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How To Cool Down Concrete Patio

Keeping Your Concrete Cool This Summer

How to Tackle: Resurfacing Concrete Patio with Sakrete FloCoat

by secure_admin | Aug 30, 2021 | Concrete |

Summer is already here. This means that youve got to be ready for the intense heat on both your feet and skin. Though concrete is usually cooler compared to asphalt, any material that you leave in the heat of the full sun is bound to get hot.

Thus, if you are worried about the comfort of your feet on your concrete patio, you probably want to know how you can cool down the surface.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep your concrete cool this summer. Whether youre just searching for concrete stamping near me on Google or you already have stamped concrete, here are some tips to follow:


Do Not Use Water

Though a lot of individuals may recommend you to hose off your concrete if you want to cool it down, professionals dont recommend this.

First, you are only wasting a lot of water if you do this. You will probably notice a huge increase in your bills if you do this regularly.

Second, hosing off your concrete will only get rid of the heat problem for a short period. Thus, it can be extremely frustrating to keep up with the heat. That is why you should avoid using water if you want to cool down your stamped concrete.

Consider Adding a Rug


Rugs are not simply for your hallways. Nowadays, there are a lot of rugs that are specifically made for the outdoors.

These rugs are extremely durable. In addition to that, they can also be an appealing element to your stamped concrete. Thus, it can help improve its look.

Add Shade

An Early Start To The Workday

To obtain the best conditions for pouring, your contractor will want to get started as early as possible. Expect them to arrive early in the morning, when temperatures are coolest. By starting first thing in the morning, the concrete company will also have more time to work with the concrete before temperatures soar.

Will It Work On Your Patio

Even if your patio is in terrible shape, you can deck over it. Cracks, craters and seasonal movement along cracks are no problem. But beware of these three situations:


  • If an area is badly cracked and sinks noticeably year after year, any decking you put over it will also sink and develop a low spot. In most cases, settling concrete stops sinking eventually, so delay this project until it does.
  • This project raises the level of your patio by 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 in. . So any door thresholds adjoining the patio must be at least that far above the concrete. If not, this project wont work for you. If you live in a climate where the ground freezes, allow an extra 1/2 in. so that seasonal frost heave can raise the slab without damaging the threshold.
  • Stairs connected to the patio can complicate this project. To keep step heights equal, youll have to raise the treads by the same distance you raise the patio . On concrete steps, thats a straightforward job: You can treat them just like the patio, screwing sleepers to the treads and risers and decking over them.
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Coffee Table Fire Pit Idea

Perfect for relaxing at home on a cold winter day, this fire pit fits right on your table. To make this, mix some cement and pour it into a bowl or a round mold. Once that is set, place a propane tank in the center and some lava rocks around them. Just make sure to place this in the center of your table where it cant be accidentally knocked over.

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Consider A Pool Deck Resurfacing

Concrete and Paver patio installation in Olympia and ...

Resurfacing the pool deck with a cooler material, like a spray knockdown texture, is one of the easiest and most affordable methods of acquiring a cool pool deck permanently. A layer of sprayed acrylic concrete coating can be an aesthetic makeover or a pool deck repair method, which makes it ideal for both new and old decks. Aside from keeping the surface 30% cooler than regular concrete, it also makes the surface slip-resistant.

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What Do You Sit A Fire Pit On

There are many safe ways to have the fire pit of your dreams in the spot of your dreams without harming your patio, deck, or lawn. For free-standing fire pits, you can add a fire ring, some cement pavers, a heat shield, or a fire-retardant mat. For built in fire pits, add a layer of heat absorbing materials, like rock.

Wood burning fire pits burn hotter than gas ones. Many fire pits are made of steel, which is an excellent conductor. The temperature underneath the fire pit will be almost as hot as the fire itself.

A small wood fire burns at 600° F. A roaring fire burns at 1,400° F. The hottest fire is when the flames die down and the fire has burned to embers. Then, its around 2,000° F.

Fire safety is always an issue with fire pits. There are several things to consider when locating your fire pit.

First, check with your homeowners association about their fire pit rules.


If your fire pit is wood burning, it should have no overhanging roofs or trees. No gazebo fabric to accidentally blow close to flames. Safety experts say your fire pit should be 15 feet or more away from anything that could catch fire a storage shed, wooden fence, trees, or your house.

Any overhanging tree branches should be at least 10 to 15 feet away. Property lines should be at least 10 feet away.

Gas fire pits are OK under a gazebo or a roof if the roof is over 6 feet away. Just be sure you have plenty of fresh air around a gas fire pit.

Regularly Clean Your Patio

Cleaning up messes on your concrete slab will help protect against any further issues down the line by averting moisture buildups or mold growths. Depending on the time of year, moisture buildups and standing water can negatively impact your concrete patio as a result of cold temperatures. If ice forms in the crevices of your patio, this ice can exert significant pressure on different parts of the concrete slab, leading to cracks in the surface. Avoid these issues requires cleaning the patio on a regular basis to ensure that substances and particles arent setting your patio up for future damages. This means keeping an eye out for spilled drinks near seating areas and cleaning off wet benches before they dry so you dont ruin the surface.

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Contact Lone Star Paving For Your Commercial Concrete Paving Needs

While these tips save homeowners the headache of repairing and replacing concrete patios, more large-scale concrete projects are a little different. At Lone Star Paving, we implement concrete paving solutions in order to build private roads, parking lots, sidewalks, ramps, and more. These kinds of structures are exposed to even more wear and tear than everyday home structures, so it makes it that much more important for us to construct and pave solid, durable, reliable concrete structures for our customers. Our team of concrete paving specialists employs decades of experience to create concrete structures that last as long as they possibly can. Feel free to contact us about any large-scale concrete paving projects in the Central Texas area.

Wash The Surface Once A Year

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Keeping your concrete clean can protect it from discoloration and chipping, and keep it looking attractive. Concrete surfaces that are completely hardened and cured can be gently cleaned by sweeping or rinsing with a hose. If you desire to use a power washer, be sure to use the proper tools and techniques so the concrete surface doesnt get eaten away.

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S To Improve Old Concrete Patio

1. Wash Wash Wash

Just like any other outdoor resurfacing, it is essential to wash thoroughly before applying any floor coating. It is recommended to use some cleaning solution, brush, and water to remove every last bit of dirt and old paint from the existing concrete. Repeat this process as much as needed. Although this step may seem tedious, unexciting, and repetitive, trust me, this part is important, and the result will be worth it.


2. Fill the Gaps

After the deep and thorough washing, you will see visible cracks in your old concrete floors. You can use an epoxy type filler to fill in the cracks in your old concrete. Doing this is essential because applying paint or any other floor coating would be a lot easier, giving you a cleaner, more refined finish.

3. The Primer

After thoroughly washing the concrete and filling the visible cracks, the next step is applying the primer. The priming step is needed to be done correctly and adequately to ensure a better finish. Primers are usually stickier and thicker, giving you a watered-down glue texture, so this step needs extra care and attention to accomplish.

You can brush the primer onto the concrete floor edges and apply the primer to the rest of the concrete using a paint roller. It usually takes twenty-four to forty-eight hours to dry and be ready for the next coat.

4. Applying the Next Coat

Setting And Curing Times

According to the Penn State University College of Engineering, concrete will set in anywhere from about two to 19 hours, depending on the temperature. It will set in slightly less than two hours at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but at 30 degrees Fahrenheit, it will take 19 hours. It will not set in temperatures as cold as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Keep in mind that the setting is not the same thing as curing. Setting simply means the concrete has reached a completely solid-state, but it still needs additional time to reach its full strength. According to the American Concrete Institute, concrete typically reaches 70 percent of its strength within seven days, and after 28 days concrete is generally considered to be fully cured and at 100 percent strength.

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S A Reliable Concrete Company Takes To Ensure A Good Pour In Summer

Temperature, humidity and wind can all affect a successful concrete pour, which means your contractor must plan ahead and take the right steps to compensate for hot weather conditions. If youre considering having fresh concrete laid on your property in the summer, discuss the process with your contractor. Ask how they plan to ensure smooth, proper concrete pouring and curing. You can expect to hear them describe a process like this:

Install A Patio Covering

Concrete Patio Design Contractor, Ashburn Northern VA &  DC ...

Patio covers provide a roof to protect concrete. While some covers have an open lattice design for partial shade, a solid patio covering entirely blocks rain, snow, and other outside elements. At the same time, it can provide full shade. It can be sized to cover every square foot of the patio and the furniture, equipment, or dining space it contains. The cover can also protect televisions, sound systems, and other entertainment-related equipment.

With a patio covering, you can also add extra features such as retractable shades, sliding doors, and, for additional comfort and cooling, ceiling fans. You can even extend the ductwork from your home HVAC system to provide heating and cooling on your patio. At Cross Construction Services, our team can also add sunscreens, gutters, plastic composite/glass enclosures, and other functional elements, along with insulating materials such as aluminum or polycarbonate.

Some patio covers are designed to match the exterior façade of the house, right down to the shingles. The choices enable homeowners to match their patio cover with a larger design scheme. For professional assistance designing and building a concrete patio in Houston, TX, and suitable protection that can extend its life, contact Cross Construction Services at 713-254-1703 for a free estimate today!

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Etching The Pool Deck

After we have degreased the pool deck and hosed it off thoroughly , we can acid etch the concrete and/or previous deck coatings. Carefully pour a diluted acid mixture onto wet concrete using a flower watering can. Use a soft push broom to move the mixture around. Hose thoroughly off the pool deck. If your deck is wood, you can skip this step, but you may consider sanding the wood with a pole sander or wood floor type rotary sanding machine.

We have Olympic Prep Magic that combines degreasing and descaling in a one-step process to make your supply shopping and pool paint prep a bit less complicated. Prep Magic is a VOC-compliant surface prep product that is low-odor, biodegradable, and versatile enough to be used for filter cleaning as well.

Note: The cleaning process could be harmful to delicate plants and shrubs that are off the deck, so use as little TSP and acid mixture as you can and dilute with lots of water. Acid can be neutralized by using a base , before rinsing. Or you can use Acid Magic, an easy-to-use product that has no fumes and is much safer to work with than muriatic acid.

+ Easy Ways To Get Rid Of Skinks On The Porch

Skinks are strange-looking lizardswith no distinct neck and tiny legs. Interestingly, some skink species have no limbs, making their movement appear far more like a snake than a lizard.

Although some skink species are great reptile pets, most people find them very strange, and they wouldnt accept them in their homes.

There are many approaches to getting rid of skinks on your porch. All these approaches are non-invasive and will make the skinks relocate instead of dying. But first, lets look at what attracts them to porches and balconies, shall we?

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More In Concrete Coatings:

Concrete surfaces that have absorbed too much heat can have a dire effect on comfort, the environment, energy use and even health and safety. When outdoor concrete surfaces absorb UV rays from the sun, they consequently release them into the atmosphere, often resulting in whats known as the urban heat island effect. The UHI effect causes heat to travel into nearby structures, air and water, leading to human discomfort, overheated storm-water runoff, an increased need for energy to cool down buildings, and an increased risk of health problems for people living in the area, such as respiratory complications, experts say.

If the concrete surface is a pool deck, backyard patio or theme park, its a no-brainer that heat will cause discomfort for anyone who walks around barefoot.

There are three primary areas of concern when it comes to concrete temperature, says Chris Sullivan, vice president of sales and marketing for manufacturer ChemSystems Inc. The first is when skin is going to make direct contact with a surface. The second is energy more energy is required to cool down large commercial spaces that are affected by hot surfaces. And the third is safety. In parking lots and on biking trails, lighter, cooler concrete will be much more lit up and bright at night.

Genius Ways To Get Rid Of Lizards On The Porch

How to Make Old Concrete Look New! Painting Concrete Patio DIY!

Even though lizards are harmless, they can be a nuisance if they start assembling on your porch. Its okay to have lizards showing up on your porch, but if they start appearing multiple times, thats a red flag.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways that you can get rid of lizards and stop them from coming to your porch. Keep on reading to learn the different methods that can protect your porch against these annoying reptiles.

All of these mechanisms are practical, and youre going to find some that youll want to implement right away, regardless of your situation. But before then, lets see what attracts them to the porch.

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Creative Diy Backyard Fire Pits

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The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Nothing says cozy and comfortable like flames crackling in a backyard fire pit. Imagine gathering with friends and family sipping wine, roasting hot dogs, and making smores around your own fire pit during cool summer nights. Relax and have fun knowing that you spent very little on the DIY project, because you made it using inexpensive materials.

Nearly every fire pit in this gallery costs between $50 and $150. The secret to these super-low costs is the basic building materials used to form the fire pits, such as bricks, pavers, concrete, and retaining wall blocks. Other types of fire pits can be made using repurposed materials such as metal planters, flower pots, and even glass.

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Cool Off The Surrounding:

Lizards are cold-blooded animals. So, their activity depends hugely on the external temperature. Consequently, lizards hate cold places and become lethargic.

Hence, if you use fire pit around the patio to keep yourself warm during the wintertime, make sure the area cools off when you leave it. You may use a fan system to cool down the patio area right before you leave it after a worm and fun time.

As the patio area remains cool, lizards develop a distaste for space.

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How To Install Knockdown Finish On Concrete Pool Decks Patios Driveways Etc

It is strongly recommended to leave the installation process to a licensed concrete contractor. However, it is also important for homeowners to have an idea of what the application process involves. Here is a rough look at how to spray texture pool decks, patios, or driveways:

Step 1: First, the concrete surface is evaluated to check if it is structurally stable for a spray-down concrete resurfacing. If any damage is found, appropriate repairs are applied first.

Step 2: The concrete surface is cleaned and air-dried properly to ensure proper adhesion.

Step 3: The coating is mixed in accurate ratios to make sure that it cures effectively. It is important that the installer is trained for this as too much water can make the coating weaker when dry.

Step 4: The spray coating is then sprayed using a hopper gun. This is a gravity-fed equipment, powered by an air compressor, that makes it easier to lay down spray-down systems.

Step 5: Make sure that the surface of the concrete is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The coating is then sprayed evenly and consistently for a more uniform finish.

Step 6: A trowel is then used to knock the sprayed coating down. Just enough to remove the point uneven tips of the sprayed material and creating a textured finish similar to a stucco drywall.

Step 7: A concrete sealing product is then applied on the surface of the cured coating to protect it from penetrating elements and to give it a bit of shine.


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