Painting a Concrete Floor or Patio in 10 Steps

Having a patio professionally installed by concrete services offers a lot of advantages. Concrete is a durable material, meaning that you will be able to make the most of your outdoor living space for many years to come. On the other hand, if you intend to sell your home in the foreseeable future, making the outdoor living space more comfortable by adding a patio can greatly increase your home's value, giving you a good return on investment.

Nevertheless, some homeowners are wary about installing a concrete patio because they don't think it is very attractive. However, this is something you can remedy by having the patio painted. Painting an outdoor patio is not the same as painting interior walls, so it is important to follow the steps carefully to attain the best result.

1. Choose the Right Paint or Stain

When you decide to paint or stain your patio, choose a product intended specifically for concrete. Otherwise, it won't work. Some paints or stains will specifically say that they are for concrete on the packaging. Masonry paint, also known as elastomeric paint, is acceptable because it also works on concrete.

Concrete paint needs sealant to protect it and keep it from fading. Some stains have sealant included as an ingredient, but if you choose one without, you have to purchase and apply the sealant separately.

2. Gather Your Tools

A concrete surface has a lot of little nooks and crannies, and if you don't get the paint down into them, your paint job will look shabby and incomplete. A sprayer can cover the surface evenly and also gives you the option of using stencils to make pretty designs. You can also use high-capacity brushes or rollers to paint a concrete surface. Just be sure that the roller isn't too smooth. It needs to be a little rough to get down into all the little spaces and gaps.

3. Make Sure the Surface Is Dry

Moisture affects the ability of a paint or stain to adhere to the concrete surface. Therefore, you not only have to make sure that the surface is completely dry before painting but that it remains so for at least 24 hours beforehand. This means watching the weather forecast to time your paint job to a dry period.

If you have a concrete floor inside your home that you would like to paint, you can follow most of these same steps. Keeping the floor dry for the required amount of time should be easier because it is not exposed to outdoor weather conditions as a patio is.

4. Repair the Concrete as Needed

If there are any uneven areas or cracks in your patio, repair these before painting by using special concrete caulk sealant. Before applying any other products, let the caulk dry for at least 24 hours and then remove any extra residue by using a scrub brush. If your patio currently has coatings, these should be removed prior to painting.

5. Clean the Patio

Remove surface debris by using a leaf blower or a broom. Grease or oil stains can be removed using a concrete degreaser. Any remaining dirt or growth, such as moss or fungus, can be removed using a pressure washer.

6. Apply Concrete Paint Primer

Primer is a bonding agent that helps the paint to adhere to the surface so that the paint doesn't wear away. This is especially important for a patio or floor that sees heavy foot traffic. If there are surfaces that you do not intend to paint, cover these with tape before you apply the primer and keep the tape in place until you finish painting.

7. Apply Two Coats With Time To Dry in Between

You should apply two coats of paint to your patio, but before applying the second, you should allow the first to dry for up to 12 hours.

8. Prevent Slipping

The painted concrete surface could become slippery, especially when wet. To provide some traction, include a slip-resistant additive with the second coat.

9. Apply Sealant if Needed

If your concrete paint includes color and sealant in one, you can skip this step. Otherwise, you should add sealant if you want your paint job to last, and after all the time and effort you have invested in it, you probably do. Wait to apply the sealant until the second coat of paint has dried for at least 24 hours.

10. Allow Time for Everything To Dry

The patio should be allowed to dry completely for up to 48 hours after applying the sealant or the last coat of paint before using or walking on it. If it isn't possible to give the patio 48 hours to dry, at least give it 24.

Painting a concrete patio or floor is a project that takes a lot of time, but the end result is worth it. For more information about how to hire concrete services to install a new patio, contact us at 707-318-4430.