Whether for home or business, a safe and attractive entryway makes a lasting impression.
Mark Maciejewski, the owner of Milwaukee Sausage Company, recently utilized a series of Abatron products in making repairs to the front steps that serve as the primary entryway to his new store front. The concrete was well worn from years of use, exposure to moisture, and the changes in weather. Mark knew that Abatron could provide him with the concrete restoration products that would make this entryway safe, stable and much more inviting to his customers. Here is a step-by-step look at how the transformation occurred, the products and tools that were used, and how easy it is to achieve incredible results. The project was also captured on video which can be viewed on Abatron’s YouTube channel here.
1. Surface preparation. The steps were thoroughly cleaned using a power washer. Once they were dry, any existing caulk or adhesive residue that remained from prior repairs was removed.
Next, thin cracks and small fissures were widened using a grinder to allow for filling with Abocrete™, an epoxy compound for filling, patching and resurfacing. The large gap located between the step and the riser was stuffed with foam backer rod to keep Aboweld 55-1™ epoxy repair compound in place. All of the surfaces were thoroughly swept and vacuumed to ensure that any dust or small bits of loose concrete wouldn’t interfere with the epoxy adhesion.
2. Patch and fill the concrete. The first product applied was Aboweld 55-1™ – a structural, slump-resistant paste used for patching on vertical surfaces without forms or molds. Aboweld 55-1 can be smoothed out by applying small amounts of Abosolv® to the surface with a putty knife or a gloved hand before it hardens. By doing this, sanding or grinding of the cured epoxy can be kept to a minimum. Some of the cavities in the concrete were deep enough that they required a second application of Aboweld after the first layer hardened.
Next, the gap between the sidewalk and the step riser was filled with BestBond® Joint Sealant. BestBond JS maintains moderate flexibility even after curing, allowing for some movement in areas that are likely to shift or settle.
After applying BestBond, another batch of Aboweld 55-1 was mixed and applied over the existing Aboweld 55-1 layer in the most severe areas until they were flush with the concrete.
Finally, Abocrete™ mixed with sand was applied to fill in gaps and holes in horizontal surfaces. The mixing stick served double-duty as an Abocrete applicator for the larger holes on the sidewalk. For cracks, a plastic applicator bottle was used to dispense Abocrete for precise filling.
Once the patching was completed, the epoxies were left to cure overnight.
3. Smooth the surface. Excess cured epoxy was removed by grinding and sanding. After a thorough sweeping and vacuuming, the surrounding areas were taped-off to protect them from inadvertent contact with the coatings.
4. Coating. Primkote 8006-1™, a clear all-purpose epoxy primer, was applied to promote adhesion of Abocrete to the porous concrete. Primkote also seals concrete and aids in water and weather resistance.
After the Primkote hardened, a thick coating of brick red Abocrete™ was applied – this time without mixing in sand as a thickening agent. It rolls on easily, just like paint.
Next, rustic red Color Grit™ was immediately broadcast onto the wet Abocrete. Color Grit is a quartz sand that can be added to Abocrete to provide color, texture, and slip resistence. By completely covering the Abocrete with Color Grit, we added beauty and safety to the project.
After about three hours the Abocrete was hard. The steps were swept and vacuumed to remove excess sand.
The results are striking! This concrete step repair project is a great example of how beautiful, permanent repairs can be made with Abatron’s easy-to-use products. To see a video of the step-by-step details showing how this project was carried out, visit our Abatron YouTube channel. To learn more about each of the products that we used, visit www.abatron.com.
