The same can be said for projects involving decorative concrete in the outdoors. Based on seal coating Columbus, colors will fade if not sealed, water marks may appear, and stains may penetrate, leaving unsightly oil spots where
the service guy parked his ancient jalopy on the driveway. It's simple: without a good sealer, the job would not last.Is sealing outdoor ornamental concrete jobs worth it to your consumer in a tight economy where every penny counts? Let's look at a few of the problems.
Appearance
Sealing an outdoor decorative concrete project is the best, and as far as we know, the only, technique to prevent color changes caused by UV rays from the sun. In just a few months, an unsealed, ornamental tinted concrete surface will display faded colors. You might tell your customer that's what happens when a project isn't sealed and let them decide whether or not to seal it, but rest assured that a "I told you so" from you when the fading occurs won't make them feel better. Whether you deserve it or not, you will be held responsible for a poor work, and negative feedback will harm your business. It's usually enough to show them a touchable example (rather than just a picture) of the extra depth of color that occurs when ornamental concrete is sealed to persuade them that sealing is the way to go.
Time
We all know that time is money, thus cutting labor costs as much as possible when bidding a task is a strong temptation. Simply removing the sealer, cleaning the concrete, and declaring the job finished is a tempting approach to save money and move on to the next project. It also implies that the customer will be able to utilise their space sooner for their large cookout.
Cost
True, sealing an outside ornamental concrete job will increase the project's cost. Concrete sealer from a reputable brand isn't cheap. When you factor in the expense of prepping the surface and applying the sealer, the price has risen significantly. Your duty is to explain to your customer that they've invested a lot of money in their decorative concrete, and it needs to be protected.
Maintenance
The ease of upkeep is one of the benefits of sealing an outdoor ornamental concrete surface. Dirt and dust readily wash away, and spills wipe away with ease, leaving the surface undisturbed. That concept is popular among customers. The disadvantage of sealing an outdoor ornamental concrete surface is that it necessitates ongoing upkeep. Concrete must be resealed on a regular basis. That concept is unpopular among customers. Resealing just means more business for you, the contractor.
DURABILITY
Concrete is not without foes. Mother Nature slams the ground with rain or snow, then delivers in bitterly cold temperatures. Water can permeate the pores of an unsealed ornamental concrete surface, causing damage from the severe freeze-thaw cycle. Who knew the movers would drag a large crate across the unsealed surface, scratching and scraping it badly? A excellent sealer prevents water penetration and protects the decorative concrete finish from abrasion, which is exactly what your customer wants.
SAFETY There's no doubting that damp or oily sealed concrete can be dangerous. When sealing outdoor pedestrian surfaces that may be subjected to damp, oily, or greasy conditions, a reputable contractor should always employ a slip-resistant compound. On our website, you may get slip-resistance guidelines from OSHA and the American Disabilities Association. Safety is a simple and inexpensive repair for sealed concrete surfaces, therefore missing the addition shouldn't be an option. While unsealed projects are less slippery, they also lack the advantages of sealing that we discussed earlier in this piece.
To summarize, there are benefits and drawbacks to sealing outdoor decorative concrete. Sealing is a good idea.
