Basement Floor Repair

This cracked up basement floor was beautifully restored by Hardscapes Inc.

After grinding and patching, the floor received an overlay of Elite Crete’s thin Finish. Once dry, it was stained for a gorgeous titanium mottling. Top coated with Elite Crete E100 PT1 epoxy and a satin polyurethane, this floor will stand up to the daily abuse of kids, toys, pets etc.

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Oil or Transmission Fluid Stain?

Ever wonder what stains your driveway more, oil or transmission fluid?

Stained DrivewayQuite honestly it doesn’t really matter. Either one will leave a nasty stain. If you leave it too long or you have a chronic problem with you vehicle it may be imbedded in the cement permanently.

These two fluids left un-attended can also lead to pitting in the concrete. Small divots that will let water sit and will eventually crack the surface.

If your drive way sounds like the one above you might consider re-surfacing. Hardscapes Inc. has a surface solution for every driveway situation. Fast and professional, get your driveway looking brand new in no time.

Concrete Floors

This gorgeous floor was created by engraving the pattern with our Mongoose concrete engraver. Next, We stained the concrete with Elite Crete’s Antique Brown Chem stone stain. The lines were  highlighted with Antique black by one of our master installers with a steady hand to create the soft rustic edges to the pattern. The floor is coated with Elite Crete PT-1 Epoxy for beauty and durability.

This is a great way to change the look of your floors.

Check out our gallery at www.concretecanada.com  for more beautiful floors!

Concrete Discoloration

Even though concrete is a substance that can be easily mixed, you can really run into problems if it is not worked properly. These issues include scaling, discoloring and shrinkage to name a few.

Discoloration or discoloring is one of the most common.

If you are using the same materials, mix and batch your concrete should have a consistent color. Changes in concrete color can occur just by using two different cements or if a chemical from a job site gets added to the mix, even different water sources can change the color of the concrete.

Solving discoloration problems:

  1. Discuss your tolerances with the supplier
  2. Water must be completely evaporated before concrete can be finished
  3. Make sure the entire surface is uniformly cured
  4. Use a consistent form release agent

Hardscapes Inc. uses these methods and many more to create perfect concrete structure every time.

Thank you Calgary!

thanksHardscapes Inc. has just closed off our 17th year of providing quality concrete coatings and seamless flooring solutions in Calgary.

We have seen many changes in the industry over the years and have worked hard to stay current with the latest in coating technology.

We pride ourselves on our attention to detail which is why we have maintained relationships with many of Calgary’s finest home builders, designers and general contractors.

Concrete flooring has stood the test of time and is still increasing in popularity as more and more people seek a custom “one of a kind” floor.

We’d like to thank all of our valued clients for their continued support over the years and look forward to continued growth and new relationships.

Thank you Calgary!

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Concrete and Water

Even though things are starting to get back to normal after the flooding in Calgary some home owners are still struggling with the aftermath and the damage left by water in their basements. Many basement floors were completely destroyed.

After grinding the floor to remove all the old glue and any other contaminants left behind by the backed up water we patched up all the cracks and deficiencies. A base colour coat was first applied and allowed to dry. Then the reflector coat was applied and allowed to dry and finally a clear polyurethane was applied for optimal wear and durability.

The Hardscapes Inc. crew left this happy client with a beautiful new resilient floor that would resist the water damage in the event of another flood.

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See The Video »

Water Damage on Concrete

Will water damage concrete?

The short answer is yes.

It’s called water degradation and can be caused by any number of things. Fire, aggregate expansion, bacterial corrosion, calcium leaching and many others.

With the recent flooding in Calgary many basement floors were damaged by the flood water and backed up sewers.

Untreated sewer water can produce hydrogen sulfide, which is then oxidized by aerobic bacteria present on the concrete surface above the water level. The sulfuric acid dissolves the carbonates in the cured cement and causes strength loss, as well as producing sulfates that can be destructive to the concrete.

Hardscapes Inc. has a solution to this problem. A clean up of the concrete floor and then sealing the concrete with a great decorative coating can preserve and update your damaged basement floor. This is a great alternative to replacing rugs and hardwoods.

For more ideas on how to restore or create your concrete Hardscapes Inc. has the answers.

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Rebuild or Repair

Restored StairConcrete is a standard building material. A good portion of every home built consists of concrete of one form or another.

Concrete in outside features like driveways and steps is also the material of choice for these home features but unlike your basement floor these are exposed to the wear and tear of the elements.

Constant bombardment from our Canadian weather can lead to pitting, cracking and flaking, eventually rendering the concrete unsafe or at least unpleasant to look at.

Taking down and rebuilding a heavy concrete step for example can cost thousands of dollars not to mention days of demolition, interruption and reconstruction.

Hardscapes can show you another alternative. A concrete restoration might be just what you need. The cost is about half of a removal and re-installation and the result is considerably more pleasing to the eye.

This restoration was $1800.00 a far cry from the $3000.00 quoted for demolition and re-construction.

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Mobile Solutions Floors

This week Mobile Solutions Calgary opened its doors to its clients to show off some beautiful exotic cars and to highlight the amazing floors created by Hardscapes Concrete.

Specialty logos and design as well as custom colours are what make Hardscapes Concrete Inc. the #1 choice for a truly one-of-a-kind floor.

Feel free to stop buy Mobile Solutions at 2331 50 Ave SE #136, Calgary, to see our high performance coatings and floors in action.

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Wearing Conctete

worn-concteteIf you have lived in your home for a number of years you might have to deal with broken concrete. Constant wear and tear from the environment, road salt and the dropping of heavy objects can cause cracking and pitting as well as permanent staining.

The concrete fixtures of your home are one of the first things guests or the public notice when they come to you pay a visit.

Resurfacing and repairing these surfaces is not something you want to attempt on your own. A professional knows the right formula and surface to apply to your specific needs.

Hardscapes Inc. has all the tools and materials to do the job right. Contact us or request a quote to find out how to solve your aging concrete woes.