Plucker Concrete Designs, Inc. continually strives for the best possible customer service. In that light, the best canvas to stain is on new, untouched concrete. Projects involving newly laid concrete on construction sites often pose the problem of multiple sub-contractors all working on the surface that is to be stained. Unless these sub-contractors are properly advised to take the appropriate precautions the floor can become contaminated and thereby affecting the outcome of the staining process. The finished floor is a direct result of its being free of any foreign substances. Cover and protect your slab from sub-contractor activity. Your floor's condition is a result of your sub-contractors being specifically instructed "do not spill pipe adhesives, solvents, paints or varnishes, as the slab is the finished floor!" The floors should be clean and the rooms empty with absolutely nothing on the floors prior to the arrival of the crew. Our fees do not include removing the paper, moving furniture, tools, equipment, fixtures, building materials or otherwise. There should be no other trades on the floors or scheduled at the same time, unless they are working on the exterior only. For this reason the following is a list of tips for the homeowner/contractor to follow to ensure the surface of the concrete will be in perfect condition for staining:
Pre-Construction Tips for the Homeowner/General Contractor
1) Acid stains are most affected by impurities imbedded in the surface of the concrete. Oils and adhesives will turn black when exposed to the acids in the stains. The stains used are water based for the purpose of better penetration and will be repelled by oils, adhesives and sealers. Pencil and certain chalk marks will show through the stain and will represent blemishes in the final design.
2) Staining is a very wet process. We use quick release tapes to protect your baseboard trim and to hold our paper against your walls for stain protection. However, we are not liable for paint peel-offs or stained trim.
3) All stains on floor, chips in concrete or cracks will still be evident after work in completed. Any patches in concrete will also be visible. Remember, we are making the floor look "aged"! Defects are acceptable.
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4) The finished floor must be kept vacuumed to prevent dirt from acting as an abrasive and thus dulling the shine. After cleaning a small amount of Mop & Glo will bring out the luster once again. Apply as needed! Commercial liquid wax products are available if you want a professional shine.
5) Floor surface can be marked by heavy furniture or metal objects. Take a little care!
6) After inspection of finished floor, it is the complete responsibility of owners, builders and/or general contractors to protect the stained and sealed floor until occupancy has been completed.
7) There must be two 110 volt outlets on two separate 20 amp breakers not more than 150 feet from the furthest point of the slab available to our crew alone. Additionally, running water and trash receptacles must be available.
8) We make every effort to provide beautiful and cost effective floors. Our prices do not include excessive cleaning, samples, post construction cleaning, protective covering or any other service not itemized in the proposal. Our prices are based upon actual square footage. Just as the architect and appraiser measures, so do we -- wall to wall. We do not credit for cabinets, built-ins, etc. This is industry standard.
9) Touch ups are often needed and should be expected following stain, seal and/or wax work. Schedule the touch up painters after our work is completely finished.
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10) Acid stains are chemically reactive metallic salts which seek out and react with the lime in the concrete. As such, they can be manipulated but not controlled and anticipated but not guaranteed. Our color chart shows typical color reactions. However, every slab is different. Every pour of concrete will react independently to the stains. All elements and circumstances affect the outcome of the floors. Temperature, humidity, age of concrete, batch of stain, batch mix design of concrete, accelerators, fly ash, wind, and instructions listed herein and the like all contribute to the outcome of the floors. Exact colors and stain patterns cannot be achieved. It is fundamental that all parties involved understand this.
11) To insure proper scheduling, please contact us at least 3 weeks in advance. We work diligently to accommodate many schedules. Please assist us by communicating your project status as well as any questions or concerns you may have. We are committed to the outcome of the floors. We appreciate that you are too.
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Some common contractor practices that cannot be corrected:
Concrete Contractors - only use wet curing for new slabs! Do not use curing agents (curing agents block the stains' penetration), rosin paper or plastic sheeting (folds in the plastic will transfer in the staining process and rosin paper will leave patterns.
Plumbers dropping pipe solvent on the floor - it's clear and will only show after stain is applied - no recourse!
Carpenters like to snap lines for walls with red oxide chalk - make them switch to fluorescent orange chalk dust - red is permanent. Do not store store wood on the concrete slab as the wood can stain the concrete surface leaving a ghost impression or transfer the paint from the plywood to the concrete.
Electricians use spray paint to designate outlets along base of walls on my floor - these marks do not readily come up.
Sheetrock contractors are quite messy. Make them cover the floor to catch their mud.
Contractors - "Marks-A-Lot" on the floor is a no-no! After staining take measures to protect the floor finish. Do not use tape directly on the floor, the tape can literally pull off the surface of the concrete including the stain, sealer and wax. |
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