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HOW TO ELIMINATE TWO OF THE TOUGHEST CONCRETE STAINS ON EARTH

  • By Southport Concrete Corp.
  • •
  • 20 Jul, 2018
  • •
Though concrete is incredibly strong and resilient, untreated concrete can be stained in some circumstances. This is primarily due to the internal crystalline structure of concrete at the microscopic level.

Concrete consists of tiny cement particles locked together with sand and other crushed materials. In between these particles lie tiny air gaps that can be filled with just about any liquid that comes their way. That includes water, paint, oil, and other fluids dropped on the surface of unsealed concrete.

As a consequence, you can’t merely wipe concrete stains away. Instead, you have to treat the stains with the right methods, chemicals, and tools.

Below is a brief guide to removing two common but tough stains that affect concrete.
Rust Stains

Rust stains are common on older concrete and can occur on untreated concrete if ferrous metals, such as iron and steel, are permitted to rest on the concrete. With older concrete, rust stains indicate that the rebar (reinforcing steel rods) is corroding and that internal moisture is pushing rust toward the surface.

To remove rust stains, begin by sweeping up loose bits of rust that might be on top of the concrete. If any stubborn debris remains stuck to the concrete, you can douse it with a solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and hot water and then brush the area with a plastic brush. Avoid using a wire brush, since the wire can scar the concrete. Rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water before moving to the next step.

After preparing the surface, pour pure white vinegar on top of the rust stain and allow it to saturate the stain and concrete. Be sure to add enough vinegar to cover the area completely. Let the vinegar soak into the stained area for about half an hour; if you are working outside on a hot day, you may need to apply more vinegar to make up for what evaporates.

Once you’ve soaked the stain, use a stiff-bristled plastic brush to vigorously scrub the stained area. Apply fresh vinegar periodically if you have difficulty telling whether the stain has been removed.

After you are satisfied the stain has disappeared, rinse the site with copious amounts of clean water.
Mold and Algae Stains

Microorganisms can cause another kind of tough concrete stain. Mold and algae can both grow on concrete that is warm and often kept moist. These tiny single-celled animals produce byproducts that leave a familiar black, blue, or dark green stain on your concrete.

If your concrete is under siege by mold or algae, then you will need to kill the microorganisms before tackling the stain. Fortunately, both mold and algae can be killed by ordinary laundry bleach.

Begin by removing surface-level debris, such as dirt or sand, with a broom or a garden hose spray nozzle. If you use a garden hose, allow the water to evaporate before applying the bleach; this will prevent dilution of the bleach.
Once all the debris has been cleaned from the concrete, pour bleach straight from the bottle onto the stained area. Be careful when pouring bleach not to splash it onto yourself or nearby plants or objects.

Allow the bleach to soak into the mold or algae stain for about fifteen minutes, and then rinse the bleach away from the concrete with a garden hose. You may need to scrub with a stiff-bristled plastic brush or use a power washer to eliminate any residue.

If you aren't satisfied with your concrete after cleaning, or if you feel your concrete just can't be cleaned any further, then it may be time to think about replacing the concrete. In that case, contact a qualified concrete company to help you plan and install a new driveway, sidewalk, slab, patio, or whatever other feature you desire.

WHY YOU SHOULD USE CONCRETE PILINGS FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT

By Southport Concrete Corp. • 20 Jul, 2018
When completing any construction project that involves a foundation, the use of concrete pilings is essential. These columns that have been pre-cast and cured before installation provide needed support and reinforcement to the foundations used by your home or business. They have many qualities that make them beneficial to a variety of projects:

  • Cost effective: When anything is manufactured on a massive scale, your costs decrease substantially from having something custom poured.
  • Superior quality: Being pre-cast, pilings are checked for every sort of defect before being installed, giving them an additional safety advantage.
  • Underwater usage: There are several instances in which the pouring of concrete in certain types of subsoil or other environments won’t set. The use of formed piles easily takes care of that issue.
  • Convenience: With a wide selection of piles all ready to go, you are able to select what you need and install them at your convenience.
  • Adaptability: Trying to pour the exact shape you need is a thing of the past with concrete pilings available in square, round, octagonal and other shapes.
  • Incredible strength: Because of the nature of the piles, the reinforcement used inside is more likely to stay put without getting disturbed or moving its place. They also have high bending and lateral resistance to hold their strength in adverse conditions.
  • Eco friendly: With no leftover materials to clean up at the installation site, piles are the most environmentally friendly option when supporting your foundation and in other applications, such as retaining walls, embankments and cofferdams.

THE BENEFITS OF INSTALLING A SEAWALL FOR YOUR HOME

By Southport Concrete Corp. • 20 Jul, 2018
Southport Concrete Corp is a leading builder of seawalls  in the Southport area. A seawall is a barrier that prevents waves from inundating property and land. These concrete walls are ideal for areas that are susceptible to hurricanes and frequent flooding. During storms, the sea level, as well as lake and river levels, can rise dangerously high and threaten communities and natural areas. The wall stops the water in its tracks and keeps communities from sustaining millions of dollars' worth of damages. Despite their name, our walls can be built near any large body of water, and our company can construct the following types:

  • Curved
  • Vertical
  • Mound

WHY YOU SHOULD USE READY-MIX CONCRETE

By Southport Concrete Corp. • 20 Jul, 2018
You have a lot of options when it comes to building materials in Southport, but there are some that are more high-quality than others. At Southport Concrete Corp., we offer ready-mix concrete. As a product that is made in a factory, it offers the highest quality possible, as it is regulated under specific conditions. Being carefully monitored while it is mixed, it allows maximum economy at every turn. It is a convenience for contractors because it can be delivered to most jobsites. If a truck can get there, the ready mix can get there. It can also be poured directly from the truck into handling equipment or formwork, minimizing loss and mistakes.

READY-MIX CONCRETE SOLUTIONS IN AND AROUND SOUTHPORT

By Southport Concrete Corp. • 20 Jul, 2018

Although the terms cement and concrete are often used interchangeably, cement is actually an ingredient in concrete.

Concrete is basically a mixture of paste and aggregates. The aggregates are crushed stone or sand and gravel; the paste is made of water and Portland cement. Concrete material happens to get stronger as it gets older. Portland cement is not the name of a particular brand of cement; it’s the generic term for the type of cement utilized in almost all concrete (ex: stainless is a type of steel and sterling is a type of silver).

Pervious concrete, also known as "green concrete," is a choice that helps combat building code issues with storm water run-off.

Cement is composed of 10 to 15 percent of the concrete mix, by volume. Then through a process called hydration, the cement and water harden and bring together the aggregates into a rocklike form. This developing and hardening process continues for years, again meaning that concrete gets stronger as it gets older.

REASONS TO CHOOSE CONCRETE ​SEPTIC TANKS

By Southport Concrete Corp. • 20 Jul, 2018
There are many residences that need to use a septic tank. If you find yourself in such an area, consider what Southport Concrete Corp. can do for you. We can cast septic systems  for you, and we have been operating in Southport for almost 20 years. We can inspect your location to design a septic system that is perfect for your expected needs, bringing you long-term plumbing solutions.

HOW TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN A CONCRETE DRIVEWAY SO IT LASTS FOR A LIFETIME

By Southport Concrete Corp. • 20 Jul, 2018
Concrete driveways are durable and attractive, and they provide a solid, reliable parking surface for vehicles. However, maximizing the lifespan and appearance of your concrete driveway depends upon making the right choices both before the concrete is poured and for many years after that, too.

Below, we’ve listed some important things to keep in mind in order to prevent premature concrete driveway failure.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CONTRACTION JOINTS IN CONCRETE AND WHY THEY MATTER

By Southport Concrete Corp. • 20 Jul, 2018
Concrete is an ideal construction material for countless numbers of applications due to the substance’s strength, reasonable cost, and ease of installation. Paving surfaces is one of the many uses for this flexible medium. However, concrete is prone to crack, and it is normal for even the best-laid concrete surface to develop hairline crevices.

While these tiny cracks are often insignificant, they are unsightly and detract from the overall appearance of the paved surface. You can preventing these cracks by installing contraction joints; below is more information about these important features and their installation.

CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS: ARE THEY THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOUR KITCHEN?

By Southport Concrete Corp. • 20 Jul, 2018
If you're hoping to replace your tired old countertops with something more modern and durable, you've likely considered popular options like quartz, granite, marble, or solid surface. However, many homeowners do not realize that concrete makes an excellent countertop and has plenty of advantages.

Just like any other countertop surface, there are specific advantages that concrete offers. How do you know if concrete is the right choice for your new or remodeled kitchen?

PRECAST CONCRETE VERSUS READY-MIX: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

By Southport Concrete Corp. • 20 Jul, 2018
Concrete is one of the most versatile construction materials currently available. You'll find concrete used for everything from seawalls to countertops.

But not all concrete is exactly the same. When you choose concrete for a building project, you may have several options for the mixture contents and the laying process.

In this blog, we compare two common laying processes: precast concrete and onsite ready-mix pouring.

HOW TO STAIN YOUR CONCRETE PATIO

By Southport Concrete Corp. • 20 Jul, 2018
You can beautify your concrete patio and radically transform its appearance by applying stain. Stain gives a rich, almost three-dimensional look to the patio and sets it apart from everyone else's ho-hum gray slab.
Below is a list of tools and materials needed as well as information on how to prepare the concrete, apply the stain, and then seal the finished surface.
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