Bob Harris’ Guide to Concrete Overlays & Toppings

By: Bob Harris

Become an expert in concrete overlay and topping.

Learn from this practical instruction manual how to rejuvenate concrete floors, driveways, exterior flatwork, and even wall surfaces. Offer your customers beautiful alternatives to costly removal and replacement of old concrete.

Here you’ll find detailed application techniques for concrete on different surfaces, and how to select the most appropriate resurfacing system for each project. You’ll learn how to estimate materials, prep and prepare surfaces, repair cracks, and test for moisture-vapor transmission.

Step-by-step instructions are included for obtaining different finishes – including the use of stamping mats, stencils, spray-downs, micro-topping, scoring techniques, working with gelled acid, polishing, and applying stains, dyes, tints, and even selecting and applying the right sealer. Shows how to set up a mixing station and gives estimated curing times for many overlay jobs.

Provides proven marketing tips to get your overlay and topping business going. Includes Websites and addresses of manufacturers offering overlay and coating products.

Contents:

About the Author, 5

Introduction, 7

1 Choosing One System Over Another, 11

2 Finish and Texture Options, 15

3 Establishing Expectations with the Builder, Architect, and Owner, 18

4 Budget Analysis, 22

5 Writing a Fair Contract, 26

6 The Importance of Safety, 31

7 Site Conditions Affecting the Installation of Decorative Overlays, 35

8 Dealing with Moisture-Vapor Transmission, 38

9 Surface Preparation: Obtaining the Right Profile, 40

10 Repairing Cracks, 49

11 Estimating Materials, 52

12 Follow the Technical Data Sheets, 54
Photo Gallery, 56

13 Setting Up a Mixing Station, 67

14 Underlayments, 70

15 Self- Leveling Overlays, 72

16 Spray-Down Systems, 79

17 Microtoppings, 83

18 Stamped Overlays, 90

19 Vertical Stamped Overlays, 96

20 Adding Excitement with Color, 101

21 Sealing and Protecting Your Work, 105

22 Tools, Equipment, and Supplies, 109

23 Tips for Marketing Decorative Overlays, 114

Glossary, 118
Resources, 124

About the Author:

Bob Harris is known worldwide in the decorative concrete industry and is founder and president of the Decorative Concrete Institute in Douglasville, Georgia.

He has personally placed and/or supervised the placement of over 3 million square feet of decorative concrete, including work for some of the major Disney theme parks in Orlando, Florida.

He has conducted hands-on training seminars in architectural concrete in locations around the world, in addition to being a part of technical support, and research and development at a large decorative concrete manufacturer for almost a decade.

In addition to sharing his expertise with others through his involvement with numerous industry associations, Harris been a presenter at four consecutive World of Concrete Trade Shows. At the 2004 World Concrete Trade Show, Harris delivered four presentations on topics including: Acid Etch Staining, Sandblast Stencil Techniques, How to Get Started in Decorative Flatwork and Advanced Decorative Overlays. He also spoke at the 2004 World of Concrete Mexico Trade Show.

134 Pages - 8-1/2x 11 in.