We offer a two year guarantee on the product and workmanship under normal use and conditions.  Spills of some solvent material, petroleum and other chemical products, if not promptly cleaned up can damage the surface.  Abuse through the use of heavy equipment, hammers, snow plows etc. or dragging a heavy object with sharp edges or corners could also cause damage to the surface.  While we will work with any of our customers to correct problems, conditions such as those mentioned could void any warranty.

3.  Is there a “long term” warranty?

We are glad to offer a 10-year guarantee on the surface providing the customer is willing to maintain the surface as recommended. This means the application of new clear sealant every two years.  There would be a charge for this application based on the size of the area and the original product used.  Of course this would be a fraction of the new surface installation cost.

4.  Is Artistic Concrete Finishes, LLC insured?

Yes we are.  We carry both liability insurance and workman’s compensation insurance.  We are glad to provide a certificate of insurance to any client that requests one.

5.  Do your products stop concrete cracking?

While our coatings strengthen the concrete surfaces, NO products will prevent concrete from cracking.  Cracking will occur because of temperature extremes, soil shrinkage or swell and natural settlement of fill after construction.

6.  Are existing cracks covered and sealed by your coatings?

Though most of the coatings will cover and seal cracks, we take it a step further.  To insure the long term stability and beauty of your coating we grind out existing cracks and fill them with a high density hybrid urethane fill which bonds to the existing concrete.  The new coating is then applied over the epoxy fill.

7.  Can I do this myself?

If you are a glutton for punishment, go ahead!  Most large home improvement centers such as Home Depot or Lowe’s sell concrete coating products.  The first problem with these “do it yourself” products is not the quality of the product but your ability to properly prepare the concrete surface for good adhesion.  Without a complete cleaning of the surface by pressure washing at a minimum of 3750 psi (more than the normal home unit can produce) or a complete grinding, scarifying, of the surface, you are guaranteed that the product will peel and pull up in a short period of time.

The second problem is time.  This is not a one day job.  In fact, be prepared to have your home disrupted for at least two full weekends or more.  The real question is, is this the way you want to spend your weekends? 

Thirdly is the cost.  When you factor in the cost of the products, rental equipment for surface preparation, application tools and your time and aggravation, the most cost effective solution is to call a professional.

Lastly the selection of products and colors for the do it yourselfer is extremely limited.

8.  How long do your coatings take to dry and cure?

This, of course, depends a lot on the air temperature.  Under normal dry conditions at 50 degrees or above the drying time is usually 24 hours for foot traffic.  We recommend 7 days for garages, driveways or other areas that will be carrying an extremely heavy load.

9.  Will temperature extremes affect exterior coatings?

No, all of the coatings are designed to flex and move with the concrete as it expands and contracts and still maintain their bond.

10.  Can rock salt or “ice melt” be used on the finished surface in the winter?

Yes, they can, since the coatings create a non-porous surface.  It is important that any residue be hosed off of the surfaces after any thaw as salts are a corrosive compound.

11.  Are there any ecological or health risks associated with these products?

If used correctly, according to the product label, there are no risks.  Some of the products do require ventilation during the application and drying process.  We recommend the use of the water based low-odor products for interior living space applications such as basements.  We will be glad to provide copies of the Material Safety Data Sheets for any of our products to any client who requests them.

12.  Do you use Muriatic Acid in your surface preparation?

No we do not.  The run off created when Muriatic Acid is used to clean large concrete surfaces has been determined to present an environmental risk.  Many localities have actually banned its use because of this.  We use environmentally friendly, biodegradable, cleaners in our surface preparation.

13.  Is temperature and weather a factor in when the coatings can be applied?

Absolutely!  The air and surface temperature must a minimum of fifty degrees Fahrenheit for both the application and the product set up.  It also must be dry for the complete drying time.  While this will not affect interior applications, the scheduling and completion of exterior applications is definitely weather dependent.

14.  What makes the products so durable?

All of the products are manufactured with high density epoxies, polymers and acrylics. These materials are used in everything from automobiles to spacecraft components and have proven to be extremely durable even in exposed locations.  When applied to concrete these products actually become one with the structure of the concrete. Because these products actually bond with the concrete, they make the concrete surface much denser than the original pour. In addition to the acrylics and epoxies, many of the products also include blends of pulverized or granular stone or quartz. This not only provides increased durability but also a beautiful and attractive surface.

15.  Are these products waterproof?

Yes, they are. The fact that all of these products are water proof further increases the life and strength of your concrete by stopping the absorption of moisture.  Water and moisture getting into concrete, especially in freezing temperatures, is one of the key causes of concrete deterioration.

16.  How thick are the coatings when applied?

While the specifics depend on the products you choose for your location, they average from 3/32 to 1/4 of an inch thick.  However, some of our products are not coatings, they are concrete treatments.  Acid stained concrete and concrete polishing for example.