Concrete Maintenance, Repair, Acid-Staining - Pool Decks, Driveways, Patios, Floors - Kelowna's MODE CONCRETE can help you!

Concrete stains can be applied to any horizontal or vertical concrete surface. It's a great way to punch up brand new or boring old concrete, camouflage and disguise cracks or repairs, and a wonderful way to add a designer touch. With concrete we embrace and look forward to variations, irregularities, and the patina that develops with wear over time. Adding a stain can further add a depth and character to your concrete surface and camouflage any naturally occurring imperfections. Here we created a rich patinaed, antiqued brown concrete patio for our Kelowna client.

There are good reasons why interior designers often choose concrete for their most cutting edge spaces. Stained, colored, textured or smooth, concrete boasts limitless design options. It provides a blank canvas upon which homeowners can leave their mark.  But beyond the design advantages, these surfaces are low maintenance and they blend seamlessly with the architectural aesthetics of various design styles.

We have many great dyes and pigment options available.  Concrete staining and sealing is great for driveways, patios, concrete floors, retaining walls , concrete slabs or any concrete surface. MODE CONCRETE provides all the services we discuss in this blog.  If you'd like anymore information please contact us.  We service Kelowna & area, in BC Canada.

DIY concrete staining advice: Concrete art is only as good as the artisan completing the project. DIY'ers contact us all the time... but without proper technique, product exposure and the experience, results could vary greatly in this regard.  We always advise doing test areas to see how the concrete reacts before treating large surfaces.  Due to the high level of unpredictability that concrete naturally exhibits, concrete staining is a tricky project even for the most ambitious DIY'er. Each concrete surface will stain uniquely according to variations in surface density, texture, porosity, and composition.

If you plan to hire professionals:  You usually get what you pay for, and getting the best deal or accepting the cheapest estimate, will probably not get you the best results or greatest longevity of the product. The difference in cost could be quality of materials, quality of workmanship, level of experience and could dictate your general level of satisfaction for years to come.

CONTACT us today for any of the services we discuss in this blog. We specialize in luxury concrete finishing, resurfacing, and concrete repairs in Kelowna and the Okanagan. Contact us for a free estimate or more details! 

Make sure to like us on Facebook to keep up to date with what we're up to!

Concrete Pool Deck Repair, Concrete Driveway Repair, Concrete Staining and Concrete Refinishing - by MODE CONCRETE in Kelowna BC

This is a modern contemporary home, located in West Kelowna. Mode Concrete was asked to come onsite & fix all the cracks on this concrete architectural wall. Read on to get the full story.

Properly maintaining, sealing, repairing, and protecting your concrete will increase the longevity of your concrete and resale value of your home. Many times when new or existing concrete cracks or needs a repair, our clients are discouraged because they aren't aware of the many options available. They usually assume the worst, and think that replacing the concrete is the best option. Concrete naturally shifts, moves and cracks with environmental changes and with age. Easily repaired, patched, or filled, these cracks are usually only cosmetic and not structural or unsafe (but every project is different). 

We can help talk you through all the options available to you depending on the state of the concrete. We can stain the concrete, disguise cracks and patch any deteriorated areas. There are so many options available, we can walk you through the entire process. We always stay within the original estimated price and on schedule (weather permitting... we live in the mountains afterall!).

For this client (pictured above) we were able to color match the concrete perfectly and fill all the cracks / chips.  We then applied a matte sealer on the walls, to make sure there was a protective barrier on the concrete before the homeowners moved in.

MODE CONCRETE specializes in high end decorative concrete applications, concrete sealing, concrete restoration and concrete crack repairs.  We have been trusted by many people in the Okanagan for their custom concrete needs over the years.  We only use high quality products and whether you have a concrete repair, or you want your aged concrete refinished and rejuvenated, MODE CONCRETE can help.  

We service the Okanagan and always make sure our customers love us, and refer us to their friends. If  you want to hire the best artisan concrete contractor, contact MODE CONCRETE for a new level of service and customer satisfaction. Owners Gareth Tyrrell and Cindy Manchur work directly with all of our clients.

Concrete Driveway Pros and Cons - by Mode Concrete in Kelowna BC

Concrete has been a popular choice for driveways and architecture throughout history, for excellent reason. Concrete is durable, requires little maintenance, gives great longevity and is easily repaired. Not only do concrete driveways provide great curb appeal, a properly installed concrete driveway can last 20 years longer than other materials, with minimal maintenance or repair costs.

Concrete Driveway Basics

• Cost: Concrete is more expensive than gravel and asphalt driveways, but is less expensive than pavers or natural stone (like brick or cobblestone).  On average, $5 to $10 per square foot, depending on site conditions and preparation.  Extras that can be added on; various finishes, colored concrete, staining, sealing, pattern cutting, seams. 
• Durability: 25-50 years or longer with proper care and installation.
• Maintenance: Sweeping and pressure washing when needed. Chemicals may be needed to remove stains, oil or tire marks. Sealing is usually required every few years. 
• Additional options: Driveways may be stained different colors, personalized or poured into any pattern you desire.  Do you want a fancy exposed concrete surface, a stamped concrete surface, or budget-friendly broom finished?  Circles, squares, cut lines, seaming and tiles, planters, retaining walls, or any customization can be designed to compliment the design and functionality of your driveway.  

Concrete Driveway Pros

• Durable.
• Requires little maintenance.
• Gives great longevity and has a longer life than other driveway options.
• Concrete is easily repaired.
• Looks amazing.
• Unlimited color options.
• Snow removal is easy on concrete.
• Anti slip additives can be added onto surfaces.

Concrete Driveway Cons

• Initial cost is more than other options, but your get more longevity out of your investment.
• Requires yearly maintenance, in most climates.  
• As you consider concrete driveways costs, factor in the cost of sealing it every 1-3 years.

Concrete Driveway Repair and Maintenance 

• To extend the life of concrete, you’ll want to keep it well-maintained. The first thing to do is to have it sealed after your concrete driveway is poured, usually within the first month or two after it is fully cured. Concrete sealer cost is not cheap but this final stage will vastly improve the durability of the driveway. Expect to pay $0.50 to $0.85 per square foot for one application or coating of sealer (which usually includes the cost of pressure washing the surface).  Anti slip additives or repairing chips and cracks can increase this cost a little. 
• Sealers will keep your concrete protected from moisture and protect any tiny cracks. Without a protective sealer, moisture will penetrate the cracks and freeze in very cold weather which may increase the size of any cracks or chips.
• You may want to seal your driveway annually if your driveway is exposed to lots of moisture or freeze and thaw conditions to maintain the protective barrier of sealer between the elements and your concrete surface.  
• Not all driveway sealers are alike (even those in the same product category), and no driveway sealer will last forever. Depending on the type of products used and exposure conditions, a sealer should last anywhere from 1 to 3 years. 
• If you have a sealer buildup on the surface from multiple sealer applications over the years, stripping the sealers may be required periodically.  We would recommend stripping your concrete if your sealer is flaking in spots, holes are developing, you have a cloudy appearance throughout the sealer, there are dull spots, blistering or bubbles.  The best way to assess any of these symptoms, is to call a concrete sealing professional in your area to come check out the situation in person.  Stripping sealers is a messy process and can either be done chemically or mechanically.  
• Be careful with concrete driveway salt, this may create a chemical reaction and eat away at your sealers and stains.  Read the labels of any products you use, or reapply sealers every year if you are using driveway salt regularly.  
• Concrete naturally shifts, moves and cracks with environmental changes and with age. Easily repaired, patched, or filled, these cracks are usually only cosmetic and not structural or unsafe (but every project is different). An experienced concrete contractor should easily be able to assess your project, give you options, show you samples and work with you to achieve the results you desire.  A concrete professional can help talk you through all the options available to you depending on the state of the concrete and your budget.

When you hire Mode Concrete, you hire a professional contractor that always stays on budget and on schedule!  From the moment you hire Mode Concrete, you'll notice why our clients give us amazing referrals and recommendations, every time.  Contact us today for more information about our services. 

References:

• Concrete Driveways: Poring Over the Pros and Cons - Houzz http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2459366/list/Concrete-Driveways--Poring-Over-the-Pros-and-Cons
• 2012 Concrete Driveway Cost Guide for Repair or Replacement - Driveway Guide http://www.drivewayguide.com/guides/cost-of-concrete-driveway-repairs-and-replacement/
• Pros and Cons of a Concrete Driveway - About.com http://garages.about.com/od/buildingagarage/a/Pros-And-Cons-Of-A-Concrete-Driveway.htm