Many people have sidewalks or some form of concrete walkway in their yards. While this is a great way to create a path to and from the street or garden, it can be a bit of an eyesore, especially if it has been worn down from the weather. It can be very costly to have the sidewalk redone or even more expensive to remove it. Instead, look for a better option and dress it up by adding some elegance to it.
You can do this by applying a staining kit. The application will only take a few hours, and before you know it, you will have a gorgeous sidewalk that your neighbors will envy.
Applying Your Stain Kit
Using a stain kit is easy and only requires a few simple steps. Make certain you read the manufacturer's instructions thoroughly before applying any product to your existing sidewalks or other concrete surfaces.
- Clean Your Surface. Cleaning is best done using a pressure washer or a high-velocity hose if you have one. The reason you want to clean your sidewalk or concrete surface first is so that your stain is applied directly to the concrete and not the dirt, mud or mildew that may have developed over time. Make sure your sidewalk or surface is completely dry before applying the stain.
- Apply the Stain. Most kits come with the materials you need to apply the product. These include the sprayer, the stain, a sealant, and gloves. Apply the stain using the sprayer or a roller brush, if you desire. In the kits, there are usually multiple colors to apply, so be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the look you want. Once you have finished using the stain, you can apply the sealant.
- Allow your Stain to Completely Dry. Complete drying is essential if you do not want to risk the quality and look of your surface. Each stain kit will have its own guidelines for drying times. Use caution when working on or around the concrete surface as they tend to be slippery when wet.
If you do not have a sidewalk, a stain kit is useful on many different concrete surfaces including a garage floor, a driveway or a concrete wall. The kits come in many different colors for you to choose from and add your personal touch to your home. Check your local hardware store for good stain kits for your sidewalks.
About the Author
Judy Szablak
With over 30 years in the industry, Realtor Judy Szablak has been on national television for her real estate expertise on the HGTV Network, featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio "Morning Living” , NPR radio as an expert real estate panelist, It’s Relevant News channel, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal for her in depth knowledge of Fairfield County Connecticut real estate.
She was also on the local NPR radio station (WSHU) as a Fairfield County CT real estate expert. Judy has provided multiple online respected news sources with her real estate expertise including The Daily Easton, The Daily Weston, The Daily Fairfield, The Daily Stamford and The Daily Greenwich, as well as in print in the New York Post. She is a weekly Real Estate Columnist for WestportNow.com, another real estate column "Real Estate With Judy” is syndicated through Hearst CT Media Online and seen in The Connecticut Post, The Danbury News-Times, The Stamford Advocate, The Greenwich Time, The Hour, Fairfield Citizen, Westport News, Darien News, New Canaan News and the Wilton Villager.
Judy is also the author of the book, The Art of Buying or Selling a Home, available at all major book retailers. Additionally, Judy has been nationally recognized in a number of national real estate trade magazines, some with distribution to over 1 million members. She was featured in Real Estate Today as early as 1994 for her commitment to, and implementation of technology in real estate. Judy appeared in the Certified Residential Specialist Magazine, as she provided advice on marketing strategies and ethics in the article titled "Marketing Makeovers.”
Judy was also featured in REALTOR® Magazine, regarding image enhancement for Realtors. She was again featured in REALTOR® Magazine, in an article on "Achieving Flow” and operating at optimal peak performance. In another article in the same publication, Judy offered guidance to fellow real estate professionals as she explored the topic of implementing and maintaining personal websites. She has appeared in The Council of Residential Specialists Magazine, which featured her ideas regarding technology. Additionally, Judy authored an article on marketing and technology for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Online Magazine. On two occasions, in 2015 and 2017, she appeared as a featured agent in Top Agent Magazine. I have a few other websites- www.TheCtrealtyBlog.com www.CtHomesAndRealEstate.com www.BestWestportHomes.com www.ThePetitePowerhouse.com www,SzablakConsulting.com
