provided. This is your bestopportunity as a decorative contractorto design an affordable project, andmore importantly, a project you arecomfortable with and confident youcan complete.

As tempted as you are to design alife-size bald eagle using all the staincolors known to man, you show theclient pictures of a two-colorcheckerboard design. You explain howthe checkerboarding will be separatedby decorative saw cuts, colored grout,and then protected with sealer andwax. You have created a project thatcan be completed on time, on budget,and to all expectations.

Now let’s try a stamping scenario.Your local pool company informs

you of a client interested in stampingtheir deck. I will tell you this: Pooldeck stamping with a coping edge isone of the most challenging of alldecorative undertakings. Realizing this,you inform your client that an earthtone integrally colored (color in the



Pull out four different color chartsduring your tail-gate meeting with yourprospective client and watch theconfusion start. We show one colorchart at a time. No more than twostamped samples per visit. You will beshocked at how many clients will pickfrom what is available.

Controlling the decorative projectfrom the sales call to the final instal-lation is our responsibility. Remember,building a successful and profitabledecorative company always starts witha satisfied customer.

Doug Carlton is the owner of CarltonCompany, located in Visalia, Calif.Carlton Company has been doingdecorative concrete for over 10 years.Doug can be reached [email protected].







Business Opportunities

Business For Sale

Decorative Concrete BusinessFOR SALE

Beautiful Southern Oregon• 15 Year History • 3 trucks • Bobcat

• Stamps • Showroom• Great Reputation • Bomanite Franchise

(541) 899-8560 or www.cementworksinc.com

Bemus Landscape, Inc.Orange County,CA based landscape contractor seeks highlyexperienced and qualified Hardscape Superintendent tooversee all concrete and measuring installations. Projectsare extremely high end custom residential estates. Volumeoriented environment. 30 years in business. Competitivesalary, benefits, vehicle, 401k w/match, etc.Email resume to: [email protected],or fax to: (714) 557-1007

Changing the RulesIsn’t Cheating™

When material costs have you by thethroat…

When your competition thinks droppingthe price is the only way to get a job…

When the weather controls your life…

When rain washes your profits down thegutter…

Change the Rulesin Your Favor

Seriously ProfitableInnovative Concrete Engraving Systems

Discovery and Training Seminars Monthly

Catalog 1-888-884-2114www.Engrave-A-Crete.com

AlternativeFFIINNIISSHHEESS

• Staining concrete since 1993• References available• Acid stain floors, walls, counter tops, etc.• Decorative scoring (sawcuts)• Custom colors, color grouting• Clear coat sealers• Waxing, highspeed buffing

On the job training at your site

Wes Vollmer Concrete(210) 655-5940 Design

Specialistwww.alternativefinishes.com

Decorative Concrete Consulting and Training

Help Wanted

Classifieds

Colorado Hardscapes, an award-winning leader in the design and construction of decorative concrete andpremium flooring, is currently accepting applications for foreman in the Premium Flooring Division at its Denverlocation.

FOREMANThe position requires a minimum of 5 years experience in the following:

• Acid Staining • Micro Top Coatings• Topical Staining • Epoxy Coatings• Decorative Saw Cutting • Leadership and Crew Management

This is a hands-on position and requires someone with excellent leadership and time management abilities.

Colorado Hardscapes offers a competitive wage and benefits package. To apply send cover letter and resume withsalary requirements to: Gil Rodriguez, Human Resource Administrator, 8085 E. Harvard Avenue, Denver, CO 80231,or email at: [email protected], or fax to: (303) 750-8884.



Decorative Concrete Supplies

The Decorative Concrete StoreColoring Agents Release AgentsStains & Sealers Stamps & Stencils

Concrete Hardener & DensifierRepair and Overlay MaterialsFinishing Tools and Hardware

On-Site Training and ConsultationConcrete Countertops

Eco-Block Insulated Concrete FormsTwo Locations to Serve You:

880 Pleasant Valley Dr., Springboro, Ohio 450663546 Eastern Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226Phone: (513) 533-9200 • Fax: (513) 533-3078

Toll Free: (866) 483-3330www.DecorativeConcreteStore.com

Engrave-A-Crete, Inc.Our Seminar Attendees Say:

“The 2 day session was the most informationpacked seminar I have attended in 20 years”

— Jerome, FL

“Engrave-A-Crete has surely raised the bar ofthe industries standards.” — Christopher, MS

“Information was clear, concise, very friendly,and knowledgeable.” — Dan, CA

Discovery and Training SeminarsEasy as 1… 2… 3… for beginners and experts.Advanced hands-on decorative concrete engraving,scoring, cutting, and staining techniques withexceptional equipment. Learn how to make fast,high quality, great paying installs plus how to marketand sell your services. Discover new advancedtools and increase your skills. Free informationpacket.

“You inspired me. I can see a future in thisbusiness.” — Raeben, CO

1-800-884-21141-941-744-2400

www.engrave-a-crete.com

Training Materials

Giving away Profit!

What’s NEW with• Imprinted Concrete• Concrete Stains• Self Leveling Overlayments• Texturetop™• Concrete Sealers• Specialty Tools Equipment• Application and Product Training

For more information call

1-800-938-41481-541-938-4005 (fax)

www.dcsystemssupport.com

Advertisers IndexFree Product Information

Please circle the number(s) on the attached reply card and mail today.

Advertiser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page # . . . . . . . . . . . . Reader Service #

Alternative Finishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —Applied Concrete Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02Armcon Molds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04Bemus Landscape Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —Blastrac/Sawtec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06Buddy Rhodes Concrete Mix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08Butterfield Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Cement Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —Cheng Concrete Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Colorado Hardscapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —ConcreteIron.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Concrete Science International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Concrete Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Concrete Texturing Tool and Supply . . . . . . . . . . . 37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Coyote Cleaning Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Custom Concrete Creations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Dayton Superior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Decorative Concrete Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —Decorative Concrete Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —Edgewater Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Engrave-A-Crete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —Exaktime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Excellent Coatings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Floric Polytech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Fritz-Pak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Glaze ’N Seal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40HoverTrowel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Institute for American Craftsmanship . . . . . . . . . . . 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Kelly Moore Paint Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Larsen Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48L.M. Scofield Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50Love-Less Ash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52Metal Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Polytek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56Proline Stamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58Quick Imprint Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60Rudd Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62Seal Krete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64Sherwin-Williams/ H&C Stains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66Slip Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68Southern Color Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70Stamp Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72Stegmeier Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74Sto Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76Super Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78SureCrete Design Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80Tygar Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82Versatile Building Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84VIC International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

CM: Concrete Marketplace is on pages 42-43.Classified ads are on pages 50-51.When contacting an advertiser, please mention Concrete Decor.



Product New

s

Form creates look of old-world stoneB.E.P. Forming Systems, a leader in big panel forms andaccessories, has introduced a new fabricated aluminumform design that gives the look of old-world stone at afraction of the cost. The new Georgian Stone Panelsare fabricated on an aluminum, removable and reusableBig Panel that completely eliminates the expensive andrepetitive cost of form liners. The new panels, availablein any length and height, utilize a reusable taper tiesystem, requiring no extra parts or special attachments.Once stripped, the “stone” surface is immediately readyfor any paint, coating or treatment, and properlymaintained, the new forms can be used for a thousandpours or more.

B.E.P.’s other new product for 2004 is the POWERtaper tie system, a strong, semi-automatic, self-spacing,reusable taper tie system that is attached to any B.E.P.form. It installs safely and easily on one side of the formand has no loose parts, increasing job efficiency andeliminating the need for laborers to work in dangeroustrenches.

The POWER taper tie is extremely strong,achieving a 40,000 lb. safe working load (SWL) rating.It is available in nominal and full-width dimensions.For more information call (866) 237-3676 or visitwww.bepformingsystems.com.

Heater thaws ground,keeps temp evenGround Heaters Inc. has introduced a new GroundHeater model. Built with a side access panel, the E1100is easier to maintain and repair than previous units. Ithas many new features that make it easy to use.

As with the previous model, the new E1100 is able tothaw up to 1,650 square feet of frozen ground at a rate ofone-foot-deep per day. It also can heat up to 2,200square feet of ground to prepare for concrete placement,

prevent frost penetrationand assure properconcrete curing. It isequipped with a digitaltemperature controllerthat allows the user toraise or lower thetemperature to thedesired level. Built with a45-gallon fuel tank, theE1100 can provide up to72 hours of continuousoperation. For moreinformation, call (231)799-9600 or visitwww.groundheaters.com.

Sealer keeps water outOkon W-1 Water Repellent Sealer lessens environ-mental erosion like dusting, chalking, cracking andspalling. When applied as directed, Okon W-1 willnot change the natural appearance of concrete,masonry, stucco or plaster and can be used under orover painted surfaces.

The product is designed as a one-coat system thateffectively seals concrete and masonry surfaces,preventing damaging moisture penetration that cancause problems such as efflorescence, freeze-thawdamage and staining.

The application of Okon W-1 Water RepellentSealer to traditional plasterand diamond finish plasterleaves interior walls with asealed, natural finish. The“rag-on, rag-off” applicationprocess provides the walls witha protective coating on thesehard, steel-trowelled plastersurfaces, while maintainingtheir original beauty and color.

Okon W-1 WaterRepellent Sealer is a 5-percentsolids water-based premiumsealer. VOC emission is wellbelow the limits established for water repellents by theEPA and the state of California. For more information,visit www.okoninc.com or call (303) 377-7800.

Truck-bed toolbox rolls with easeSlide Systems Rollerbox Professional makes loading,unloading and storage virtually effortless because it rollson rails from cab to gate and back again. With its 300-pound load capacity and stiff .090" mill-finish bodyconstruction, the Rollerbox Professional canaccommodate anything that’s needed to take to thejob: pipe wrenches, drills, sockets, circular saws,hammers … even heavy construction equipment. Thebig upper compartment is great for large items, whilethe lower unit features six pull-out galvanized steeldrawers on smooth ball bearings. Three of the drawersmay be replaced with an optional deep drawer, and thewhole lower unit is detachable.

http://www.bepformingsystems.com


http://www.groundheaters.com

http://www.okoninc.com



What truly sets the Rollerbox Professional apart is theSlide System, which can be combined with utility racks andtie-downs. This system mounts atop any full-size pickup’s bedrails via the existing stake pockets and requires no drilling.Once installed, the Rollerbox smoothly rolls from cab totailgate, forever ending the need to climb on or over thetruck bed. For more information, call (888) 91-SLIDE or visitwww.slidesystems.com.

Unit keeps multiple rooms warmThe HotBox, from Mosebach Manufacturing Company, is adurable, portable industrial heater that is ideal for plaster and

concrete curing applications. Unlike fuel-powered blastersthat release moisture into the air, the electric-poweredHotBox delivers a dry heat. The unit’s powerful blowercirculates this dry air farther and faster, servicing multiplerooms with one heater and reducing curing time.

The lightweight unit is capable of delivering up to 147,000BTU’s of heat, bringing a space up to temperature quickly. Athree-position thermostat, with fan-only and temperaturesettings from 40 degrees to 150 degrees, provides a range oftemperature control options. For more information, call(866) 629-4328 or visit www.mosebachresistors.com.

Mortars Ideal for ConcreteRepairSto Corp. has introduced Trowel GradeRepair Mortar with integral corrosioninhibitor (CR701CI). The product, anenhanced reformulation of CR701, is designed toprovide an integral corrosion inhibitor that hasbeen a requirement by many specifying engineers.

Sto Trowel-Grade Mortar is a polymer-modified, cement-based mortar for structurally repairing or overlaying deterioratedconcrete. Used on horizontal or vertical surfaces for repairs from1⁄4 to 2 inches or extended with aggregate for deeper horizontalapplications, its formula provides increased strength gain andimproved performance for repair applications.


http://www.slidesystems.com

http://www.mosebachresistors.com


containers. Oncebrushed or sprayedonto the grease-stained surface, it isleft to dwell forupwards of threehours (determinedwell time bypatch testing)while it penetratesand lifts grease,

motor oil and heavy dirt. Hose or pressure-wash whencleaning is complete. For more information, call (800) 245-1191 or visit www.peelaway.com.

Floor system keeps sound and moisture outHacker Industries, Inc., a leading supplier of gypsumconcrete floor underlayments, now offers builders andarchitects the Dry Floor System.

The system combines the technology of HackerIndustries’ most innovative product, Firm-Fill 3310, withQuiet Qurl Moisture Control Sound Mat. The extremelylow water demand of Firm-Fill 3310 accelerates drying timeand minimizes moisture while the resilient layer of QuietQurl Moisture Control provides optimum sound control andprevents moisture from escaping to the subfloor.


Sto has also released a new Extended Full Depth RepairMortar. The product is an enhanced formulation of Sto’sCR311, offering the additional benefit of a factory-blended extension aggregate to allow for increasedproduct quality and job performance when extension isnecessary. Sto Extended Full Depth Repair is a cement-based mortar for structurally repairing or overlaying deteri-orated concrete. It is typically used on horizontal surfacesfor repairs from 11⁄2 to 6 inches and provides increasedstrength gain and improved performance for repairapplications. It also takes advantage of the added qualityand convenience of a factory controlled addition of pre-washed, kiln dried, and rounded pea gravel. For moreinformation, call (800) 221-2397 or visitwww.stocorp.com.

Grease remover leaves concrete cleanUnlike conventional cleaners that pool ineffectively on thesurface, Safe n’ Easy Oil/Grease Remover penetrates beneaththe porous surfaces of asphalt, concrete and masonry to liftoil and grease particles up and out. New from DumondChemicals, the non-toxic, non-abrasive and non-flammableproduct is biodegradable, and will not harm asphalt,concrete, or the paints and sealers commonly used on both.

A clear liquid, Safe n’ Easy Oil/Grease Remover cleanswithout scrubbing and is available in one- and five-gallon



http://www.peelaway.com

http://www.stocorp.com


“In recent years, two of the most talked about issues aresound control and moisture resistance in multi-familyhousing and high-rise projects,” said Kerry Hacker, VicePresident of Hacker Industries, Inc. “Our new Dry FloorSystem provides a solution to both concerns.”

Firm-Fill 3310 is a high strength (up to 3300 psi), cost-efficient gypsum concrete floor underlayment which flowsevenly over subfloors, creating a smooth, flat, crack-resistantsurface for virtually all types of finished floor coverings. Thefast-setting surface and low water demand rapidly eliminatewater, allowing for an accelerated drying time. Firm-Fill3310 also delivers improved sound performance andpossesses over 82 UL listings.

Quiet Qurl Moisture Control Sound Mat is a newproduct from Keene Building Products. Quiet Qurl MoistureControl offers the same great sound control system as allKeene products but with a new moisture-closed top. Formore information, call (800) 642-3455 or visitwww.hackerindustries.com.

Grinding tool offers portabilityDeWalt has introduced a versatile 41⁄2-inch cordless cut-offand grinding tool powered by the company’s 18-volt batterysystem. The tool produces 350 maximum-watts-out andoffers cordless versatility for cutting floor lines with adiamond cutting wheel.


For durability,the tool’s metalgear case dissipatesheat away from thebearings, gears andmotor. Sealed ballbearings in themotor add longevity. For convenience, the tool has auniversal flange, keyless guard adjustment, and spindle lockso users can change wheels quickly and easily. The triggerswitch and lock-off button allow for easier gripping, while athree-position side handle provides better control duringsurface and edge cutting. For more information, call (800) 4-DEWALT or visit www.dewalt.com.

Wagman introduces new trowel bladeIt used to be difficult to finish light colored concrete, light-reflective concrete and epoxy with a power trowel without

the risk of leaving burnishmarks from steel trowelblades.

Wagman solves thisproblem with its new Poly Prosteel reinforced plastic powertrowel blade. The Poly Pro isdesigned to give a hard finishwithout leaving burnish

marks, yet it remains stiff enough to use on ride-on powertrowels, as well as walk-behinds. A steel backing addsrigidity to the plastic, providing a stiffer blade than previousplastic blades.

For more information on sizes, pricing or where topurchase blades, call (717) 854-2120 or visitwww.wagmanmetal.com.

http://www.dewalt.com

http://www.wagmanmetal.com


http://www.hackerindustries.com

The Final Pour


Lending a Hand

Almost 2,000 kids earned an “A” indecorative concrete when they helped create a band of

handprints that circles their newelementary school in Melbourne, Fla.Over a period of nine days, futurestudents of the school were bussed to thesite, where they cast their hands forposterity into the tilt wall panels, usingalmost five tons of plaster in the process.

The 96,000-square-foot school wasbuilt under the guidance of H.J. HighConstruction Company, located inOrlando, Fla. H.J. High was established in1936 and specializes in generalconstruction, construction managementand design/build services.


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concrete decor magazine | decorative concrete | concrete ......want the different color, strip away...

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