What is Skim Coating?
Skim coating is a technique that can give your concrete steps, pathways, walkways, patios, walls, and driveways a fresh new look and close any cosmetic cracks and cover and stains.
The new finish of your concrete will be about 1/4 inch thick after the skim coating process and the results look fantastic.
The technique involves applying a layer of cement over your existing concrete structures, covering small cracks, stains, and grout lines leaving a brand-new smooth surface and dazzling appearance and will prolong the life span of your surface and waterproof it as well.
General Masonry Construction in Northbrook, IL can help you your skim coating project with precision and care to make your cement structures look brand new.
Contact General Masonry Construction today in Northbrook, IL to inquire more about skim coating!
Power washing is highly recommended for skim coating preparation and should be done whether your concrete has been painted or not.
Preparing for Skim Coating
It is important to have a professional assess if your surfaces are still structurally sound and not too deteriorated. If the cracks in your foundation are large or there are areas of your foundation are sinking, a skim coating would merely be cosmetic and not fix structural deterioration. If your foundation does need rebuilding it would be wise to make any necessary repairs before your skim coating process. Any areas on your concrete surface that is sunken due to rainfall or areas that collect waters in a puddle should be repaired and troweled with concrete. To begin with the skim coating process, you would want completely to prepare the surface for the skim coating so you can have optimal results and a brand new looking cement finish.
First, start by removing any old paint if your surface was painted. Chip and peel away any old paint using hand tools before applying specially designed chemical paint stripping solution to your concrete surface. Let the solution absorb and work for as long as the directions call for and then thoroughly clean the surfaces with a pressure power washer, paint knife or scraper, wire brush, or power hose.
Next, you will want to fill any of your surface cracks with epoxy injections. Treating your cracks early on with epoxy injections will help prolong the life of your concrete foundation. Epoxy injection is a process that applies epoxy resin into cracks and crevices with an injection. After you have made your epoxy injections your stability and surface will restore and will not affect your foundation. It is important to make your epoxy injections after you have thoroughly power washed and cleaned your surface. Epoxy is a strong material and is made to repair most masonry structures. Epoxy is as strong as concrete thus it is worth your while to make these repairs with epoxy injections versus replacing the concrete itself. Epoxy injections are cost effective and a great way to keep your masonry foundation looking perfectly new.
Once you have made your epoxy injections in visible cracks you can also improve your water proofing by filling any cracks that are and eight of an inch wide with concrete mix. Use a putty knife to apply a mix to the cracks and then trowel over to create a level and smooth surface. You can also use a caulk gun for larger width cracks and then smooth over again with your knife and trowel. You can also patch any larger cracks or chips with vinyl patching compound. Making sure your surface is level is paramount in the skim coating process.
After you have fully let all your crack mixes, epoxy injections, fresh cement go through their curing processes is when you are ready to pout your topcoats. Both horizontal and vertical surface have their own specific topcoats that have different bonding additives. For vertical surfaces you would want to mix your concrete mix with special paddle extension to your drill and apply it with a trowel, keeping the depth level as you apply. For horizontal surfaces you can apply your concrete mix with a squeegee or a hand trowel. Once that topcoat has cured it is important to brush finish your surface with a broom. This will add a slip and skid resistant texture to the surface guarding against your walkways or steps being slick with wet.
Your skim coating application consists of two layers, the first one being about an eight of an inch thick which is known as a thin finish. You will then spray your driveway area or patio or whatever your concrete surface with a hose to create a bond with you concrete.
If you are trying to achieve a color or pigment to your skim coat you would add a base color in this skim coat to your mix. You then spread the thin finish around your area with a long-handled squeegee and let it dry just like you did your crack patches and epoxy injections.
Next, once the first coat is dry you will apply your second coat with a new mixture that is less parts water per fifty-five-pound bag of mix and add your base pigment color.
Use your trowel to spread the new thick mix into another one eight of an inch thick layer. Once this has dried after a day you may go over it again with an acid stain.
General Masonry Construction in Northbrook, IL can help you your skim coating and epoxy injection project with precision and care to make your cement structures look brand new.
Contact General Masonry Construction today in Northbrook, IL to inquire more about skim coating, epoxy injection, and vinyl patching!
