Tuesday, August 20, 2013

How to Remove and Prevent Mold on Patio Concrete and Bricks

Molds are very unpleasant. They multiply easily and quickly invading and ruining your patio design. They can even creep into your outdoor furniture and fixtures inflicting some damage. So removing them as soon as possible becomes important. But do you find it hard to remove mold on patio concrete and bricks? Do feel frustrated seeing that only a few have removed after all your efforts? Well, removing nasty mold on concrete and bricks is easy if you know how.

Fighting mold is struggling against a resilient enemy. To defeat them, you just need to know them very well.

It is a common knowledge that mold grow on humid and moist areas. Now, here is what make them more resilient. Dirt and dust can easily caught on the porous concrete and bricks. They will eventually build up between the grooves and brick lining. The trapped dirt hold moisture making a great recipe for mold to grow, but that does not end there. The absorptive characteristic of concrete and bricks maintains a moist area for molds to thrive even after cleaning.

What makes it so hard to remove? Because concrete and bricks are naturally porous, mold grow deep within the material. Or, perhaps the chemical solution used is not of the right amount and proportion and maybe you did not do it right. There are  great ways, like the following, to make removal easy.

Removal
Mold removal can be so much better if you use a pressure washer.

The first solution is commonly available in every household, chlorine bleach. Mix the bleach with water and apply it with spay to the affected area. Let it set for a few minutes giving it time to react with the mold but do not let it dry. Rinse thoroughly and see the result. If you noticed it did not remov the mold completely, don’t worry, we will take another step.

The next solution is muriatic acid. This is a very effective cleaning solution but dangerous. Extreme precaution must be applied before using this one. Be sure to wear safety gears such as thick rubber gloves, safety glasses, boots or shoes, and a respirator. Wear used clothing but make it sure that you use long sleeve shirt and pants to cover all your skin.

Before making the mixture, be sure to have a plenty of water and have a running water hose on your side. It will be used to dilute the acid and wash off when some will come in contact with your skin and some unwanted spills.

Important! Keep children away from the working area. After using, dispose the empty bottles properly or rinse it a few times to be very safe. If you keep muriatic acid at home, store it safely away from the reach of children.

Using a plastic bucket, mix 1 part acid to 3 parts water. Wet the area and apply the solution using a cleaning brush. Brush as you go to let the mixture set in the surface thoroughly. Let the acid to react with the mold for about ten minutes and then rinse it thoroughly.

Lastly, if you don’t want to go through these task, then it is best to hire a professional to do the job. Look specifically for mold removal and remediation expert.


Prevention
We know that the mold problem is caused by dampness. An area that is humid and retaining moisture is most likely to get mold even after cleaning thoroughly. Its is wise to take actions to prevent them from coming back.

Killing mold spores is not applicable in a patio. What we need to do is protecting the concrete and bricks and minimizing the moisture retention.

Consider sealing the brick and concrete. Sealing does two in one, giving a good appearance and protection.

Making your patio dry in a day is also helpful. It minimizes the chance of mold growth. It can easily be done by using the sunlight. Identify areas that are blocked by sunlight all day long. If possible, clear the shades that block the sunlight to let much of the patio space receive a full sunlight even for few hours.

Try to rearrange patio furniture and take rugs and carpets off sometimes to expose your patio paver to sunlight. If you are using a patio umbrella, you may close it sometimes when not in use to let the sunshine in.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

How To Make Your Patio Concrete Look New

An old patio concrete looks dull, pretty boring, and maybe untidy. Sometimes, we do not notice it especially if your patio has a lot of patio furniture and fixtures around. It can also be concealed with by a large carpet you put on the floor. But in reality, it makes your patio space a lot less interesting.

If you are worried about it and want a change, then, there are foolproof solutions.

What about pressure washing? Yes, it will work, but not enough. If you have tried it and found not satisfying, then it’s time to consider the solutions that guarantee great outcome.

Concrete Staining
Concrete staining is an inexpensive way to change an old patio making it new once again. It is basically similar to painting that effective change the color and appearance of your patio concrete. However, the procedure, materials, and coating solutions are entirely different.

Concrete stains available in the market today come in many colors. With the right combination, the colors can simulate many types of finishes for the concrete such as stone and even wood colors.

There are many effects that can possibly achieved with concrete staining. At the very basic, you can make the whole patio concrete a huge slab of marble. But with the wild imagination, an entirely different appearance can be created. You can make grooves or cut on the concrete to make it look like a tiled floor. Stain each block with different colors to mimic a checkerboard. You can also make geometric shapes and stain each piece to create a structured or abstract design. You can find many concrete patio design ideas to start in the internet.

Concrete Resurfacing
Resurfacing a patio concrete is a very different approach. This type of transformation is more expensive, but it yields great and solid result. It adds a new layer of concrete, thus, giving the concrete a new look and feel.

Also, resurfacing is the only best solution if you want to change or improve the surface texture of your patio concrete. But please note that it does not fix damages even for small cracks. They are especially made for surface improvement only. You have to repair the damages first with additional cement or with concrete sealant.

Concrete resurfacers has the same color of newly poured concrete, gray. But you can add colorants to make a different concrete surface. With different colors, you can also simulate different flooring effects like tiled and stone finish.

Either of these solutions, you can give a new look for your patio. Making a new patio concrete finish is very helpful to recreate the mood of your patio. With so many finishes achievable, you can easily make a new look that matches with your existing set of patio furniture and fixtures such as metallic, teak, or wicker patio furniture sets.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Patio Paver Materials and Their Advantages

Laying patio pavers can be really easy or very difficult depending on the type of materials, let alone skills. There are a number of different types of materials to choose from in which each of them has different ways to build. The easy way can be just laying the materials down on the ground similar to assembling a jigsaw puzzle, and the harder way would require some masonry skills.

There are factors to consider when choosing the right paver material. First, it should mix and match with your house because a patio is an extension to your home and it should not look odd. Then you can choose the right surface texture and color.

We would love to consider the cost, cheaper is better, but it can affect the quality and durability. It would only add very little value to your property.

Here is a list of patio paver materials:

Concrete
Concrete is slightly cheaper and is a good start in building a patio. At the very basic, it can give you a solid and plain base for your patio furniture and fixtures.  However, its versatility made it famous. It can be made into different finishes and textures that you can imagine. Possible textures can be done in many ways such as brushed, acid washed, and stamped. Effects like brick, flagstone, and other stone and decorative patterns can be achieved with stamping.

Tile
Tiles come in many types, textures, and colors. Texture ranges from a very smooth surface to rough stone-like features. With the right type, you can also simulate different effects such as bricks and stones.

This type must be the choice if you want a smooth and fine finished patio.

Brick
Brick pavers are classic and has been the popular choice for a long time. A creative mind can get the most out it because bricks of different shapes and colors can create endless design possibilities.

Bricks can help create a cozy ambiance through the classic and traditional appearance. They are also great for creating a garden patio.

Stones
For nature lovers, stones are great for simulating or emphasizing a nature inspired patio landscape. There is a wide array of stone types with different textures, shapes, sizes, and even colors to help create a unique patio environment.

Stones like limestone, sandstone, slate, and granite are most widely used. You are lucky if you are located near quarries because they are cheaper there, otherwise, they are costly. However, a well designed patio created with these stones adds a significant value to your property.

Anyway, you can combine some of these materials to create your patio. A combination of several types might even yield greater results. Imagine sitting on a lounge chair under a lovely patio umbrella in your fine tiled patio with stone pebbled borders. Or relaxing under a tiki umbrella in your tropical-themed stone patio. There lots of design ideas around. You can find more of them in the internet.