Short-Questions

Fast solutions for complex problems

What do you clean concrete with before tiling?

Start by sweeping your concrete floor to get rid of all dust and debris. Then clean with a wet mop of plain water. Use a few tablespoons of a degreasing cleaner in warm water and scrub the concrete with a scrub brush. Finally, rinse thoroughly.

Do you need to clean concrete before tiling?

It’s important to note that regardless of whether the tiles are to be laid on the surface of an existing floor where an old covering needs to be removed or whether they’re to be laid on a new or existing concrete floor, the same principle applies – and that is that all subfloors have to be flat, even, clean and totally …

Can you install tile directly on concrete?

A: It’s perfectly acceptable to put tile directly on concrete — with a couple of caveats. First, it is important to determine if there is moisture coming up from the slab. Those products should help prevent any cracks in the slab from damaging the newly installed tile.

How do you clean stained concrete before sealing?

Prep the Surface

  1. Step 1: Clean the Surface. First, thoroughly sweep the surface of all dirt and debris.
  2. Step 3: Mop and Dry. After the stains have been removed, mop with floor cleaner and water.
  3. Step 4: Fill Cracks. Any cracks or pitting will need to be filled in before applying the sealer.

Does Thinset stick to old concrete?

Whether you have cracks, chips or just a stained concrete slab, Thinset helps cover the old surface and create a new problem-free area. The thin mix is laid over the old concrete, slipping into cracks and crevices, hardening quickly into a smooth surface.

What goes under tile on concrete?

Install an Uncoupling Membrane Between Concrete and Tile To prevent those movements from transferring to the tile floor, consider installing an uncoupling membrane between the concrete and tile surfaces. This flexible polyethylene layer is easy to install and can protect the tile from both cracking and moisture.

How long after sealing concrete can you walk on it?

Typically, it can take anywhere from 10-12 hours to dry before being able to be walked on, but they will continue to harden for up to 48 hours after being applied. Concrete sealed with a urethane coating should not be walked on (with the exception of a recoat), driven on, or wet for at least 36-48 hours.

Should I seal my driveway after pressure washing?

One way to keep your concrete driveway, walkway or walls looking good is to wash them and seal them every 2 to 3 years. Sealer also helps prevent stains from setting in on the concrete. Sealing concrete after pressure washing is similar to painting walls in your house.

Can you bond new concrete to old concrete?

The cement within a concrete mix doesn’t contain any natural bonding agents – so when fresh concrete is added on top of an existing layer of concrete, the two won’t join together. The new won’t adhere to the old without the help of a bonding adhesive.

How to prep concrete for stain-surface preparation?

Proper floor preparation is the first step in creating beautiful concrete floors like this one. Diamond D Company in Capitola, CA Once homeowners see how beautiful and easy to maintain decorative stained concrete floors can be, they often are eager to rip up their grungy carpets and yellowed vinyl tiles to expose the concrete underneath.

What’s the best way to stain a concrete floor?

The most important step of how to stain a concrete floor is surface preparation. New concrete should be at least four weeks old. Begin by removing all items from the floor and cleaning the area thoroughly. Sweep and mop to remove all dust, dirt and debris, as these will show through the stain and can impact the finished look.

How to prepare concrete floor for tile installation?

Use the concrete patching compound to fill any depressions, taking care to keep the surface of the floor level. Allow the floor surface to dry for at least 12 hours, and make sure the floor is completely dry before moving on to the next step. 7. Apply the Sealer After cleaning, patching, and repairing the concrete floor, you’ll be ready to seal it.

Do you have to clean concrete before staining?

“Even after you clean the surface, the curing compound may have migrated down into the pores of the concrete and the stain will react minimally. You may get marks that look like water spots,” he says. Schmidt also warns against acid etching of floors before staining.