Category Archives: Decorative Concrete News

News from the world of decorative concrete.

Tack Strip Pop-Outs – Watch Them Disappear

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Ugh, tack strip pop-outs! Those pesky holes left in concrete when tack strip is removed can bring on a contractor’s profanity-laced headache and send a job south in a hurry.

This all too common problem is sometimes solved by filling the pop outs with a concrete repair mixture, usually with disastrous results.

Any repair mixture used will have a different texture and finish than the original concrete, meaning it will accept stain differently from the rest of the floor.  What were once holes become splotches of color that highlight the pop-out problem rather than solving it.

Chris Mirabal, Technical Adviser for Engrave-A-Crete, has perfected a method for repairing  pop-outs without the staining nightmare that occurs using other methods.

Chris says:

  1.  Clean out any loose concrete from around the pop-out.  Prep the entire floor surface as usual.
  2. Apply the stain to the entire area according to directions, including the pop outs.  Just ignore those holes for now!
  3. Apply the first coat of sealer and let it dry completely.
  4. Mix up some CR-530 Inside Epoxy.
  5. Pour the epoxy into the pop-out.  Be careful not to overfill or underfill.  The epoxy should be flush with the surface.
  6. Once the epoxy is dry, apply another coat of sealer to the entire floor.

The pop-outs are now filled with a clear epoxy that allows the stain color to show through and is flush with the surface.  Since no new concrete was added, the stain color/pattern is consistent throughout, including the pop-outs. The second coat of sealer provides an even finish to the floor.

Presto! The pop-outs have disappeared.

Thanks, Chris!

Six LinkedIn Profile Tips To Get You More Attention

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Begin by setting up a free LinkedIn Account. Your profile is a traveling brochure for you — available to the public and the search engines, plus VERY available to people in the LinkedIn network who can use your decorative concrete services.

The headline on your new profile is important — it is that first impression. Make it say what and who you are in 120 characters including punctuation.

Example for Joe Contractor: Decorative Concrete | Engraving | Staining | Polishing | Finding Existing Concrete’s Low Maintenance Beauty (this is only 93 characters)

Use the SUMMARY area to describe everything you can do with concrete. Don’t expect people to read your mind. You can add sections, then lift the things you do the VERY best out for the Specialties area.

Your experience is valuable — people can look at your work history as you list it, plus see the continuity of your experience through employers to being self-employed.

Connections and recommendations will come as soon as you have completed your account.

The website listing space is something that is often misinterpreted. Where LinkedIn has a default “Company Website,” they intend for you to put your company name. Doing so  helps reinforce your name with one more mention instead of a default faceless link. If you have a Twitter account, you can list it here to extend your marketing efforts.

A great deal more can be done with LinkedIn, but it all takes time and planning. For the beginning, simply use LinkedIn as another Internet Billboard and let it work for you 24/7.

If you have questions about LinkedIn profiles, just ask in the comments section below. Or, ask at our Facebook page “Engrave-A-Crete Decorative Concrete Engraving Tools and Supplies”

 

 

 

Special Prices for February 2012 Decorative Concrete Training Seminar

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February 2012 Discovery and Training Seminar has new things to show the students and some intriguing specials.

After registering to attend at the regular $895.00 tuition, an attendee can add another person (buddy) for the Bring-A-Buddy special pricing.

Sign up your buddy by January 27th, 2012 and he pays only $295 for the full three days of hands-on training in the huge facility specially designed for learning decorative concrete engraving. After the 27th, the price changes according to the following schedule.

Sign up by February 3 and the additional attendee pays $395.00

Sign up by February 10 and the additional attendee pays $495.00

Sign up by February 17 and the additional attendee pays $595.00

The February 17th amount is an impressive discount for Seminar tuition. But, acting NOW can result in even greater saving. Plus signing up earlier can give you a better assurance of a spot because the session is limited to 21 seats.

The seminar includes hands-on use of the quality Engrave-A-Crete tools and Concrete Resurrection stains and sealers. There will be an installation session for the new Solar Lightpod System. Arrive a day early and watch Darrel preview the awesome Composite Stoneworks system and process at 2:00 pm on Tuesday. To learn more, check out the Engrave-A-Crete web site where you can view videos and photos from previous seminars.

Call 800-884-2114 today to get your seminar registration going. We look forward to seeing you.

 

Blustery Winter Weather Affects Shipment of Decorative Concrete Supplies | DO NOT FREEZE!

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Cold Weather Shipping Plans for Engrave-A-Crete & Concrete Resurrection

It’s that time of year again! Winter means we must make proper arrangements to protect Concrete Resurrection decorative concrete products from freezing.

When you’re planning an order adequate delivery times must be factored in. If you have questions, please call 800-884-2114. The friendly staff at Engrave-A-Crete will help you set up a plan that will keep your shipment safe while allowing it to arrive on time.

Products that are subject to damage if allowed to freeze are:

  • Inside Acrylic
  • Epoxy
  • Water Reducible Concentrate (WRC) Stains
  • Inside Floor Finish
  • Polychromatic Stains
  • Liquid Modifier for Mantello Resurfacer

In Missouri, we’ve had an amazingly mild winter so far, but the weatherman is promising more cold for February. We know that the winter will come. Some of the nice days have very cold nights. Some orders are headed where ‘mild winter’ is a myth.

Working together, we can keep things going forward without damage to the stains and supplies needed to transform concrete in to amazing works of art.

 

Social Media Declares, “I Love Decorative Concrete”

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Workiing together in the decorative concrete community“I Love Decorative Concrete” is the title of two new social media groups on the Internet. The groups were launched at Facebook and LinkedIn by Todd Rose of  Todd Rose Concrete.   

The community of decorative concrete people can offer stability and encouragement to members from entry level to long-time concreters.

The group at LinkedIn is very active, while the Facebook group has spurts of activity. Both are well-moderated; the members are addressing some pretty intense and useful topics with information, opinion, civility and maturity. It is a good place to ask technical questions or business management questions. And to add your 2 cents worth.

Groups, forums and local organizations are only what the members make of them. It takes a lot of dedication to start a community, both online and in reality. Moderating and supplying topics are not easy jobs. The people who’ve been in the trenches enjoy the exchange and conversation…we all like to help others. By doing that, we build a strong community that can pass the torch to the newbies and keep things rolling along.

People are posting promotions — some are looking to hire for sales or other activity, some are offering product for sale. Everyone seems to be making the effort to be quiet about advertising their own services or products. There are marketing tips about using LinkedIn for your business. Specifications for architects and designers are busy topics, along with those discussing misinformed data analysis. There are questions about colors and measurements, along with “Hello, I’m here.” introductory posts that showcase some amazing work.

As part of your business development and marketing plan, check out these groups at Facebook and LinkedIn. The title is the same at both sites: “I Love Decorative Concrete.” You will find plenty to learn by keeping quiet and reading. You will see places where you can share and encourage. Your membership in a LinkedIn group enhances your profile.