| Slip and fall accidents are very common and one | | | | without running. Rolling on means the gels follow |
| of the most litigated. Sidewalks can be | | | | the contours of the surface. The result is |
| problematic as well as any exterior concrete | | | | consistency with an even profile and measurable |
| surface. Mold and algae buildup plus a smooth or | | | | non slip surface. |
| extremely worn surface can become slippery | | | | The only other options are to sandblast or use a |
| especially when wet. There are a few solutions | | | | shotblaster both with their shortcomings. |
| for increasing the slip resistance but not all are | | | | Gels Work As A Cleaner Removing Slippery Mold |
| feasible. Etching concrete surfaces with a gel acid | | | | and Mildew |
| may be the best solution. | | | | Etching concrete with a gel is one part of the |
| Why A Gelled Acid Is The Best Solution | | | | equation when creating a non slip surface, |
| A gelled acid is a fairly new type of product that | | | | removing mold and mildew is another. Over time |
| resulted in advancements in Gel Technology. | | | | moisture gets into the pores of concrete turning |
| Simply it is an acid contained in a gel. Muriatic and | | | | into a slippery algae before fully drying. This |
| hyrochloic acids which are very similar have been | | | | happens particularly in areas shaded by trees, |
| used for years to etch concrete surfaces. They | | | | walls or buildings. Some areas of concrete can |
| work for etching and cleaning but with significant | | | | almost turn black from mold and algae. When |
| drawbacks. | | | | these areas get wet they become a serious |
| In liquid form the most common issue is the | | | | hazard and unsafe. |
| danger factor. Acids can be extremely unsafe and | | | | As a mold and algae cleaner the acid works only |
| very difficult to use. The biggest issue is how to | | | | at the interface of the concrete pulling algae out |
| get them from a container to the surface and | | | | then capturing in the gel. Algae and mold do not |
| apply with control and consistency. Almost like a | | | | have a chance to flow back into the concrete like |
| hammer without a handle, it just doesn't work. | | | | with a water solution. Think of the gels as a |
| The solution has been to mix with water but that | | | | carrier of rust, dirt, algae and mold. |
| dilutes the effectiveness not to mention the lack | | | | Concrete stairs are one of the victims since they |
| of control and inconsistency of application even | | | | are shaded by the vertical portion of the stairs. |
| with a pump sprayer. | | | | The beauty of using a gel is that the flat |
| Gelled acids come in defined amounts, are very | | | | horizontal and vertical part of a concrete step can |
| easy to control and safe. They are the | | | | be etched and cleaned with total control. Once the |
| consistency of a shampoo and are simply rolled | | | | algae is removed the concrete looks brand new |
| on the surface using a 3/8 inch nap roller. Cleanup | | | | and can be sealed for long term protection. |
| is with a rubber squeegee and wet vac. The | | | | Gels to acid are effectively like a handle to a |
| residue is water soluable with some that are | | | | hammer. They are a specialized innovation that |
| ASTM certified with little if any VOC's and sewer | | | | are solving a substantial slip and fall issue on |
| safe. When rolled on they go only where applied | | | | sidewalks worldwide. |