Top 4 D-I-Y Paint Floors Mistakes To Avoid!

Are your floors not looking up to the mark? Are your floors losing out on the shine and the appeal you installed them for in the first place? If yes, you certainly need to think about it. You certainly need to give your flooring a new life. Thinking as to what is the best way to do it? It is nothing but painting the floors again so as to bring back its lost beauty, shine, and appeal in no time! You have two options here. 

Either you call a top floor painting professional and get the job executed to perfection or you take up the paint brush yourself! Well, if you ask us, painting the floors needs time, patience, skills, and definitely, the tools and all these things are best available to the professionals. Still, if you look forward to a D-I-Y approach, we wish you all the best and warn you against the following mistakes which most of the owner commit! 

Do Not Commit These 4 D-I-Y Paint Floors WA Mistakes

1. Sealing the floor with PVA

PVA no doubt is good when it comes to priming a floor but it is not really the one needed for floor painting. An adhesion is blocked between floor paint and concrete when PVA is applied. This is good if one is looking to make the floor dust-proof but it should not be used as a paint primer. Depending on the condition of the floor, appropriate floor primer should be used. 

2. Thick means durability

Most of the owners think that a thick coat will ensure durability. However, this is not the case as a thin application is required in order to correctly apply the coat since it is an air-drying product. If you apply thickly, the peeling and curing might not be that effective since the paint layer is not too strong for it. 

3. One coat is enough to rejuvenate

When it comes to the number of coats, two coats are greatly recommended for one reason or the other. This is essential when painting a concrete floor as the first coat will simply penetrate and the absorption rate will vary as per the area of the room concerned. If a patchy finish is created, the wearing finish is hard to attain, greatly reducing the paint durability. 

4. Prior floor washing is more than enough

According to the Paint Floors WA professionals, if you want the best painting results, you have to prepare the base well and simply washing is not going to fetch you that. You need to wash it first and sweep off any debris or dust that might be present there and then wait for the floor to dry. Apart from this, you are required to fill any holes or cracks that might be there in order to have a smooth floor painting. 

Why is Regular Driveway Painting Perth Essential?

It hardly matters whether you are a residential or a commercial owner, you definitely want your premises to look as neat and clean as possible. Be it the interiors or the exteriors, not even a single owner is ready to compromise with the attractiveness and appeal of his/her place. The simple reason being it is directly proportional to the image of the owner and the place itself. Having said that, one thing that grabs maximum eyeballs as soon as someone enters a place is nothing but the driveway.  Yes, a driveway is probably the first thing that people witness when they enter a residential or a commercial space. It is important to maintain the driveway on a regular basis as not doing so results in the driveway becoming dirty and unattractive which is definitely not good as far the image is concerned. So, let us brief you with some of the top reasons to get your driveway painted regularly.

Top Reasons for Regular Driveway Painting Perth

• To Get Rid of Pollutants

This is probably the most important reason for getting your driveway cleaned and painted. A driveway is one of the most used surfaces in the house and office as a lot of people drive their vehicles through it and also get their foot across it consistently. This leaves a lot of dust, dirt, and other kinds of pollutants which accumulate there over the passing of time, eventually making the driveway look dirty. Regular driveway painting helps in removal of such pollutants, helping you maintain your driveway. 

• To Make the Driveway Shining & Appealing

Even if you regularly keep your driveway clean and tidy, it starts to lose its paint and shine over few months. So, in order to get its appeal and shine back in no time, it is important to get it painted by professionals. You also have the option of giving new colors and designs to your driveway to make it even more appealing.

• To Save Maintenance Cost

The cost of maintaining something regularly is way too less than the cost of getting the entire thing changed and fixed. This holds true for your driveway as well. If you get it cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, you do not have to worry about the cost of completely working on it from a scratch. Regular cleaning and painting help in improving its life greatly. 

• To Create the Best Impression

This is unsaid. After getting your driveway rid of all the pollutants, one thing for which people actually hire Driveway Painting Perth professionals is nothing but to create the best impression on the minds of the visitors. Surely, a neat and shining driveway creates a positive impression on the minds of the visitors.

Why Limestone can be a great option and how to make it durable

Limestone is a natural stone variant and is known for its texture and subtle tone palette. It is being chosen by modern interior designers as it fairly resembles Hardwood in appearance but gives better durability. Limestone tiles can be used for in-house flooring and for outside pavers as well. 

Let’s look at some brilliant reasons that make Limestone a great option for your home and how to keep it going for years without damage.

Reasons to Choose Limestone

 

1.    Hardwood resemblance 

 

As mentioned earlier, Limestone can act as a beautiful replacement for Hardwood as being a stone; it will last much longer than Hardwood. Some of its varieties have the same rustic appeal that Hardwood carries with itself. Limestone can also be cut into various shapes which give you the option to get the much renowned plank cut, fulfilling the Hardwood match for your bedroom flooring. 

2.    Wide Variety of Options 

 

Limestone is available in a unique textures, shades, cuts and patterns. Being a modern material, it lends an artistically classic look to the flooring. The color options are not vibrant, keeping that subtleness of design intact. You can choose from mild greys, browns and cream color options that will suit the interior rather well. Perth Limestone Sealing can also be given a glossy finish on its surface or you can settle for the elegant matte finish.

3.    Extra Hygiene Factor

 

Apart from being stylish and long lasting, Limestone comes with the hidden advantage of being allergen resistant as well. It doesn’t allow bacterial infection and pathogens to breed inside it which is a blessing in disguise for people suffering from respiratory issues. This also means that Limestone doesn’t need much of chemical cleaning agents regularly; dusting and mopping would be enough.

How to make Limestone Last Longer 

 

Once you have given the green flag to limestone as your flooring material, it’s time to take care of a few things to make it durable.

1.    Careful Installation

 

Special care has to be given while getting the tiles installed as if the floor is uneven, the tiles can start to wither up after a few years. Also that grout should be set in place nicely. Loose grout is the main reason of Perth Limestone Sealing getting awry.

2.    No Chemicals for Cleaning

 

Being a natural stone, Limestone can’t withstand hard chemicals. It has to be cleaned with non-abrasive cleaning products. Chemicals containing acid such as Bleach, Cif etc can actually erode the surface, rendering your limestone flooring an even worse look. 

3.    Using Sealants 

 

After a certain while, the thin spaces between tiles begin to open up which is a sign that the Limestone floor needs sealing. Perth Limestone Sealing guides indicate that if these cracks are not filled up in time, they can damage the floor beyond repair. Hence, timely sealing is required to keep the flooring intact.

CLEAR ALL YOUR DOUBTS THROUGH THESE FAQ’S ABOUT CONCRETE SEALING!

People work hard day and night in order to have a good lifestyle and a good home. When it comes to home, people are never satisfied as they want to beautify it more and more. The best way to make a house look appealing is through attractive flooring and one of the most preferred ways of achieving this is through the concrete flooring. However, when it comes to concrete sealing, a lot of people get confused as they do not have enough knowledge for the same. So, let us clear all your confusions by answering these frequently asked questions about concrete sealing.

FAQ’s About Concrete Sealing Perth

FAQ 1: What are the benefits of concrete sealing?

When it comes to benefits, concrete sealing comes with quite a lot. It not only helps in extending the life of your walkway/driveway but increases the attractiveness of the concrete too. It reduces the moisture absorption in the concrete and protects it from harmful exposures like oil stains, chemicals, grease stains and more. In a nutshell, nothing harmful is able to go inside the concrete pores after sealing.

FAQ 2: What are the cons of not sealing concrete?

As we all know that the concrete surface comprises of tiny pores which have the ability to grasp liquids of any kind. If these liquids expand in there, it leads to the cracking of concrete which is definitely not what you want. Moreover, the moisture that gets frozen inside leads to the building of mold and mildew. The chemicals, salt, fertilizers, oil can really damage the coloring of the concrete flooring.

FAQ 3: What are the options available for sealing?

There are two options available for Concrete Sealing Perth: - penetrants and film formers. If you are looking to get your flooring moisture secured, freeze-melt protected along with a matte finish, penetrating sealers are the best option for you. The film forming sealers come in solvent and water based categories like epoxy, acrylic, polyurethane, each having dissimilar effects and properties.

FAQ 4: Is it important to repair cracks prior to sealing?

Yes, it is imperative to repair the cracks before sealing, no matter what the size of the crack is. A nice and stable foundation is required in order to begin the sealing process. If you are doing it yourself, make sure the cracks are repaired and also, the surface is clean and free from any unwanted pollutant.

FAQ 5: How long will the sealing last?

If you are going for penetrating sealers, you can relax for the next 10 years or so. The reason behind this is because the sealer penetrates the surface and will only flame away when the concrete does so. When it comes to urethane and epoxy sealers, the life comes to around 5-10 years. If you still have any doubts regarding Concrete Sealing Perth, it is advised to take professional help for the same.

Top 4 Tips to Choose the Right Decorative Concrete Sealer for Your Outdoor Application

Applying a decorative concrete sealer for your outdoor project is always an excellent idea. Benefits of concrete sealing are numerous. It’s important to follow the instructions from the experts of the sealer and choose the best concrete sealing Perth for your project.

 If you are thinking about decorative concrete sealer, you have a number of choices to choose from. When it comes to decorative concrete sealer, there is no one size fits all. There are three main types of decorative sealer to choose from for your outdoor decorative project. These sealers are acrylics, polyurethanes and penetrating, and offer a natural and beautiful look. Since epoxy sealers are not UV stable, avoid them on exterior concrete. Following are some factor to consider when choosing the right sealer for your outdoor application:

 Top 4 tips for choosing the best decorative concrete

Choose appropriate sheen level

An appropriate sheen level is a right choice to provide a glossy, natural and beautiful look to your outdoor project. When you pair your expectation with a high sheen product, you find the best results. Those people who want a natural look that merge in the environment, choosing a perfect sheen level can provide the solution.

Think about your application

Are you planning to decorate your outdoor concrete sealing, think about your application? How will you be using it? Since you are searching decorative concrete sealer, the right concrete sealer for you will be those that are long lasting and truly waterproof. When it comes to decorative concrete sealing Perth, acrylics, polyurethanes and penetrating will be the best choice.

Is your concrete sealer toxic or not

Another enormously important factor that you need to consider is whether the decorative sealer is toxic or not. If you are planning to use this in a pond, which will likely have fish and plants in it, you have no other choice but to go for nontoxic. Otherwise, it will kill the plants and fish that you put into. Always choose a sealer that has volatile organic compounds in it, typically solvents that are listed on the packaging.

Color

The right color is one of the most important things to consider when choosing decorative concrete sealer. Choose a color that brings the best out of your application. The solvent based sealer may be the right choice because it enhances colors, making them pop and add mottling. If your surface is smooth and you find a good color, it is recommended to choose a water-based product.  When you applied that system, the water based sealer will match with the original color you had.

The Best Ways of Cleaning and Sealing Brick Pavers

With so many shapes, sizes and colors, it’s not surprising people love pavers. When it comes to brick pavers, people love them even more. It’s one of the most attractive and unique materials for hardscaping and landscaping design. They are used for patios, walkways, driveways, pool decks etc. Brick paving is very popular with both DIY homeowner and landscaping contractors, combining an easy installation with a bold landscaping statement.

Brick paving is the long-lasting solutions for all your paving needs. With proper care, repair and maintenance, brick pavers will provide a long service life. Here are some tips on cleaning and sealing paving in Perth which helps to enhance their look.

Paving cleaning Perth keeps them clean and beautiful

Before cleaning pavers, you will need to know following things:

Materials

•    A deck broom/brush

•    Power/pressure washer

•    Rotary surface cleaner

Solutions

•    Techniseal’s Tar & Tire, Oil, or Organic solutions

•    Techniseal Sealant

Cleaning brick pavers is easier than you many think. It heavily depends on the equipment, material and dedication to maintain. Caring of brick pavers starts with good cleaning habits. Dirt and spills are the biggest reason for the fading of beautiful brick paving. Daily sweeping of dirt and debris from walkways as grit will slowly deteriorate brick over a number of years. You can use different type of solution to clean pavers. Don’t go with muriatic acid solutions as they can damage your pavers. So stick to the solutions specifically made for pavers.

Periodic power washing is yet another way to return your old brick pavers back to their original shine and beauty. A paving cleaning Perth professionals can utilize a commercial power washer with cleaning solution to achieve a deep cleaning without using excessive pressure. 

Not all the cleaning methods are good for brick pavers. Sandblasters generally use to make bricks shiny and beautiful but it can harm the surface of fired bricks. So avoid using sandblasters. Also avoid the muriatic acid as this cleaner many permanently discolor brick and ruining the overall look of the landscape design.

Paving sealing Perth for long term Care

For preventing weed growth and maintaining a clean surface, it become important to apply a layer of sealant to brick paving. It’s even more important after a thorough cleaning and many landscape contractors are in the favor of providing comprehensive sealing shortly after paving cleaning Perth.

Make sure the brick pavers are clean of paints, sealer, stains and any other materials that would prevent proper penetration of sealer. It’s recommended to apply two coats for the best results. You can apply the material with a roller or sprayer. Which method is best depends entirely on the product being used. So always follow the manufacture instructions.

By hiring a professionals paving sealing Perth, you can sure the right products are used and the final application is an even coating. Brick paving sealing strengthens, rejuvenates, protects and enhances the beauty of brick pavers, so you should invest in a brick paving cleaning and sealing every two years. 

Why Is Limestone Sealing Important For Floors And Countertops?

Many of the older buildings in Perth have limestone flooring. The reason is its durability. The hardness of this sedimentary rock varies and it is also pretty smooth. The color tone of limestone is neutral. Moreover, it is not too shiny. Therefore, it has remained a popular flooring option for centuries. However, just like marble, limestone is also very reactive to acids. Limestone might be a wrong choice for exterior flooring. Acid rain can cause stains on the floor. Therefore, either avoid limestone or protect it from acids using limestone sealing in Perth. When it comes to interior flooring, do not use acid-based cleaning agents especially if the floor is not sealed. Even when the limestone floor is sealed, use only neutral cleaning solutions for cleaning the limestone floor.

Limestone is porous in nature. Therefore, limestone sealing using penetrating sealers provides the best protection from soiling and staining. Here are some maintenance tips for limestone floors that are not sealed:

• Minimize the damage by cleaning spills immediately.  
• Do not place cookware and hot dishes on the floor.
• Silver, ceramics and other objects can cause scratches on the floor. Therefore, do not place these objects on the limestone floor.
• Protect the floor from citrus juices and alcohol.
• Clean the floor regularly using pH neutral cleaners.
• Dust mop the floor regularly.
• Avoid using bleach, vinegar or any other general-purpose cleaner.
• Avoid abrasive and alkaline cleaners.

Sealing limestone floor is the best thing you can do to protect the floor from almost all damages.

Limestone for Countertops 

Limestone is also used for making countertops. These look great in kitchens and stores. However, without limestone sealing, it can be a bad choice. It is because of the porous nature of the limestone. Therefore, do not let juices, water, acids or any other liquid to stand there on the countertop. Liquids, especially acids etch the surface of the limestone and stain it. If you are not cleaning it immediately, the stain will remain there for good. Beverage glasses can leave rings on the surface. Therefore, do not place anything directly on the countertop. Always use a mat on the countertop.

Whether you are using limestone for flooring or countertop, you should either use limestone sealing or lay out a mat on the surface. Otherwise, it will remain prone to stains. Therefore, you should hire a company providing the best limestone sealing in Perth. 

Factors That Can Affect the Performance of the Concrete Floor

Concrete is a highly dependable solution for flooring. There are several other materials that are popular for flooring. However, there is no match for durability, workability and versatility of the concrete. There are numerous design options. It is hardly affected by the environment. If you have visited a manufacturing plant in which chemicals are used, you will notice that the floor is made from concrete.

The performance and appearance of the concrete floor greatly depend on concrete mix, installation and the way it is cured.  If the mixture, installation and curing are not up to par, the concrete floor will lack strength, stability and durability.

Concrete is a mixture that consists of a binder, aggregate and water. A mixture of cement and water is called cement paste, a mixture of cement paste and sand in called mortar, and a mixture of mortar and aggregate in called concrete.

Following Are the Factors Affecting Concrete

Strength, hardness and quality of the concrete floor or any other concrete surface depend on following factors:

Binder

The most commonly used binder is cement. Pozzolans can also be a substitute for cement. Pozzolans undergo primary and secondary hydrations to produce a gel. This gel can fill voids between cement particles. Apart from making concrete less porous, it also reduces the absorption of moisture and chemicals that can damage the floor.

 Aggregates  

Weight, strength, size, texture, reactive properties of the aggregates and the ability to absorb vary. This variation also has effects on the properties of the concrete.       

Water

The amount of water used in the mixture also affects concrete. If you look at the water-cement ratio, 25% water is required for hydration. However, the amount of water is increased up to 45% for improving workmanship. If you increase the quantity of water, concrete becomes more porous as water evaporates leaving behind capillary voids.     

Mix Design

Materials, proportion of materials, order in which materials are mixed, method of mixing and length of time also affect the quality of concrete. Any mistake can lead to early-age cracks, chips and other problems.

Environment

Conditions in which you are mixing, placing, finishing and curing concrete also affect the performance and appearance of the concrete surface. These conditions include wind speed, cloud cover, temperature and the surface on which you are installing the concrete floor.

After the floor is installed, you should hire professional services for concrete coating in Perth. The concrete coating protects the concrete floor from the external factors that can take a toll on its performance and appearance. In the next blog, we will explain the effects of workmanship on the quality of the concrete floor and common concrete floor defects.     

7 PAVING JARGON AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

There are so many styles of paving you can choose from; that some of the jargon can make it difficult to figure out what is right for you. Riven, Calibrated, Rumbled etc are the types of paving but you need to know what will suit best as per your needs. Whether you are looking paving cleaning in Perth or buying new paving slabs, we are sharing the complete guide to help you understand exactly what you need to look out for:

1.    Project pack: Most of the paving products include a number of different sized slabs. Each size of the slabs is designed to be placed side by side to create a natural, neat effect. A project pack includes a correct number of different sized slabs to cover the advertised area. Whatever your need, you can select too many small or large slabs to cover the area. This makes your task easy and you finish it on time. 

2.    Riven paving: It’s a kind of paving when it has a textured and rustic look. Individual natural riven paving often comes in varying thickness which needs extra bedding or underlay depending on the type of use and requires careful lying to ensure correct alignment of the paving e.g. patio or driveway. It will good if your purchase riven paving which mimics the look of textured natural stone.

3.    Calibrated paving: In calibrated paving, all the slabs are of a uniform thickness. It’s often more expensive than non-calibrated paving, but it’s so much quicker and easier to lay that you often recover these costs.

4.    Rumbled paving: It’s a kind of paving which is very similar to cobbles. They’re often small square or rectangular stones laid close together. If you are planning it for driveways and paths, it can be a great choice.

5.    Manufactured paving: It’s the kind of paving which is not made from natural stone. These paving slabs are moulded to an extract specification. Manufacture paving has a smooth finish, with all the paving slabs being the same size and depth, so choose these paving can be a great advantage.  You can get variety in design and style, this type of paving usually cheaper than the natural alternatives.

6.    Natural paving: Natural paving is made of natural stone and looks absolutely stunning. But it’s important to notice that you will not get the same amount of uniformity in the slabs as you would from manufactured paving. But it’s not the great choice if you want to create your patio smooth and flat. If you’re after paving with some texture and character, natural paving could be a great choice.

7.    Coping: A coping is a slab that you lay on top of a wall to give it a neat, finished look.