Interesting facts about concrete—did you know?

• The first Concrete Street was poured in Bellefontaine Ohio?
• The first Concrete Skyscraper was built in Cincinnati Ohio?
• Next to water, concrete is the most utilized natural resource on Earth?
• The Coliseum in Rome was built using a form of Concrete called Pozzolana?
• One of the earliest recorded uses of Concrete is for a hut floor in the former Yugoslavia, dating from 5600 B.C.?
• Salt and water deteriorate more concrete, rock and stone than anything else? 

 

 

The Facts About Mold, Mildew and Algae 

·       Mold mildew and algae start out as microscopic spores that can attach themselves to virtually anything.  They are very simple organisms needing only moisture; protection from full sunlight (north side of building) and a food source (whatever they attach themselves to) for survival.

·       Once attached, the spores quickly grow as they begin eating the surface they have attached themselves to.  Short term damage may not be easy to spot; however any material can fade, crack, crumble, peel, flake, discolor and show other signs of degradation if left unchecked.  Concrete, brick, natural stone cement and untreated wood can be especially vulnerable.  The more porous the material, the faster and more destructive the process will be.

·       Most mold, mildew and algae can be treated and removed.

·       Mold, mildew and algae spores cannot attach themselves to a surface that has been sealed.

Cleaning asphalt shingles

--Emulsifiers and Surfactants:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant

--Efflorescence:   http://www.vseal.com/surfacedefects/efflorescence.php

 

For more information on sealing, please click:  Why seal concrete? 

--VOC’s:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatile_organic_compound