BLOG
Do's and Don'ts When Hiring a Concrete Staining Company
What are San Antonio concrete staining companies?
Decorative concrete staining companies are a group of contractors that specialize in transforming the look of concrete surfaces. This process does not require you to remove or change any part of your current concrete structure; it only involves applying stains and sealers on top. The results can be beautiful and long-lasting, depending on what type of materials you choose for your project’s needs.
These residential and commercial professionals can work with all types of concrete, including driveways and walkways. This means that they can deliver what you need on almost any surface in your home or business.
Do not think this is a one-person job because it usually takes the skills of qualified contractors to create beautiful stained concrete floors, patios, sidewalks, and other areas around your property. While some tasks may be simple enough for a person (such as pressure washing), others require more than one set of hands (like coloring).
The stained concrete professionals who do these jobs are skilled craftsmen who know how to apply their materials correctly. Every part looks impressive when finished.
What is concrete staining?
Concrete staining is a process that involves coloring or transforming the appearance of bare residential and commercial concrete surfaces. Some of its most common uses include enhancing the look and durability of existing concrete floors, driveways, sidewalks, patios, pool decks, garage floors, and even barbeque grills.
Stained concrete is often chosen over painting because it does not damage the surface and can be easily removed if you want to change your color scheme. As a do-it-yourself project, staining is relatively inexpensive, costing as little as $20 per gallon for commercial grade products. This low cost combined with simple application makes this a trendy choice among homeowners looking to spruce up their space on a budget.
But before choosing which concrete staining product best suits your needs, there are several essential things that you need to know regarding how stains function and last, what type of stain would work well for your specific project at hand, as well as some other must-dos and don’ts when hiring professional contractors to do the job for you.
What are the advantages of using the most qualified contractors?
There is no need to be concerned about adequately applying stains, what type of stain would work best for your project, or how many coats you will need because that’s all part of hiring a San Antonio TX pro. You can also rest assured that if there is an issue with their application process, it will be taken care of immediately and without questions. Everything about the staining project will be prepared appropriately.
When looking for a flooring contractor, always ensure they have experience in decorative concrete applications. Hence, you know their finished product will live up to your highest standards on every level from appearance down to durability and strength over time which could save you thousands by avoiding costly repairs, not long installation has been completed.
Many different contractors offer this service, so ask around and do your research to find one with an excellent reputation, with the best concrete staining options, and a long list of satisfied customers.
Professional concrete staining contractors are licensed and insured. They will provide you with a written contract and warranty to protect your investment. Pro contractors will also advise you on the best concrete stain that will work on your particular surface.
A San Antonio professional stained concrete company will also ensure that your concrete is properly cleaned before the application process begins, so you don’t have to worry about any contaminants coming in contact with your new stain and ruining it right after installation, which would be more of a hassle than anything else!
You should always find out if they are willing to provide references or testimonials from past flooring projects and their list of services offered. Different companies might specialize in only one aspect, such as design consultation, power trowling, precast polishing, or color hardener applications.
If there happens not to be anyone who specializes in what you need, then ask them for names of other contractors who do offer whatever service isn’t available at this business which can be very helpful!
You should also request to see photos of their work for your project. Keep in mind that you might need someone who specializes in concrete staining near me because they will likely be coming from out of town.
What are the biggest mistakes people make when hiring a staining company?
The most common mistake is not doing their homework on what type of stain would be best for their project. There are many variables involved in choosing which kind will work right for each surface.
Another big mistake is going cheap by looking up “how-to” videos online or using something they already have at home instead of consulting a professional who can help them determine if it’s even possible before trying themselves. Especially since concrete surfaces come in countless types, from polished porcelain tile to raw wood planking, etc., meaning some stains won’t work on certain surfaces.
A third error is expecting the flooring contractor to be able to provide you with a finished product that will last for years, which depends more than anything else on proper application and curing methods after it’s been applied before it can even begin to develop any resistance against damage or wear and tear from daily use and weather elements so always check their references and ask tough questions about how they intend to apply the stain until satisfied with your choice.
The fourth error is assuming that the flooring contractor will handle everything from start to finish without needing your input which is a widespread oversight by do-it-yourselfers, especially since it’s up to you whether or not their work gets approved for final payment.
The fifth error is not asking for a written estimate because it will be your only proof of precisely what was agreed upon if they try to change the terms later or walk away without finishing the job, which is something that happens more often than you might think.
Another error is not checking the contract for any limitations on the guarantee, especially if they offer a warranty of fewer than five years. Everything in the contract should be clear and precise so that you know exactly what to expect.
When hiring a San Antonio TX stained flooring company, the last mistake is not enough time to dry since even with good ventilation. There’s still going to be some smell that may take weeks or months to dissipate and which you don’t want lingering around your house or business rather than just for a few hours while they do their work.
Hiring a concrete staining contractor doesn’t have to be complicated. Still, it helps to have as much information beforehand, so everyone knows what they’re getting into from the start before making any rash decisions about who gets hired for this important job.
What are the different types of concrete stains?
There are three different types of stains.
The first type is acid-based, which uses a chemical reaction to etch the surface and create a textured pattern on the concrete. Acid stains work best for exposed aggregate surfaces or floors that have not been sealed previously.
The second stain is water-based. This concrete staining creates a unique color change on the surface using dyes sealed with catalyzed sealers for added protection and vibrancy. Water-based stains can be used on previous surfaces that have been adequately sealed to achieve different looks.
The third type is enzyme reactive stains work similarly to acid-based stained floors but use enzymes instead of acids to open up pores within the concrete. So they can absorb color more effectively, allowing them an even more comprehensive range of applications than either clear or dyed stains due to its multiple chemical formulations making it compatible with almost any concrete surface.
Additional tips for your San Antonio TX stained floors
Once you have chosen the type of stain that you want and talked to your preferred staining contractor about the project, there are a few things you will need to do for the staining company can complete their task successfully.
San Antonio TX homeowners must follow these tips to get an even coating of stain across the entire surface and avoid having any areas look bare or patchy when stained.
Use plastic drop cloths instead of paper whenever possible. The stains should be applied evenly over the floor but not too thickly – about one gallon per 400 square feet. Suppose your concrete contractor cuts corners on application time. In that case, it could leave up spots where water may pool, causing uneven drying, which would result in potential failure later down the road.
In addition to using proper preparation methods before applying concrete stain, it’s also necessary to properly clean the surface after it has been stained. A pressure washer should be used to remove any concrete residue or dirt from the floor so that your stain will stick and last longer.
Successful projects are much less likely to result in a lawsuit than one where problems arise down the road. Remember, you can always ask for references before hiring a contractor to give you peace of mind when making such an important decision.
Don’t use a water-based stain over an oil-based product, as the latter will prevent adhesion. Make sure not to apply more than one coat of concrete sealer. If you decide to go with multiple coats, make sure they are done at least 14 days apart. Don’t forget about proper ventilation during drying time.
Do let your San Antonio contractor know if heavy debris on the floor needs removing before staining begins. Ensure that you have taken all necessary precautions for safety when applying any chemical solution by wearing protective gear such as goggles and gloves. Don’t allow pets near areas where chemicals may be present until those surfaces have been cleaned up.
Be sure to keep these tips in mind when deciding how you want your concrete flooring surfaces to look. Don’t be afraid to ask questions before the project begins to have no surprises down the road! If you have any doubts about whether or not a contractor is doing their job correctly, don’t hesitate to pull them up on it and hire someone else.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that hiring a concrete staining company should be an enjoyable experience. You want to have your expectations met, get excellent customer service, and receive excellent results. This will only happen if you know what questions to ask before choosing the right one for you.
It can also help to do some research on companies in your area so that you are prepared when it comes time for the final decision-making process. If doing all of this sounds like too much work or seems overwhelming, then let us take care of everything!
We specialize in stained concrete services and would love to show off our portfolio with pictures of jobs we’ve done in the past, as well as testimonials from other happy San Antonio customers who were pleased with our highly durable concrete stains. You can also check out our social media pages for more information. Call us now to get a free estimate!
Our main mission is to provide top-quality concrete services that are designed to always meet and exceed our client’s expectations and demands.
