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I have recently taken over a project that has architectual concrete finished walls both interior and exterior, some of them over 40 foot high! My problem is that the previous contractor did not protect them between pours and the are badly stained, have exposed aggregate and are generally not to the owners liking. The form work was done to provide a high gloss slick finish. Every method I use to try to clean the walls removes this gloss. Any thoughts on patch work and reappling a high gloss finish would be great.
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Oh boy, Ron.
The high gloss is the problem that will give you the most grief.
You can fill in the voids with epoxy filler and rub down the rough spots, but you will loose the shine.
You can apply a clear sealer over everything but if you have oil stains, it will end up blotchy as well. You would have to clean the entire surface first before putting on any sealers.
You will have to try a little area first. Concrete varies tremendously and what works here may not work there, if you understand what I'm saying.
Gabe
*will they pay for or be pleased with a stone or brick type wall. I dont know how high they can go but i know of stone fireplaces over 30' high installed vertically. Seems to me the best solution would be to cover with a non structural material for cosmetic purposes.....what about furring and installing drywall or paneling......is the concrete being exposed an absolute must?
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I have a residential project using a post-tensioned high strength concrete floor. The concrete floor was to be a finished floor but unfortunately it got screwed up. I am having the contractor pour a new 2" level slab on top of the old. What is the best way to prevent cracking? Should the new slab be glued or floated(allow so the slabs don't bond together as suggested by the sub) on the existing slab?
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You should use a latex bonding agent between the two. Match the control joints as well.
Gabe
*Make sure the post-tension design is capable of carrying 2 more inches of concrete plus the original design loads. It will also make a difference if the slab is bonded to the old slab (effectively becoming part of the post-tensioned slab) or unbonded (dead load on original slab). Time to call an engineer.Eric
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I have recently taken over a project that has architectual concrete finished walls both interior and exterior, some of them over 40 foot high! My problem is that the previous contractor did not protect them between pours and the are badly stained, have exposed aggregate and are generally not to the owners liking. The form work was done to provide a high gloss slick finish. Every method I use to try to clean the walls removes this gloss. Any thoughts on patch work and reappling a high gloss finish would be great.