Need for preparation
Concrete surfaces transport moisture and air. Horizontal concrete surfaces such as pavements have higher contents of moisture. There is, therefore, need for adequate preparation and testing before painting such surfaces to maximize long-term durability of the paint. Unlike most surfaces, they are exposed to the destructive effects of nature hence the need for more time to attend to them. The more course and rough concrete surface is the more paint they suck. Painters are bound to use more paint than estimated in their budgets. Mark Dixon in his book House painting inside and out explains that the exterior concrete surfaces if left unpainted are vulnerable to the harsh and destructive elements of weather. As the cracks widen over time and different seasons, the hardest of surfaces are eventually conquered (Dixon, 109). The importance of painting exterior concrete surfaces cannot be over-emphasized.
For new surfaces or those that have never been painted before, etching is crucial. The result of etching is a less porous and less rough surface.
Cleaning the concrete
Cleaning surfaces is extremely vital because the most porous surface is, the more possibility of trapped dirt, and foreign matter such as oil and grease is available. Trisodium phosphate removes grease-like elements, for environmental-friendly cleaners, Krud Kutter is an excellent choice. In order to remove stubborn small roots, moss and dirt, a pressure washer is appropriate.
Etching residue such as released sand or lime from the concrete should not be ignored. The cleaning should therefore entail rinsing the surface until rubbing fingers over the dried surface will yield no chalky powder.
Strip old paint
Use a power washer to get rid of the old paint. For surfaces with several layers of paint, apply a coating peel-away with an applicator and trowel smoothing out the air bubbles. Use a scraper to lift the Peel-away. The peel-away loosens the old paint and eases the process of scraping it off thoroughly and effectively.
Seal interior concrete
Porous concrete is vulnerable to free movement of water. Sealing the interior walls is hence vital to prevent moisture from seeping into the walls. Moisture content supports and nourishes molds are creating a damp feeling in the room. Seven days are prescribed between applications of two coats.
Prime the concrete also called exterior-grade block primer, and it fills pores and evens out the concrete surface and dries in just two hours. The surface is then ready for painting.
Painting on concrete
For best results, experts recommend Masonry Paint. This paint has universally been accepted and is popularly known thanks for binders contained in the paint that contract and expand within the concrete. The adjustable stretching and dynamism of the paint clogs out air spaces hence resisting the elements of weather brought by changes in seasons.
Garage walls need glossy coating finishing making them more resistant to the penetration of moisture.
The figure below shows a beautifully done pavement with bright one color. Thorough cleaning was done before painting. The paint is, therefore, expected to last long.
Green house project
In the fight for environmental sustainability due to the dangers and consequences hinted at due to the continuous destruction of nature, the Green project is vital. According to Richard Maltzman and David Shirley in their book Green project management, the mission of the Green project is to develop a culture of creative reuse by establishing a marketplace for reclaimed materials and cultivating respect for their value. Established in 1994, the Green project's focus has grown from the interest to recover and recycle waste paint to used building material in 1996. in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina in New Oleans, a lot of building material were salvaged. Since then, the Green project has had massive impact on the modern wasteful society with teaching and encouraging mindful use of available resources. The culture of reusing materials goes a long way to stabilize and protect the environment of the people participating in the stewardship of their environment. What started as a neighborhood project in new Oleans are to swap and recycle paint has now become a global awareness initiative to preserve the environment by recycling material as much as possible. Educative projects was necessary to spread the idea wide to other areas and also globally.
The value of incorporating nature in our structures and civilization is beginning to be appreciated (Maltzman and Shirley, 56). What is more is that the green project business is the source of livelihood for many people. Grants, rebates and tax credits are some of the ways to earn money from the Green project.
Most home owners use plants in and out of the houses. Apart from the scientific and health benefits of plants, they are beautiful to look at and they help one relax with their natural scents.
Flowers, creeping plants and small shrubs are the most famous plants used. Indigenous trees that take many years to grow are rarely available yet most valued. During construction these indigenous old plants are not cut down. The figure below shows how plants have been neatly and beautifully incorporated to a home.
The figure shows how plants have been beautifully incorporated to a home.
Work Cited
Dixon, Mark, and Bob Heidt. House Painting Inside & Out. Newtown, CT: Taunton Press, 1997. Print.
Hoboken, N.J: RSMeans. Project Planning & Cost Estimating. Hoboken, 2011. Internet resource.
Hollaway, L, and M Leeming. Strengthening of Reinforced Concrete Structures: Using Externally-Bonded Frp Composites in Structural and Civil Engineering. Cambridge: Woodhead Pub, 1999. Internet resource.
Holman, Herbert P. Painting on the Farm. Washington, D.C: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1925. Print.
Santos, Brian. Painting Secrets from Brian Santos, the Wall Wizard. Des Moines, Iowa: Meredith Books, 2004. Print.
Shariff, Jamil. 50 Green Projects for the Evil Genius. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009. Internet resource.
Woodson, R D. Concrete Structures: Protection, Repair and Rehabilitation. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2009. Print.
