Low-Cost Self-Cleaning Concrete and Stone Surfaces K. Cyrus Robinson armONx 1 June 2009.

Low-Cost Self-Cleaning Low-Cost Self-Cleaning Concrete and Stone SurfacesConcrete and Stone Surfaces

K. Cyrus RobinsonK. Cyrus Robinson

armONxarmONx

1 June 20091 June 2009

1 June 20091 June 2009 armONx Proprietary -- Use PursuantarmONx Proprietary -- Use Pursuant to Company Instructions to Company Instructions

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IntroductionIntroduction

• Concrete (or stone) is often Concrete (or stone) is often used aesthetically, but is:used aesthetically, but is:– PorousPorous

• Liquids penetrate and persistLiquids penetrate and persist– Mold, fungiMold, fungi

• Likely to stain deeply Likely to stain deeply

– Difficult to cleanDifficult to clean

• Dirty Surfaces are UglyDirty Surfaces are Ugly


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• Can we keep it clean?

• Concrete is everywhere– and easy to stain…


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• Stains (oils, foods, Stains (oils, foods, etc.) may spoil etc.) may spoil clean pavers’ clean pavers’ appearanceappearance


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• Roof tiles often become Roof tiles often become infested with moldinfested with mold


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• Some walls have had Some walls have had permanent ink dashed on thempermanent ink dashed on them


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IntroductionIntroduction• Good appearance requires care to Good appearance requires care to

maintain maintain – Pressure washing poured concretePressure washing poured concrete

• Does not remove deep stainsDoes not remove deep stains

– Replacing pavers/stoneReplacing pavers/stone• Takes some skillTakes some skill• Must be done each time these are stained Must be done each time these are stained • Must keep extra pavers/stone, perhaps for yearsMust keep extra pavers/stone, perhaps for years

– Pressure washing roof tiles (mold, fungi)Pressure washing roof tiles (mold, fungi)• Ladders; risk - costLadders; risk - cost


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1.1. Firstly, could we modify the porous Firstly, could we modify the porous surface of these materials to make it surface of these materials to make it less permeable?less permeable?

2.2. Secondly, could it “take care of itself,” Secondly, could it “take care of itself,” help help keepkeep itselfitself cleanclean to minimize to minimize maintenance?maintenance?

– Could the surface spontaneously remove Could the surface spontaneously remove new soils, or “new soils, or “self-cleanself-clean?”?”


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Introduction: Use a Sealer?Introduction: Use a Sealer?• Many Sealers available:Many Sealers available:

DESIRED TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS (N = BAD):

VARIOUS TYPES Oil Resistant?Prevents

Crack/Peel?Resists

Efflorescence?

Color: Remains Same?

Good Grip

When Wet?

Stops Chloride

Ions?Durable?

Resistant to UV rays?

Self-Cleaning?

Wax/Oil Sealers N N N N N Y N N NWaterproofing Paints & Coatings N N N N N Y N N N

Cementitious Slurry Y N N N Y N N Y NCrystalline Sealers Y Y N N Y N N Y N

Silane Sealers Y Y N N N Y N N NSiloxane Sealers Y Y N N N Y N N NPolyester Sealers Y Y Y N N Y Y Y N

Epoxy Sealers Y Y Y N N Y Y Y NSilicate Treatments Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y N


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Introduction: Use a sealer?Introduction: Use a sealer?

• Note, Note, no existing sealers are “Self-no existing sealers are “Self-Cleaning”Cleaning”

• Is this dual “Self-Cleaning”/Sealing Is this dual “Self-Cleaning”/Sealing action obtainable?action obtainable?– At a reasonable cost?At a reasonable cost?– With a single, durable application? With a single, durable application?


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SolutionSolution• Our treatmentOur treatment makes these materials makes these materials

persistently persistently self-cleaningself-cleaning, with the , with the natural action of the elementsnatural action of the elements– Low cost (cents/sqft)Low cost (cents/sqft)– DurableDurable– Not a film or membrane - cannot bubble, Not a film or membrane - cannot bubble,

crack or delaminatecrack or delaminate– No significant change in appearance, No significant change in appearance,

nor slippery when wetnor slippery when wet


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Data: Data: Test MethodTest Method

1.1. Treat concrete pavers, poured concrete Treat concrete pavers, poured concrete and stone of variable quality & color and stone of variable quality & color

2.2. Drip same volume of Drip same volume of usedused engine oilengine oil onto treated and untreated samplesonto treated and untreated samples

• According to According to EPAEPA, oil is: slow to degrade, , oil is: slow to degrade, insoluble, hazardous, contains heavy metalsinsoluble, hazardous, contains heavy metals

3.3. Document stain removal effectiveness Document stain removal effectiveness and cost and cost

http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/materials/usedoil/index.htm


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DataData• 6” x 6” 6” x 6” PaverPaver divided divided

into four quadrantsinto four quadrants

One coatTwo coats

No protection

Oil does not penetrate;it spreads out

Oil drops

Clear in two weeks’ time

Firstly: Later: Finally:


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DataData• PaversPavers (pictures taken before oil faded completely) (pictures taken before oil faded completely)

Depending on the material, two coats may work faster than one

Oilspreads

No protection

No protection

One coatTwo coats

One coatTwo coats


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DataData• Stone - TravertineStone - Travertine

Treated 3 areas Four Oil spots Clear, less than 10 days

Stained


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DataData

• Sand between pavers or stoneSand between pavers or stone– Stabilized (cemented)Stabilized (cemented)

•Rain does not dislodgeRain does not dislodge

– Weed germination impededWeed germination impeded•Less weed killers …Less weed killers …


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DataData• Poured ConcretePoured Concrete

Untreated Treated (one coat)

Two weeks elapsed


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DataData• Fading of Permanent Marker inkFading of Permanent Marker ink

– ““Accelerated weathering,” tough, opaque Accelerated weathering,” tough, opaque pigments erode & flake off fasterpigments erode & flake off faster

Untreated; little change

Treated; about 10% faded

Twenty Day Exposure

Day 0 Day 20


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DataData• Fading of Permanent Marker ink (cont’d)Fading of Permanent Marker ink (cont’d)

– Standard cleaning works better on treated, Standard cleaning works better on treated, impermeable surface; self-cleaning effect impermeable surface; self-cleaning effect continuescontinues

Much ink removed

Degreaser & detergent used

Day 0 Day 20

Remainder self-cleans


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DataData

• Flexible schedule to clean treated surfaces:Flexible schedule to clean treated surfaces:– Rinse off organics with water (within hours)Rinse off organics with water (within hours)– Use standard cleaners (within days)Use standard cleaners (within days)– Self-cleaning (within weeks)Self-cleaning (within weeks)


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DataData• Quick drying surface Quick drying surface

– Limits mold, fungiLimits mold, fungi

Treated

Untreated

Dry

Still Wet

10 minutesWet Surface


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DataData• Moldy decorative concrete curbing Moldy decorative concrete curbing

– Manually removed fungal growth (1”x2”)Manually removed fungal growth (1”x2”)•After two months’ hot, rainy season - no moldAfter two months’ hot, rainy season - no mold

Moldy area

Manually cleaned off mold, then

treated

Monthspass, no

mold

Painter’s tape


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DataData

• Roof Tile application Roof Tile application – Dual actionDual action discourages fungal discourages fungal

growth:growth:•Moisture quickly driesMoisture quickly dries

•Surface actively breaks down organicsSurface actively breaks down organics


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DataData

• Lower Quality materials perform like Lower Quality materials perform like Higher QualityHigher Quality– Subsurface durably modified at the Subsurface durably modified at the

molecular levelmolecular level


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DataData•Example: Paver

– Porous, lower-quality concrete paver with transmission oil pooled in the center

– Oil gone from treated area

Treated AreaUntreated Area

Twenty Day Exposure in Partial Shade


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DataData• What if the surface already has soaked-in, What if the surface already has soaked-in,

months-old organic contamination?months-old organic contamination?– Prepare surface as instructed, then treatPrepare surface as instructed, then treat– Treatment fades existing stains in driveway Treatment fades existing stains in driveway

below (~1’ x 2’), as well as new stainsbelow (~1’ x 2’), as well as new stains

Day 0 Day 10

Experiment is ongoing.

Day 28

New stain New stain fading

More new stains


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ConclusionConclusionThis Patent Pending Treatment:This Patent Pending Treatment:

• Is easy to useIs easy to use

• Does not change the appearance of the Does not change the appearance of the surface or make it slippery when wetsurface or make it slippery when wet

• Makes the surface durably impermeableMakes the surface durably impermeable– impedes stain or moisture penetration, as impedes stain or moisture penetration, as

well as efflorescencewell as efflorescence– permits vapor transmission permits vapor transmission


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• Is not a film or membraneIs not a film or membrane– cannot delaminate, crack or wear off cannot delaminate, crack or wear off

independently of the surfaceindependently of the surface

• Gently wGently works on driveways and orks on driveways and parking lots (engine oil), inks parking lots (engine oil), inks (graffiti), etc.(graffiti), etc.

• Is effective on roof tiles, Is effective on roof tiles, discouraging fungal growth discouraging fungal growth


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• Stabilizes (cements) the sand between Stabilizes (cements) the sand between pavers or stone and inhibits weeds from pavers or stone and inhibits weeds from germinating germinating

• Makes standard cleaning easier, since Makes standard cleaning easier, since soils do not penetrate soils do not penetrate

• Contains zero VOC’s Contains zero VOC’s

• Uses safer ingredients of proven reliabilityUses safer ingredients of proven reliability


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ConclusionConclusion

• Questions:Questions:– Contact: Contact:

•K Cyrus RobinsonK Cyrus Robinson

•[email protected]@armONx.com

•610.704.8795610.704.8795

mailto:[email protected]

Low-Cost Self-Cleaning Concrete and Stone Surfaces K. Cyrus Robinson armONx 1 June 2009.

Documents

armonx proprietary

mold slide

ugly slide

wet slide

clean pavers appearance

company instructions17

company instructions12

company instructions13