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Update Your Concrete
Patio
 As
the warm weather arrives, the backyard becomes a popular outdoor
‘room’ for relaxing and entertaining, with the
patio a centre of activity. If yours is concrete, consider
it a blank canvas waiting to be customized with a simple weekend
paint job!
Getting Started:
Begin by cleaning
the patio carefully, using Dynamic Tri Sodium Phosphate (TSP)
to remove grease and oil - always use Paint & Stripping
gloves to protect your hands. Rinse the entire surface with
clean water and good pressure at least twice to make sure
it is free of all possible residues.
Allow the surface
to dry completely, especially water that collects in cracks
in the concrete as this will prevent paint from adhering properly.
Close any cracks with a sealant designed for concrete. Close
larger cracks with epoxy crack sealer. Your Dynamic dealer
can recommend the right products and application methods for
your particular patio.
While you can use a concrete paint, the best way to colour
a patio is to apply Mason’s Select concrete stain using
either a Dynamic paint roller or a tank sprayer. Stains are
available in many colours, and, unlike paint, they actually
penetrate the concrete surface. Water vapour moving up from
under the patio does not affect stain as it can paint so there
is not risk of peeling. The best application surface temperature
is from about 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (concrete surface
temperature).
After staining or painting the colour you’ve
chosen, if you’re feeling creative, you can add a different
colour to create a unique pattern. Make a “stamp”
out of something like a large piece of thick foam and use
a Dynamic mini roller to load it with paint or stain. Once
it’s been loaded with colour, press the stamp onto the
patio and repeat as necessary. You could make your stamp any
shape you want to create a very distinct pattern, or leave
it square and apply in a checkerboard pattern or be totally
random – the only limit is your imagination!
If you do plan to paint your concrete
patio, be sure to apply a base coat of primer recommended
for exterior concrete surfaces. You may need to apply two
coats to ensure the base coat is even and that any old paint
is well hidden. Be sure to let the paint dry thoroughly before
you bring out patio furniture and planters.
Maintaining Your New Patio
To maintain your concrete patio’s
new surface, sweep it regularly with a soft broom. Wash the
patio with a sponge mop – dirt gets ground into the
surface as it accumulates, accelerating wear.
If your concrete patio is painted, avoid hosing with a hard
spray from a garden hose – this can force water into
the paint and begin to break it down. Touch up any chipped
or worn spots as quickly as possible using a coat of exterior
concrete primer, then two coats of paint.
Don’t forget!
Painting your concrete patio should be the last step you take
if you’re landscaping your backyard so that construction
materials and dirt don’t damage the new finish!
Get creative with your concrete patio and watch your family
and guests marvel at your handiwork – visit a Dynamic
dealer for everything you need to make a plain concrete patio
a unique backyard feature
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