Stain colors a slab you already have. In Gonzales we stain covered patios, porches, carports and indoor floors, and we wait for the slab to be dry because damp clay keeps concrete wet for days. You see a test patch on your own slab before we go ahead.
Staining adds color to concrete that is already in place. Around Gonzales we stain covered patios, porches, carports and the slab floors of houses and shops. There are two families of product. Acid stains react with the concrete and give mottled earth tones. Water-based stains and dyes give a wider and more even range of color. Either one is see-through, so the slab's history shows: patches, old glue lines, even the ghost of a rug.
Preparation is most of the job. Sealer, paint, curing compound, tile glue and oil all block stain, and each has to be removed. We test a small area first so you see the true color on your slab, not on a brochure. Outdoor slabs here also need to be dry. After a rainy week the clay keeps a slab damp for days, and stain or sealer applied over damp concrete turns cloudy or peels.
The sealer is what you maintain. Outdoors, sun and rain wear it down, and it needs a fresh coat every few years. We choose sealers that let moisture vapor escape, because of the wet ground. Indoors a floor finish or wax over the sealer takes the foot traffic. Stained floors are slippery when sealed glossy, so for a porch or pool-side patio we add grit.
Concrete staining in Gonzales: common questions
Can you stain the house slab after pulling up flooring?
Often, yes. The glue has to be ground or stripped off first, and nail holes and patches will show through the color. Many people like that worn look. We do a sample so you can decide before the whole floor is done.
Why did my stained patio turn white under the sealer?
Moisture is trapped beneath it. That happens when sealer goes on too thick, or onto a damp slab, or in very humid weather. It is fixed by stripping or re-dissolving the sealer and applying thin coats when the slab is dry.
How do I choose between stain and stamped concrete?
Stain colors a slab you already have and changes nothing about its shape or texture. Stamping is done on fresh concrete only. If your slab is sound, stain is the smaller job.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We visit and measure.
- Written quote: Clear pricing with finish options.
- Prep & forms: We excavate, grade, compact the base and set forms and reinforcement.
- Pour, finish & cure: We pour, finish, cut control joints and tell you when you can use it.