Maintenance and Repair:

Taking care of your Acid Stained Concrete floor or Custom Decorative Concrete Overlay requires periodic  maintenance.  There is Good news and Bad news.  The Bad News is you have to put forth a bit of effort to keep your surface looking good - kind of like waxing your car - a
necessary evil.  The good news is it is not as hard as you may think.
There is one problem with transforming your dull Gray Concrete into a
Decorative Concrete Overlay or Acid Stained Floor.........Once you make
something pretty; you notice when it is dirty.  The information below will
give you the knowledge needed to keep your surface looking its best.
Your new Stained Concrete Floor or Decorative Concrete Overlay Floor
must be maintained.  Floors that need to be repaired due to neglect will
not be covered in warranty and will be subject to full repair prices.
        &n bsp;     Exterior Surface Care
Your Exterior surface was sealed with multiple coats of a high-solids, UV-
inhibiting, penetrating solvent-based sealer.  This sealer will repel dirt,
dust and other substances that can get a foot-hold on concrete surfaces
and promote the growth of mold and mildew.  Basic care is as shown
below:

   1. If you notice a powdery white or splotchy appearance; especially
      after a rain, the sealer is doing its job. This is the dirt/dust
      mentioned above.  A rinse with a garden hose followed by a leaf
      blower to remove excess water will fix this.
   2. Pressure washing is generally not needed.  A rinse and a blow will
      remove most things on the surface.
   3. If there was a spill of a soft drink or something you didn't see right
      away, use a mild soap like Simple Green in some warm water to
      loosen the material.  Rinse and blow and you are back to a clean
      surface.
   4. Plastic glides or Magic Movers should be affixed to heavy
      furnishings or those which will move frequently.  
   5. Potted plants should have a dish placed under them to catch
      excess water; this is especially true if you use a lot of fertilizer on
      the plants.
   6. The surface should be resealed from time to time. The
      manufacturer of the sealant recommends resealing every 1 to 2
      years.  How often your surface needs to be resealed depends on the
      amount of rain and sunlight it receives.  When you start to notice
      that water doesn't bead up on or seems to absorb into the surface, it
      is time to reseal.

        &n bsp;       &nbs p;      Interior Floor Care
Your Custom Interior Floor may last a lifetime if properly maintained.  
Plastic glides, Felt Pads or Magic Movers should be affixed to heavy
furnishings or those which will move frequently.  Use the same
precautions you would use for a Hard Wood Floor.  A Door Mat at the
outside (Hemp or Rope style) and inside entrance (one with a solid
backing that can be shook off outside) of a home will pick up over 85% of
the dirt that would otherwise be tracked inside.    
One important thing to mention about your walk-off mat is how to choose
one.  For the first month, an open-back mat such as a carpet remnant
should be used while the sealer/finish cures.  Plastic-backed products
should NOT be used for your mats.  An acrylic or plastic backed mat can
cause dis-coloration under and around the mat.  This phenomenon is
called Plasticizer Migration. This is caused when a plasticizer in a floor
mat or floor material transfers itself (migrates) into the floor finish or
sealer.  A Plasticizer is an ingredient of a floor finish (or flooring/mat
product) that makes it more flexible and less brittle. This is
accomplished with an additive which reduces intermolecular forces in
the polymers. Since the intermolecular forces are reduced, the
molecules in the Plastic mat surface next to your floor will actually
want to bond with the molecules in the sealer MORE than the sealer
bonds to the concrete. Then when you pull up the mat, you may be
tearing up part of your sealer.  If a solid backed mat is used, it should be
a mat with a backing of 100% Rubber material.

Here is how to care for your floor:
A: Daily Dust Mopping
Daily dust mopping removes the fine dust and grit which can grind away
floor finish. It will help prevent major floor finish deterioration caused
by normal foot traffic.  The best results are obtained by using a Micro-
Fiber Dust Mop.  The following procedures should be followed:

   1. Dust mop the floor in one continuous movement without lifting the
      mop off the floor. Overlap your stroke on each pass (you can also
      vacuum).
   2. Clean the dust mop after each use by shaking it outdoors, brushing
      it with a brush over a garbage can, or vacuuming it.   
   3. NEVER use a "Swiffer Wet-Jet" type of cleaning tool.  The liquid in
      these devices contain trace amounts of Solvent material.  The
      Solvent will not harm the sealer but will cause the wax to egg-
      shell.  Also, you should not use Ammonia, Bleach or Pine Sol.


B: Damp Mopping - Use Cool Water

   1. Damp mopping with cool water and a neutral ph cleaner extends
      the floor finish life. It will not dull the finish and will enhance
      the gloss retention.
   2. Follow the recommended dilution rates on label directions.      &nb sp;    
   3. The mop should be wrung out tightly so that it is just damp.  Do not
      allow the cleaning solution to puddle.
   4. NEVER use a "Swiffer" type of cleaning tool.  I know this is a
      repeat from above but I must state this again.  The liquid in these
      devices contain trace amounts of Solvent material.  The Solvent
      will not harm the sealer but will cause the wax to egg-shell.  Also,
      no Amonia, Bleach or Pine Sol.


C: Waxing
Wax is the sacrificial coating to protect the sealer and bear the brunt of
the scuff and scratches.  Your floor was installed with 4 coats of wax for
the initial protection.  We leave the remaining wax with you so you know
the type to use a 20% minimum solids wax.  No Mop-n-Glo or similar wax
should be used.

   1. How often you need to re-wax depends on the abuse you, your
      children or pets put on the floor.  It varies by owner and may be
      anywhere from every 3 months to every year.
   2. Use a looped-end Rayon mop -- synthetics release material cotton
      absorbs -- or a Lambs Wool Applicator.
   3. Pour a dinner-plate sized puddle on the floor and spread it evenly
      and thinly.  Spread the material across the surface and let it dry
      for 1 hour.  You are now ready for foot traffic again.


The use of a Floor Mat on the Outside and Inside of entry doors will pick
up about 85% of dirt that would enter a home.  The use of mats is
especially good if you are living in a new housing development.   
Troubleshooting: