Category Archives: Decorative Concrete News

News from the world of decorative concrete.

You Asked For It!

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You asked for it – we’re about to deliver.

The 3-D Tile pattern featured on the trophy slab at a recent seminar has proven to be a big hit on today’s market.

If you missed the opportunity to learn this complex-looking layout, you have another chance.

Brandon Adamson, distinguished master concrete engraver, will teach the class again during the April 25-27, 2012 Discovery and Training Seminar.

While the 3-D Tile pattern looks complicated, Brandon will demonstrate efficient layout techniques and attendees will use the revolutionary new Mongoose X to install the design with ease.

Popular colors will be used to stain the design elements, transforming the surface into the showcase pattern customers are looking for.

The 3-D Tile class is in addition to the regular content featured in our monthly seminar.

And there’s more…

Those who pay full tuition to attend our April seminar will take home…

  • FREE Wasp (valued at $399)
  • FREE Seminar Sampler Pack of 8 RAC and 8 WRC stains in our most popular colors (valued at $291)

Due to the intense training for the 3-D Tile pattern, seating is limited. This seminar is loaded with top-of-the-line content and free merchandise, so slots are going fast.

Don’t delay. Call us today at 800-884-2114 to register.

How to Remove Mineral Spots and Keep Your Customer Happy

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One of our contractors, we’ll call him Sam, called to ask us about white spots on the driveway he had recently stained and sealed. (see the picture below)  Needless to say, his customer was not happy.

Sam was relieved to find out the problem wasn’t serious and the solution was easy.

So, what caused the problem, and what should you do if you find yourself in Sam’s situation?

According to Chris Mirabal, our Senior Tech Advisor, the problem is generally caused by water droplets from a sprinkler or irrigation system landing on the concrete. As moisture from the droplets evaporates, a mineral deposit is left behind in the form of white spots.

Is the problem going to rear its ugly head every time it rains?

No, we don’t see the same effect from rainwater since it is “soft” and doesn’t become “hard” until it picks up calcium or magnesium ions as it passes through the soil and bedrock. Groundwater is the culprit.

To fix the problem:

  1.  Mix 1 part white vinegar to 1½ parts water in a pump-up sprayer.
  2. Wet down a workable area with the vinegar/water solution and scrub. (The vinegar solution can kill adjacent grass, so use it carefully.)
  3. Pressure wash.
  4. Blow dry the area with a high-power leaf blower. (Since you’re using “hard” water from the water supply to power wash, it’s important to avoid allowing the wash water to dry, thus create new spots.)

Once you’re finished, take time to talk with your customer about adjusting the sprinkler system so that it doesn’t spray the concrete.  Not only will he avoid the problem of mineral deposits, he will also reduce his water costs while protecting water as a natural resource by using it more efficiently. That’s a win-win for everybody.

Grout Line Choices – Keep Your Customer Happy

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Picture this: You’ve beautifully stained and engraved a flagstone pattern on your customer’s walkway.  The color is perfect and the grout lines are a lovely light shade of gray.

Then you apply the sealer.

Yikes! Gone are the good-looking grout lines, only to be replaced by dark gray (your customer calls them horrid and unsightly) grout lines.

How can you avoid this nightmare?

According to Chris Mirabal, Senior Tech Advisor at Engrave-A-Crete, there are two methods for dealing with grout lines when installing a flagstone pattern.

Method A

  1. Prep surface and apply stain using correct procedures.
  2. Apply the sealer as directed.
  3. Engrave the grout lines.

Advantages: The grout lines show up a nice, light gray.

Disadvantages: (1) All the stones will be the same color. You won’t be able to apply a contrasting stain to individual stones because you won’t know where they are until you engrave and you can’t stain over the sealer that’s already been applied.

(2) The grout lines are now unsealed making them susceptible to stains from the environment such as oil, leaf stain, etc.

 

Method B

  1. Prep the surface and apply stain to the entire surface using correct procedures.
  2. Engrave the grout lines.
  3. Use a contrasting color(s) to highlight random stones.  (If you get a bit of stain in the grout line, touch it up with your engraving tool.)
  4. Apply the sealer as directed.

Advantages: Individual stones can be highlighted for a more interesting and natural looking pattern.

Disadvantages: The grout lines will be dark.

Be sure to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both methods with your customer before you begin the job.

By letting him make the decision about which method you use, you will eliminate the ugly surprise of grout lines that don’t live up to expectations.

Hot Marketing Tips – Fourth in a Series

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It’s time to talk marketing again.  Here are more suggestions on easy ways to market your decorative concrete business.

  1.  Contact the big box stores to conduct a demo for their store customers.  Some companies have policies against outside contractors, but others are okay with guest presenters. Locally owned building centers are often easier to get into and are effective, too
  2. Be aware of the job site passerby.  Make an extra effort to smile and wave at those who slow down and look. When they walk up to your job, continue to operate momentarily to show them how the job is done, then stop to chat. They may be your next customer and their neighbor may be the job after that.
  3. Hang a brochure or information box on your trailer.  Letter it “FREE INFO – TAKE ONE” and fill it with brochures or handouts.  Whether you’re running into the quick stop to grab a cup of coffee, or picking up supplies at your local discount store, your trailer is busy spreading the word about how you transform concrete from drab to beautiful.
  4. Let realtors know what you do.  Often they advise home sellers on how to dress up driveways or basement floors for quicker sales at a better price.
  5. Have inserts placed in shopping guides and home sale guides. Most publications allow you to pick certain distribution zones or neighborhoods.  Check out the potential markets in various areas and choose the ones that are likely to give you the highest return on your investment.

Not every suggestion is right for every contractor. Choose the ones that you think would work in your area and give them a try.  The only wrong choice is to do no marketing at all.

Great Start for Decorative Concrete in Brazil

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It’s not just North Americans who want good-looking concrete! The international market has caught on to the trend of transforming ugly, gray concrete into decorative surfaces with some real pizzazz.

Gabriel Sousa, of Admantium CP, attended our Decorative Concrete Training Seminar a few months ago and took what he learned straight to Brazil, where his business is doing well.

Sousa said in a recent email, “Just wanted to send you a picture of our first job using the tools and techniques we learned at the EAC Seminar last May.

“I know it has been a while, but we had such a memorable experience with Brandon and Darrel in particular that we have been eager to show you what we picked up.

“The pictures I’ve posted are of an entrance to a business here in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. We used the Mongoose to engrave the decorative saw cuts in between “planks”, and used the EAC Acid Stains and Water-Based Stains to do all the coloring of the ramp.

“We hope you guys like it and we wanted to demonstrate both our appreciation of the seminar skills and our determination in growing the engraved concrete market here in Brazil! Much more to come!”

We salute Gabriel and his associates for a job well done, and we wish them continued prosperity in the decorative concrete industry!