Home improvement expert Ron Hazelton shows how to paint quickly and evenly using a paint roller and 5-gallon bucket. Visit www.ronhazelton.com for more videos on painting walls, paint colors and indoor projects.
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Although concrete may seem pretty tough, it actually is vulnerable to many environmental factors. People often overlook the fact that concrete is porous. And as with porous surfaces, moisture, stains, molds, and other environmental hazards can seep in, wrecking havoc on your beautiful concrete surfaces.
Your concrete is always vulnerable to water. These porous surfaces will allow moisture to loosen your vinyl tiles or ruin your carpet.
How does water get in my concrete, (and how do I stop it)?
Water can enter concrete in two ways: from the top side or from the ground. Water entering from the top is called positive moisture. It comes from rain and other liquids that spill on the concrete surface. Ground moisture is called negative moisture. It comes from the natural moisture of the ground over which the concrete is laid.
Concrete surfaces act like sponges when exposed to water. It will draw water until it is saturated, or if there is no more water available. It will then disperse the water until it reaches equilibrium state.
What does water do to my concrete?
Water may cause many processes that can lead to noticeable damage. Water causes the rebar to rust. This in turn weakens the concrete.
Water also activates alkali disintegration. During the curing process of concrete, the alkali in the concrete becomes dormant. As water seeps into the concrete the alkali begins to react again with the concrete around it. This destroys the concrete from within.
Water is also causes mold, mildew and algae to grow. Mold has been known to influence severe health problems. Algae, on the other hand, cause the concrete to become slick and discolored while mildew often give off a bad odor and stains organic materials.
Up to 60% of homes have basements that suffer from this sort of problem. This could seriously affect the resell value of your home and make your home a health hazard to its occupants.
The moisture must be stopped to stop the damage.
To protect your concrete walls or floors, you need to have them protected with a concrete sealer. Concrete sealers protect concrete from deterioration brought about by road salt, stains, oil, moisture, and molds. It also provides a layer of protection that allows for easier sweeping and cleaning.
You will most likely need only one application of concrete sealant to keep your concrete surfaces protected.
Needed Equipment
First of all, you need to assemble the needed equipment. First of all, you must wear protective clothing since you are about to work with potential irritants. Gather a stiff brush and a water bucket. You will also need some rubber gloves, goggles and small-particle filter to protect you against chemical agents. You will also need some paintbrushes and a paint roller. Make sure there is proper ventilation at the place you are to work with the concrete sealer.
How to Apply
1. Clean the Floor. Your surface must be free of dirt, grime, grease, and oil. The stiff scrub brush will help remove stubborn stains. Use a commercial cleaner to help remove the dirt. Stubborn stains might need some soaking in a detergent solution before they can be removed. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. A second application may be required.
2. Apply Sealer: Before painting the floor, make sure you test the sealer on a small patch of floor. This will tell you if the floor is clean enough or if there are still imperfections that should be remedied. Uneven density in the concrete may result in a blotchy appearance that may be undesirable. Apply the sealer using a paint roller with an extension handle. Use the brush to cut in when working the perimeter. Start in a rear corner and work your way out of the area you are working on. Work the sealer into the surface. Spread it in a way that all the puddles are eliminated and apply a relatively thin uniform coat. You will probably only need one coating. Allow the sealer to dry. This will take a few hours.
3. Clean Up: Don’t forget to wash up with soap and warm water immediately afterwards. Remember you had just dealt with a potentially hazardous chemical. Always keep safety in mind as you work on your area. Also, dispose of the roller and the brushes you used for the job. Concrete sealers may require that you use these equipments just once.
As many as eighty percent of the new homes being built in the U.S. are built with central air conditioning units installed. Central air just makes sense, as it keeps the indoor temperatures comfortable while filtering and dehumidifying the air. This is particularly nice for people who suffer from allergies or asthma. Fortunately, central air conditioning units can be installed in preexisting homes, too.
When shopping around for central air conditioning units, there are several things to consider. One is the size of the home you will be cooling. Air conditioning units come in different sizes, so it is important to choose the most efficient size for the cooling job you have in mind. If the unit is too large, it won’t dehumidify properly. To determine the right size, consult a contractor. They should have access to a calculation method called “Manual J” that can help you choose a size.
Another important consideration in central air conditioning units is a rating called the SEER rating. These letters stand for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. New air conditioners are required to have a rating of 13. A unit that was installed over twenty years ago probably has a rating of only 7 or 8. This is because technology has improved the energy efficiency.
By replacing old inefficient air conditioners with new central air conditioning units, you can save a lot of money in cooling costs. It is estimated that increasing the SEER rating from 11.5 to 13 could save you over $500 each year in cooling costs. Also, look for “Scroll(tm) technology” when choosing a compressor for the latest in efficiency.
Another thing to look for in central air conditioning units is the “Energy Star.” This is a certification given to new appliances that use less energy than other new models. Of course, they use a lot less than equivalent units that are a number of years old.
When installing central air conditioning units, the location of the outdoor unit can make a big difference. If it is surrounded by vegetation or is under a deck, the air will not be able to flow freely in and out of it. Not only that, the units can be noisy. Don’t install it near an area where you like to enjoy eating or visiting outdoors, such as a patio or deck.
One of the most often overlooked aspect of bathroom remodeling that you should take special note of is the floor. Most people don’t pay too much attention to the floor when remodeling their bathroom.
The floor of your bathroom should be one of the first places to start when remodeling. This is because the floor gets much more used than other aspects of your bathroom.
That being said, it is also important that you also use the best type of floor that will not only be durable, but also beautiful looking. This does not mean you have to spend fortunes on the floor.
You can get stone or ceramic tile for your bathroom floor. Such stone or ceramic floor tiles are not too expensive but are mostly durable. So, you can spend just a little more money and still get good quality floor tiles for your bathroom. I know of people who have these stone or ceramic tiles for their bathroom floors that have lasted for ages. Yours too can.
But to get the best benefit of stone or ceramic floor for your bathroom, you have to make sure it is properly installed. So, get the help of a professional to properly fix or install your stone or ceramic tile. If it is not properly fixed, it will not last at all.
There was once when I did the mistake of getting an amateur to fix the tiles for my bathroom. Sadly, this did not last at all. I had to get it remodeled after a very short time. I ended up spending much more and wasting valuable time remodeling my bathroom floor. Don’t repeat such a mistake.
Do it once and do it the right way and you will enjoy your bathroom floor remodeling for years to come!
