Concrete Treatment for Lanai

[ChiefGator]

I am moving into a new house with a lanai / porch which used to have some kind of carpet directly on concrete. The carpet got disgusting and was pulled out. I was considering different things to put on the concrete, like tile or something. I expect it will get some rain, since three walls are mostly covered in screens.

I am wondering if anyone has any ideas for treatments directly on the concrete. Currently I am considering acid-wash, but know nothing about it, and also finishing it like you often see in garages.

Any recommendations or other ideas from the great Chiefsplanet minds?

[Buehler445]

There are lots of different types of sealants like for garages. The stuff we got was epoxy and were pretty happy with it. Takes some effort to get it down, but it's certainly sealed the concrete. And it sweeps a billion (or so) times better.

But it's hard. It cures out harder than concrete.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Q

[ChiefGator]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

There are lots of different types of sealants like for garages. The stuff we got was epoxy and were pretty happy with it. Takes some effort to get it down, but it's certainly sealed the concrete. And it sweeps a billion (or so) times better.

But it's hard. It cures out harder than concrete.

Hard's not bad... I assume that ends up being pretty waterproof as well?

Anyone ever done acid-wash thingie which is all the rage now on a concrete floor?

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by ChiefGator

Hard's not bad... I assume that ends up being pretty waterproof as well?

Anyone ever done acid-wash thingie which is all the rage now on a concrete floor?

Well concrete is pretty damn waterproof. If you're thinking it will handle rain. As long as the concrete is clean when you apply.

Originally Posted by Buehler445

Well concrete is pretty damn waterproof. If you're thinking it will handle rain. As long as the concrete is clean when you apply.

Raw concrete is not waterproof. It has to be sealed. Which is why you have to acid-etch concrete before applying an epoxy or finish over the top. Cleaning the concrete won't do it alone. You have to etch it as well - especially with all that carpet adhesive on the thing. Call a concrete specialty company to get your job done right. The average homeowner is capable of completing a DIY project on this level and it will look pretty good for a couple years but if you really want something to look good for a decade or more, call in some expertise.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Raw concrete is not waterproof. It has to be sealed. Which is why you have to acid-etch concrete before applying an epoxy or finish over the top. Cleaning the concrete won't do it alone. You have to etch it as well - especially with all that carpet adhesive on the thing. Call a concrete specialty company to get your job done right. The average homeowner is capable of completing a DIY project on this level and it will look pretty good for a couple years but if you really want something to look good for a decade or more, call in some expertise.

Yeah. We ran the acid on there After we washed the hell out of the thing, but I think it came in the kit.

Phil's right though. The carpet adhesive won't allow the epoxy to seal to the concrete.

And to be fair, even though we did it, if I were doing it to my house I'd have it done professionally.

I wouldn't depend on etching to solve adhesive. I'd use a mechanical stripper (ie: grinding wheel) to remove that issue and you should expect that to cost. Those diamond wheels aren't cheap.

[Groves]

Dude. Are you living at my house?

[ChiefGator]

Interesting.. thanks for the help. Going to take a good look at the concrete again this afternoon. The grinding wheel wouldn't be all bad, since I think the concrete could use smoothing anyway. Gonna put up a lot of dust though, I'm sure.