Yearly Archives: 2018

What You Need to Know About Polished Concrete

One of the chief issues we run into with concrete, whether in an industrial or residential setting, is cleaning. Natural concrete is slightly rough and abrasive, and can create some minor issues when it comes to cleaning and basic maintenance.

At Packman’s Coatings, we’re here to provide a simple solution: Polished concrete. Not only will high-quality polished concrete be easier to clean, it also has a beautiful shine and can help with long-term durability. Here are some basic details on the history of concrete polishing, how it’s done, and how it can benefit you in both industrial and residential areas.

need to know polished concrete

Concrete Polishing History

Concrete polishing first began showing up roughly 10 years ago, when it was used in a warehouse setting for several purposes: Helping with lighting, decreasing equipment wear and tear, removing dusting needs, and to bring in better and more permanent flooring solutions for environments where this kind of thing is vital.

Before long, though, technology allowed contractors to add several beneficial customization properties to concrete polishing, including new colors, decorative cuts and others. These advances allowed concrete polishing to become far more common, entering the restaurant, retail, office and even the residential space in short order. All these areas can benefit from concrete surfaces that are not only easier to clean, but look better and last longer.

Polishing Process and “Grits”

The process of polished concrete begins by the surface being refined to achieve a finish using a process involving “grits,” a measurement format similar to sand paper for woodworking. Grits each refine the concrete differently, applied from roughest to finest. Contractors will use between six and nine grits depending on the exact surface desired, plus will use an item called a densifier to increase the density of the structure and improve its stain resistance and fill in any imperfections. Grits can also be used for several other concrete processes – polished concrete is just one possible outcome.

Polished Concrete by Floor Type

Polished concrete has uses across a wide array of areas, from heavy industrial fields down to basic garage floors, driveways, patios and other important residential concrete areas. Here’s how it can be beneficial in both residential and industrial areas:

  • Residential concrete: If you have polished concrete in your home, there’s no need for any carpet, wood tile ore similar material – all of which come with significant maintenance concerns and, even if you follow all these perfectly, will need to be replaced relatively often. Polished concrete is more durable, and also comes with none of these concerns. Maintenance is simple and easy, and your floors both look beautiful and benefit the environment more than those other types.
  • Industrial: In a wide variety of settings, polished concrete’s low maintenance requirements makes it a top choice. It’s used in everything from warehouses and manufacturing plants to schools, vehicle showroom floors and many other areas. Any business looking to combine aesthetically pleasing products with economically sound choices looks to polished concrete.

For more on polished concrete, or to learn about any of our concrete coatings or concrete staining services, speak to the pros at Packman’s Coatings today.

Deck Waterproofing Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to several important areas of your home, waterproofing is a vital necessity. Moisture finding its way into certain areas of the home can lead to everything from structural damage to mold formation, and also can set you up for major costs in terms of repair or replacement of affected areas.

At Packman’s Coatings, we’re here to help with our waterproof concrete coatings. Perfect for decks, patios and other similar areas, these coatings have all the sealing power needed to combat the heavy Utah environment, which can include regular snow and ice during winter. We need your help, though – we can’t bring our fantastic coating services to your home or building unless you’re consciously aware of any issues with your current waterproofing and what they might be telling you. Here are some mistakes we see clients make in this area, plus what to be looking out for.

Mistake #1: Ignoring Signs

The first mistake here is also the most common one: Simply ignoring the more obvious signs of potential water damage due to badly coated concrete. One such sign is smell – when you enter your basement or attic and there’s water damage present, you can usually detect it based on the musky or damp odor it gives off. Another sign could be visible leaks in lower areas of the home, such as crawl spaces.

At the first indication these signs are present, call our professionals about re-sealing the above areas. Waiting to do this will only increase the damage being done, which will cost you more down the line.

deck waterproofing mistakes avoid

Mistake #2: Cheap Fixes

Some homeowners think waterproofing is too expensive, so they try for cheaper quick fixes like homemade seals or store-bought covers. But these products don’t actually address the root of the issue, instead just putting a temporary Band-Aid on it – and once again, it will be more expensive to fix down the line when this Band-Aid eventually falls off, which it will.

Mistake #3: Soil Slope Issues

One common cause of water issues near the home is sloping – if the ground near your home leads toward it, particularly in the soil directly outside the home, you risk significant leaks and water problems. In addition, a warm basement will shoot heat into the soil around your foundation, making it more spongy and potentially leading to water soaking up faster.

Mistake #4: No/Wrong Professional Assistance

Unless you’re a certified waterproofing professional, we don’t recommend attempting to fix your waterproofing issues on your own. This job requires more than just a brush and some waterproof paint – paint is really just coating, and isn’t actually the part of our process that provides you with high-quality waterproofing.

Furthermore, like any situation where you’re hiring people to work on your home, you have to make the right choice. Not all waterproofing companies are equal, and we invite you to compare us to our local competition – we’re confident our reputation and history will speak for itself.

For more on avoiding common waterproofing mistakes, or to learn about any of our deck coating or other concrete coating services, speak to the pros at Packman’s Coatings today.

How Coatings Help With Tire Marks

First impressions of homes are often a very big deal, particularly if you’re thinking about selling anytime in the near future, and one detractor from a beautiful home appearance is tire marks in the driveway or on your garage floor. These marks can directly impact home curb appeal, and for many homeowners, they become a priority for maintenance just like mowing the lawn or planting flowers.

At Packman’s Coatings, our concrete coating and staining solutions can directly benefit you in this area. Did you realize that epoxy coatings not only limit the potential for tire marks in the first place, but also make them far easier to clean off in cases where they do show up? Let’s look at how tire marks form in the first place, plus why it’s so much easier to keep your garage and driveway free of them if you have epoxy coatings on your concrete.

coatings help tire marks

Tire Mark Causes

Tires are made using rubber, but to get a little more detailed, they use items called “plasticizers.” Plasticizers can be made from a few different polymer compounds, each of which are designed to give some level of flexibility to the rubber used in the tire. Plasticizers play a role in everything from basic tire traction to tire performance in cold weather, plus much more.

When plasticizers become hot, however, they can leach out from the tires themselves. And it’s easy for this to happen – the friction created with the road while you drive can often lead to this kind of heat. It can also happen when your car sits for a long time in a single position, a process called plasticizer migration that’s most common if the car is sitting out in the sun.

Removing Marks From Epoxy Coated-Floors

If you have epoxy coatings on your driveway and garage floor, you’re in great shape if you run into tire plasticizers leaching out and creating tire marks. These marks are usually very easy to clean, requiring nothing more than some basic soap and water and a little elbow grease. This is just one of the numerous benefits these coatings offer – they even help limit this leaching from happening in the first place, as these surfaces aren’t as conducive to this process as uncoated concrete.

Removing Marks From Non-Coated Floors

If your concrete is not coated, on the other hand, you’ll run into many more issues when it comes to removing stains and tire marks. Concrete degreasers sometimes work, but they also may not, depending on how long the tire tracks have had time to sink in for. You can also consider various chemical solvents and cleaners along with a pressure washer, though your results may vary and your costs will be far higher than the simple soap and water needed for a coated floor.

For more on removing tire marks from your concrete, or to learn about any of our concrete coating solutions, speak to the pros at Packman’s Coatings today.

Why Epoxy Coatings Are Valuable in Garages

Homeowners are always looking for the trends that impact their home value, and one such trend in recent years is an updated garage. Buyers on today’s market definitely care how your garage looks and functions, and having modern looks and functionality in your space can make a big difference – both to home value and your own daily comfort.

At Packman’s Coatings, we’re here to help using our garage floor coating services. Our epoxy coatings are perfect for garage floors as well as numerous other surfaces, and there are several reasons why. Let’s look at why epoxy is such a great choice for a garage floor coating, plus how it adds directly to your home value.

epoxy coatings valuable garages

Safety

Many people think of the aesthetic side first, and rightly so – epoxy coatings add a glossy, sleek look to any floor. But at Packman’s Coatings, we’re just as interested in the safety elements that our epoxy coatings can add.

Think about some of the things you do in your garage on a regular basis. For instance, you’ll often load or remove large items from your vehicle; you’ll regularly transport bulkier tools or machinery like lawnmowers; and of course, you’ll store a wide variety of items, depending on your needs.

Will you be able to do all these things safely if you have a cracked, uneven garage floor? Chances are, the answer is no. Trip-and-fall injuries can be costly and serious, and they’re far more likely with an imperfect garage floor accompanying what’s already a darker, sometimes-colder room in the house. Epoxy coatings, however, seal up these kinds of cracks and prevent these risks.

Space

Another major use of the garage is for storage, but most people don’t really think about how a great garage floor impacts the storage space you have available. Coating the floor is often the first step toward making a garage space more lively and useful – the shining floors inspire many people to make full use of the space they have available, and also ensure that all areas of the floor are suitable for long-term item storage.

Aesthetics

As we mentioned above, aesthetics are usually the first reason our clients look to epoxy coatings. Garage floors take quite a beating in many homes, picking up oil drips and other moisture while running the risks of cracks or other damage while bearing extremely high weight loads.

Epoxy coatings help protect against all these issues and more. They provide a beautiful-looking seal that not only benefits you practically, but improves the feel and visuals of a room you’ll be in quite often.

Home Value

As we noted earlier, garage improvements are a growing trend for people looking to raise home values. New garage elements increase the value of your home directly, both through curb appeal and practicality improvements. They can also play a huge role in your storage space, which is another huge factor on today’s market.

For more on why epoxy coatings are so valuable for your garage floor, or to learn about our waterproof concrete coating or any of our other services, speak to the pros at Packman’s Coatings today.

Questions to Ask a Waterproofer

At Packman’s Coatings, we’re supremely confident in the work we do with concrete coatings, epoxy coatings, deck coating and numerous related areas. We’re so confident, in fact, that we welcome comparisons to our competitors – this is the kind of thing all savvy home and business owners should be doing when considering services like ours, and we know we’ll stack up well.

When it comes to waterproof deck coatings, there are several important specific areas you should be thinking about as you canvass for the best professionals for the job. Here are some important questions to make sure you get the service you deserve.

questions ask waterproofer

Are You Licensed and Certified?

This may seem simple and obvious, but you’d be shocked at how many people and businesses in this sphere attempt to skirt the rules and operate without the proper licenses and certifications. Providing this kind of basic information should be no problem for any reputable deck coating company – most individual technicians will generally have a small pocket version of their license that they can show to any customers who want to see it. If there’s any issue here, even if it’s just some hesitance, this could be a red flag.

How Long Have You Operated?

Another important area to ask about is the length of time a given business has been in operation and providing deck coating services. Companies that have been around for a long time generally have more experience, and this is also a sign that they’ve been able to draw repeat business due to the quality of their services. At Packman’s Coatings, we’ve been in business for nearly 15 years.

In addition, don’t forget to ask for proof of this work history. Pictures and other samples are a standard part of these services – if a business can’t provide you with any, you might have cause to question their claims about work history.

Can You Offer References?

Another red flag? A coating company that can’t provide you with customer references for recent services, or attempts to lead you elsewhere instead of doing so. No company that provides the services it claims to has any reason to avoid customers passing on their success stories.

Is Waterproofing a Specialty?

In many cases, large-scale contracting companies include deck coating as one service in a vast sea of others – despite not actually training their technicians to carry it out properly. A contractor who specializes in roof repair won’t necessarily have the expertise to properly waterproof your deck, for instance. You want to be sure the company you hire has professionals who specify in this service.

What Are the Options for My Issue?

Another sign of a reputable deck coating professional is one who can answer your questions right away. When you call and ask about your deck issues, you should be given options for fixing your problems, plus detailed pricing estimates if you ask for them.

For more on the proper questions to ask before hiring someone to waterproof your deck, or to learn about any of our deck coating or concrete services, speak to the staff at Packman’s Coatings today.

Signs Your Deck Needs Waterproofing

At Packman’s Coatings, we’re proud to offer numerous concrete coating services to protect various areas of your home or business from the elements and potential wear and tear. One such offering is our waterproof concrete coatings, which we apply to decks and other areas to keep them looking great and limit your maintenance concerns.

Before we can get to work protecting these areas of your home, however, you have to first identify the signs that waterproofing might be needed on your deck. There are several notable red flags that might lead you in this direction – here are a few of the most common.

signs deck needs waterproofin

Stains Below

One of the first and most easily noticeable signs that your deck is in dire need of waterproofing is the presence of stains on the underside of your deck. If your deck is on a higher floor of the home, you’ll be able to see these stains easily when you stand underneath it. These spots will be most commonly found directly after a rain or snow storm, and are particularly visible on wood products. They also commonly show up on concrete decks as well, however, and this is a sign that waterproofing is badly needed.

Soft Spots

This is another factor that’s seen more often in wooden decks, though it can be found across all materials. If you’ve noticed plywood that’s become soft in certain areas, this is often a sign that it’s rotting – or that it’s being infested by termites, which is even worse in some cases. The sooner you catch this the better, as it will allow you to correct any infestation and also get a waterproof coating down quickly to preserve your deck.

Visible Cracks

Wood is known for the way it can expand and contract, and moisture is the primary cause of this behavior. When dry wood absorbs moisture through cracks or other openings, it expands and contracts in ways that lead to cracking and splitting in the deck. If you have a wood deck and you notice these issues beginning to form, chances are waterproofing is the best solution for you.

Peeling or Flecking

Has it been a while since you stained your deck? Know that many stain types will require re-coating after a given period of time, and they may indicate this to you through peeling or flecking of stain materials. If you notice this, it could be a good idea to re-coat the stain and entirely waterproof the deck.

Broken or Loose Material

Both concrete and wooden decks can be damaged by a few different things, including weather and various sources of moisture. Check metal flashing as well as the entire deck, and if you notice defects, consider whether preventing water from entering could have avoided these issues.

For more on signs that your deck needs waterproofing, or to learn about any of our deck coating or concrete coating services, speak to the staff at Packman’s Coatings today.

What is Epoxy and Why Should You Add It To Your Floors?

A common question we get asked is what is epoxy. People love to talk about all the benefits of adding epoxy to concrete floors, but they often skip over basic understanding of what it is.

This substance is made out of synthetic polymers. It forms a material that appears to be like plastic only much stronger and more durable.

Once it’s set, epoxy is nonporous, which is why it’s water resistant. It’s applied on top of concrete and can be multicolored or clear. Epoxy will yellow overtime if exposed to too much UV light, so many people prefer to use it inside the home.

what is epoxy flooring

 

Now that you know what epoxy is, it’s time to understand why it’s so popular. Here are 5 benefits of it.

1. Strength and Longevity

One of the biggest reasons that people like to add epoxy to their concrete floors is because it helps their pavement last much longer.

This substance is incredibly strong and scratch resistant. If you’re tired of your concrete showing wear and tear over the years look into adding an epoxy top coat. Even if your concrete has been in use for 10 years, the epoxy layer will still make it look brand new.

2. Easy Cleaning

This solution is not only water resistant but it’s also chemical resistant as well. That means you don’t have to worry about unforgiveable damages if an oil spill was left on it over night.

Simply spray down the area and within a couple of minutes your floor will look bright and shiny again.

3. Beautiful and Diverse

Concrete by itself can be made to look pretty. However, when epoxy is added it competes with some of the most beautiful flooring. In fact, with the high gloss finish, it might even be mistaken for tile.

Epoxy comes in a variety of colors and designs. You’ll easily be able to find an incredible look for your home and style.

4. Safer

Lastly, and most importantly, epoxy gives you and your family better protection. Not only is it environmentally superior than its alternatives but it’s also fire resistant. That extra layer of protection can go a long way when problems arise.

However, the benefits don’t end there. Epoxy coats are not slippery or rough. They are resistant to bacteria and germs, and they improve visibility.

This is especially beneficial when installed in garages.

What Is Epoxy?

Epoxy is a unique coating that greatly benefits the floor it is on. While we’ve mentioned some of the most popular benefits of this process, there are many more waiting to be discovered by you and your family.

Here at Packman’s Coatings we install epoxy coats to concrete floors. We’ve worked with the material hundreds of times. This makes it easy for us to answer questions like what is epoxy?

If you have any more questions about sealing coats, concrete or pavement call us today! We can’t wait to answer them.

3 Reasons You Should Get Indoor Concrete Floors

Indoor concrete floors are a wonderful option if your home can support them.

Traditionally, when many people think of concrete floors, they imagine the foundation of the house or what’s underneath the carpet. Indoor concrete floors are much more beautiful than these types of floors and can be customized with dozens of designs and finishes. In fact, they can even be finished to look like tile, only at a much more affordable price.

Should Get Indoor Concrete Floors

Along with the stunning nature of epoxy-covered concrete floors, they have many other benefits that you, as a homeowner, will enjoy.

Low Maintenance

When concrete has been sealed with a topcoat, its surface becomes incredibly smooth and hard. This means that dirt and spills won’t be able to penetrate the surface and stain the pavement.

Because of this, indoor concrete floors are some of the easiest to maintain. To keep them clean, all you need to do is sweep and mop. Its nature means that you won’t have to be on your hands and knees scrubbing for hours to make it look new again.

Instead, just use a soft cleanser and a mop and it will be shining in no time.

Added Comfort

Another exceptional perk of concrete floors is that they can be heated.  Say goodbye to cold toes in the winter. Concrete slabs are great conductors for heated floors. While they allow heat to pass through, they’re also insulated just enough to prevent it from becoming too hot.

Talk to your installation expert about the possibility of running heated pipes underneath your concrete floor.

Finished concrete is also very smooth. While some tiles and grouts can be rough or jaded, concrete tends to stay smooth for the duration of its life. You won’t have to worry about stubbing your toes when you have concrete.

Longevity and Durability

The last benefit and one of the most valuable is its long life. Well-maintained concrete will look great for decades.

It’s incredibly strong. In fact, concrete is used on driveways and roads all across Utah. If it can handle tons of weight constantly passing over it, it can handle whatever is in your home.

You won’t have to worry about it getting dented or scratched, and even if it does crack, it’s quick and easy ways to repair. If you’re looking for a floor that you can install once and never have to think about again, concrete is a good option.

Learn More About Indoor Concrete Floors

Indoor concrete floors rival even the most expensive woods and tiles for beauty. It’s no wonder that so many people are flocking to this new trend.

Its long life and low maintenance also make it one of the most cost-effective flooring options available. Call Packman’s Coatings today to see how you can get started with an indoor concrete floor.

How Long Does Concrete Last?

One of the best qualities of concrete is its durability. If you’re looking for pavement that will last for a long time and look good too, concrete is the right choice.

It’s common for concrete to last for 30 years with only minimal repairs and maintenance. However, in the best circumstances, this pavement will last 40 or 50 years.

That means you may not have to worry about your driveway or patio for half a century. Few other flooring materials and pavements can boast the same longevity.

How Long Does Concrete Last

How Much Maintenance Is Needed?

Not only does concrete last a long time, it’s also incredibly low maintenance.

Most of the time, early damages to concrete occur because it wasn’t installed properly. If the foundation wasn’t compacted, air pockets could be trapped under the concrete.

Over time, these pockets cave in, causing the concrete to sag and crack. However, even when this happens, you don’t have to scrap your concrete and start over.

Instead, a professional and experienced team can salvage your concrete and bring it back to its former glory.

Other maintenance tasks include fixing cracks with crack filler, adding stain coats for extra protection or design and lifting sinking slabs. Each of these tasks can be done relatively easily and affordably.

Which Is More Cost-Effective, Concrete or Asphalt?

One of the questions we get most often when people are adding a paved driveway is, what’s better, asphalt or concrete?

We won’t lie, asphalt is a cheaper initial investment. However, what you don’t see is that asphalt has about half the life of concrete and much higher maintenance costs as well.

In the end, if you’re looking for the best deal for your money, concrete is the way to go.

Where Can You Use Concrete?

With concrete, you’re not limited to just driveways or roads. This pavement has a variety of uses, some of which include stairs, garage floors, indoor floors, patios and much more.

With staining, epoxy and seal coats, you can choose from dozens of designs. You can make your concrete look like stone or tile without having to pay the high price of those materials.

Unlike asphalt or other materials, concrete not only looks elegant and sophisticated, but it keeps its form as well. It’s the best option on the market right now.

Ready to update your pavement? Give us a call! At Packman’s Coatings, we have expertise in using concrete in a wide variety of projects. We’ll help bring your dream pavement to life.

3 Ways to Make Old Concrete Look New Again

Old concrete can cause a beautiful home to lose some of its curb appeal. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot of money replacing the concrete to make your space look good again.

Replacing concrete is not always the answer, especially when it has relatively minor damage. Take a look at our tips to help you transform your old, stained concrete into the pavement that looks like new!

3 Ways to Make Old Concrete Look New Again

1. Power Wash

Over time, your concrete will accumulate grime and dirt. This comes as a result of a lot of foot and car traffic. However, before you decide to trash your pavement and replace it with a simple dirt road, first try cleaning it.

You’d be surprised how well a strong pressure washer gets out stains. You can also find cleaning chemicals made specifically for concrete to help get out stains from tires, oil, and dirt.

2. Resurface

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to improve your curb appeal, resurfacing your concrete steps and driveway is a great way to start.

We start by deep cleaning your concrete. Then we make minor repairs, filling cracks and fixing crumbling edges.

Next is the finish, which can come in a variety of colors or even a unique design.

This allows you to change your concrete without having to redo it. As an added bonus, concrete that has been resurfaced will last longer and need less maintenance.

3. Add Stain or Sealing Coats

Concrete is one of the most durable pavement options. It’s also incredibly affordable as well. The main concern that people have with it is that it looks bland when compared to stone or brick.

However, what these people don’t know is that you can upgrade your concrete to get a unique look without having to pay the high price. Staining concrete gives the pavement a polished and glossy surface, which can be a nice change from the dirty old appearance it might have right now.

Revive Your Old Concrete

Get the most out of your old concrete pavement with these simple revival techniques. Call our team to find out how easy it is to transform your concrete and save money at the same time!