Concrete tilt-up surface prep and painting.
Painters USA knows the potential “gotchas” that could cause problems when cleaning and coating concrete tilt-up walls.
Painters USA knows the potential “gotchas” that could cause problems when cleaning and coating concrete tilt-up walls.
Table of Contents
Concrete tilt-up walls can be painted like any other wall, but with some special considerations and appropriate products, especially for exteriors. Otherwise building owners / managers may find that the fresh paint begins peeling or blistering soon after application or experience other performance and durability issues. Commercial painting contractors with tilt-up experience and understanding of the right coating products, like Painters USA, will ensure the best outcomes, because doing it right always saves time and money in the long run.
Tilt-up construction process and benefits
Often used for warehouses, distribution centers, and big-box retail stores, tilt-up construction has become a popular building option because it saves time and money. It's basically a two-step process in which concrete panels are cast horizontally in a mold and then lifted or tilted with a crane. Panels can be produced in different sizes and shapes, including curved sections. Tilt-up construction also leaves a smaller environmental footprint, and often the walls can be recycled, if and when the building comes down.
Common tilt-up surface issues
Painters USA understands the characteristics of Tilt-Up concrete. This allows us to determine the best paints and coatings for any situation, and to apply them properly.
The surfaces of new tilt-up concrete walls usually have residue from bond breakers used in the casting process, which interferes with coating adhesion. Painters USA will thoroughly clean this residue and other contaminants that cause paint to blister and peel.
According to Portland Cement Association, corrosion of embedded metals like reinforcing steel is the top cause of deterioration in concrete slabs. Painters USA has rust control expertise to help protect your tilt-up buildings.
This whitish, powdered layer of salts can happen on any concrete surface that isn’t well-maintained or protected. Painters USA will thoroughly clean areas of efflorescence and apply the right products to prevent future issues.
Cracks in tilt-up walls can be construction-related, shrinkage-related, or happen with time and the effects of rain or improper cleaning. Painters USA will inspect for cracks and offer recommendations based on what we find.
Prepping, Priming and Painting
Every commercial or industrial painting project involves the “3 P’s” of prepping, priming, and painting. Neglecting any one of them creates a weak link that can show up and cause issues very quickly.
Prepping
Having worked on numerous tilt-up buildings in many different environments across the country, Painters USA will determine the best cleaning methods and repairs with the right high-strength mortars and non-shrink grouts. Commercial painting project that skip or shortcut this step are bound to fail, costing more time and money to fix or redo.
Priming
Painters USA uses quality, acrylic-based masonry sealers and primers on all exterior concrete tit-up walls for moisture protection. Water penetration contributes to rusting of embedded metal, efflorescence, and other issues. Acrylic masonry primers and sealers are designed for the alkalinity of fresh concrete, and they are water and stain repellent for long term protection from the elements.
Painting
Poor surface preparation and the wrong paint for exterior masonry surfaces are the likely culprits of paint blistering, peeling, and other types of degradation. It’s important to balance cost and performance and use only quality, acrylic-based paints, which offer the necessary water resistance. Alternative paints may have compounds that decompose in reaction to moisture. Painters USA will always recommend the best products to help you reach the right balance.
Maintaining Tilt-Up buildings
Tilt-up construction is generally low-maintenance, but low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance. Painters USA will protect the visual appeal and structural integrity of your tilt-up assets with one-stop-shopping for expert cleaning, priming, and painting of exterior and interior surfaces.
Painters USA recommendations
Power Washing before painting and in-between for routine maintenance:Professional power washing can both refresh a building and remove contaminants that shorten it’s lifespan.
Caulking: We use 10, 20, and 30-year caulks, each designed for maximum weather protection and prevention of moisture intrusion. Brittle or missing caulk opens the door to a host of bigger issues.
Painting: New paint looks fantastic and also provides a first line of defense against water, wind, UV damage, and other destructive forces.
Other commercial and industrial painting services
Painters USA has extensive experience working on concrete tilt-up construction, and we're a one-stop shop for cleaning and painting services. From bar-joist ceilings to repairing forklift damage to sealing and polishing concrete floors, there isn’t much we can’t do! Our team carries all of the necessary training, certifications, and credentials to complete projects of all sizes, on time and on budget.
Painters USA for all your commercial painting needs
Our decades of experience, growth, and customer satisfaction speak for themselves, plus we deliver these additional benefits to every job we do:
- Commitment to our values, including accountability, integrity and safety.
- Efficient work processes to get our work done on time, with little to no disruption to your workers or your operations.
- National account management for single vendor convenience.
- Coverage from centrally-located offices in Illinois and Texas.
- Certified by WBENC as a woman-owned business.