Tips to clean stains from your stone fireplace

Cleaning your stone fireplace can seem like a difficult task. 

For this reason, At South Atlantic Masonry and Concrete Contractor located in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia, we give you this tips to clean your Stone Fireplace:

Add salt to the fire

Many people say that if you throw salt on the fire, the soot stains around the stone fireplace will disappear. However, sometimes it is possible that the stains are so stuck that they do not disappear with this treatment, in this case you will need to dedicate more time and money for cleaning.

Clean regularly

The more often you clean, the less soot deposits will be and the easier it will be to clean them. If you brush the soot off the chimney with a soft cleaning brush once a week, the soot will not have time to solidify and will fall easily.

Do not use household cleaners

If the soot has turned into an ugly and hard stain on the chimney, remember that the smoke stains are carbon deposits so they are greasy. For no reason use bleach, as it can discolor stone fireplaces. Other household chemicals can mix with the soot to form stains that are even more difficult to remove than the original stain. The first thing you should do is clean your stone fireplace with a hard brush and hot water.

Trisodium phosphate: The last resort

If water and a hard brush do not work, you may have to use trisodium phosphate. It is a dangerous chemical and you should take the proper precautions. If it is possible to hire professional help, if you decide to do it yourself, wear protective goggles, a mask and gloves and make sure that the floors and furniture are covered so that the chemical does not damage them.

Please contact us today to find out how South Atlantic Masonry and Concrete Contractor located in Peachtree City, Atlanta Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia can help you renovate or create the best place for your home. 

For more information in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia call us: (678) 628-9987 

Please visit us: www.southatlanticmasonry.com

Tips to maintain your stone patio

Remember to always check and regularly maintain your stone patio, otherwise, your patio may begin to deteriorate and then fix it will cost much more, in this post we want to share a couple of tips to keep your stone patio in top condition.

At South Atlantic Masonry and Concrete Contractor located in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia, we give you five tips to help you maintain your stone patio in good shape:

Tip 1: Avoid the growth of weeds
Preventing is less expensive than repairing, therefore, it is much better if you keep your stone patio clean and healthy before it is damaged. When it is being built it is being built, it should protect the yard against weeds by using a soil sterilizer and a weed filter mesh. If they did not do it that way and now you notice that the weeds grow in your yard, you can get rid of them by applying an aerosol herbicide or by pulling them manually.

Tip 2: Keep the stone patio clean
You can also keep your stone patio by applying sealer or polisher on its surface once every 3 years. Regularly clean the patio with a pressure washer or scrub brush. In this way you can remove dirt and stains from which it is difficult to get rid of.


However, if you notice that your stone patio is dirty, and the dirt is easy to remove, rinse the stone surface of the patio with a water hose. In this way, not only will you clean your stone patio, but it will also improve your appearance. These simple cares will not only help you look prettier, but also help you to last longer.

Please contact us today to find out how South Atlantic Masonry and Concrete Contractor located in Peachtree City, Atlanta Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia can help you renovate or create the best place for your home. 

For more information in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia call us: (678) 628-9987 

Please visit us: www.southatlanticmasonry.com

The best way to mantain a stone wall

A landscape stone wall adds a special aspect to your garden. That is why it is important to clean and maintain the wall properly so that it does not lose its beauty. Stone walls usually wear out over time and need cleaning. Also, if you decide to paint the wall one day, you will need a good wash before you can apply the paint. There are many ways to clean a stone wall. 

At  South Atlantic Masonry and Concrete Contractor located in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia, we give you some tips that you can keep in mind to maintain and clean your stone wall, we are professionals:

1. Preparation:

Before starting to wash the wall, remove any foreign element on the stone wall with a hammer or using an air compressor.

2. Pressure washing:

You can rent, borrow or buy a pressure washer to get the job done. When you are ready to start, turn on the pressure washer and move away from the surface of the wall so you can test and see how the washer works before you begin work. As you get used to it, you can get close to the wall to be sure to do a thorough cleaning.

The best way to clean a stone wall with a pressure washer is to start at the top of a section of the wall. The best method is to make a continuous movement, slowly traveling along the wall towards the bottom of the stone.

After finishing washing the stone wall, back off to apply less pressure to the wall and travel the entire wall a second time. Washing the wall again will remove any remaining surface. Start at the top and move the water jet down as you move along the wall.

While cleaning the wall, check the points that still need cleaning after the second wash. If certain areas are very dirty, use a strong circular motion to remove the debris. After finishing a section of the wall, continue doing the same, moving section by section until the entire wall has been cleaned.

3. Using the garden hose:

The stone walls are usually covered with sand and dust that must be removed to make the wall look beautiful. If you do not want to use a pressure washer, or the wall is not extremely dirty, you can simply use a garden hose to wet the wall and then clean the debris with a stiff brush. After scrubbing, simply spray the surface with water several times to remove dirt and dust. You may need to scrub and rinse several times before the wall is completely clean.

Please contact us today to find out how South Atlantic Masonry and Concrete Contractor located in Peachtree City, Atlanta Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia can help you renovate or create the best place for your home. 

For more information in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia call us: (678) 628-9987 

Please visit us: www.southatlanticmasonry.com

8 Tips for Maintaining and Cleaning your Stone Fireplace

A stone fireplace is one of the best improvements in the house. To keep things safe, clean the fireplace regularly and know that it is well built. 

At  South Atlantic Masonry and Concrete Contractor located in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia, we give you some tips that you can keep in mind to maintain and clean your fireplace: 

- Before cleaning the fireplace, first verify the key areas of the chimney.

- The lintel, which is the steel bar that supports the top of the opening up to the first combustible, should be at least 12 inches high.

- The bricks need to be inspected. Regular bricks can't tolerate the higher temperatures that firebricks are able to tolerate. The regular brick will begin to crack and the mortar will crumble.

- If you clean your own fireplace, the ashes and creosote can be sprinkled on flower beds, since they are a source of calcium and other nutrients.

- During cleaning, the damper should be checked for correct positioning, ensuring energy conservation and fireplace safety.

- With the vacuum running, a stiff brush is used to clean the fireplace walls. The damper ledge should always be cleaned, since creosote dust builds up there also.

- Trees that overhang the chimney should be trimmed back; falling branches could cause damage to the chimney.

- The outside of the chimney should be checked for obstructions and wear.

Please contact us today to find out how South Atlantic Masonry and Concrete Contractor located in Peachtree City, Atlanta Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia can help you renovate or create the best place for your home. 

For more information in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia call us: (678) 628-9987 

Please visit us: www.southatlanticmasonry.com

How to protect your Stone Patio during Winter

Stone patios, driveways and walkways have to stand up to a lot of abuse over the winter. Frost heave, errant snow shovels, and corrosive deicing products can all damage these hard surfaces. However, with careful installation and regular maintenance, you can avoid problems and keep your landscape looking good for years to come.

At South Atlantic Masonry and Concrete Contractor located in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia, we give you five tips to help you maintain your stone patio in good shape:

1. Fill cracks or holes:

Water can get into cracks or holes and break apart your pathway when it expands during a frost. You can use asphalt to seal cracks in the driveway.

2. Keep it level:

Each year, check to make sure your pavers, stone and concrete are still level and don't have any edges sticking up that could catch on a snow shovel or plow, or worse, create a safety hazard.

3. Consider a sealant with grit:

A sealant containing grit creates a non-slip surface that is safer to walk on in inclement weather.

4. Use the right deicing products:

We recommend potassium chloride, magic salt, or straight sand as less-corrosive alternatives. Avoid rock salt in concrete or bluestone products as they are very aggressive and may deteriorate your materials quickly.

5. Don't use metal snow shovels:

The sharp edges of a metal snow shovel can scratch or ding pavers or decorative concrete. Instead, choose a shovel with a rubber blade edge, or use a mechanical broom which has soft bristles.

Please contact us today to find out how South Atlantic Masonry and Concrete Contractor located in Peachtree City, Atlanta Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia can help you renovate or create the best place for your home. 

For more information in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia call us: (678) 628-9987 

Please visit us: www.southatlanticmasonry.com

5 Tips to prepare your Fireplace for the cold season

Fireplaces are a great way to heat your home without spending too much on electricity. However, before you take your fireplace out of retirement for the winter, you have to make sure it is safe and ready to go. 

Before it gets too cold out, At South Atlantic Masonry and Concrete Contractor located in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia, we give you 5 tips to prepare your Fireplace for Winter:

1. Sweep the Fireplace:

You should hire a chimney sweep before you start using your fireplace at the beginning of winter. The National Fire Protection Association suggests that you have your chimney swept once a year to remove dangerous soot and debris.

2. Check for damages:

You need to check the chimney structure and lining for cracks, loose bricks, deterioration or missing mortar. You also want to take this time to make sure that your chimney is properly and securely attached to your house. Also, check for water damage, which can be harmful to the entire house.

3. Inspect gasket material:

Make sure to take care of the gasket sealing the door, the glass door itself, and the ash dump. It is important to inspect these pieces and replace them as necessary. If these aren’t working properly, your fire can get too much oxygen, which can create an over-fire condition.

4. Cap the Fireplace:

Your chimney should be properly capped in order to keep birds, rain, squirrels, leaves and other debris from entering. Make sure you replace or repair a damaged or missing cap.

5. Check the alarms:

It is very important that you make sure you replace the batteries of any smoke or carbon monoxide detectors. Be sure to test your alarms to make sure they are working properly.

Please contact us today to find out how South Atlantic Masonry and Concrete Contractor located in Peachtree City, Atlanta Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia can help you renovate or create the best place for your home. 

For more information in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia call us: (678) 628-9987 

Please visit us: www.southatlanticmasonry.com

2018 Stone walls Trends

At South Atlantic Masonry and Concrete Contractor located in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia, we give you four popular stone walls trends to add value to your home without spending a fortune:

1. Natural Stone

Natural stone is a popular and very multi-faceted material, which convinces from the Roman period with its excellent properties. It gives simple elegance and well-being and also ensures a practical use. Thanks to the possibilities of its creative diversity, natural stones are used both outdoors and in the living space. 

2. Industrial Concrete

The industrial trend has never been more popular. It's all about introducing industrial elements into a room to create a factorial look. Think brick walls, pendant lights, metal-framed furniture and, perhaps most iconically, concrete flooring. A concrete floor isn't openly available to everyone. Before you wheel in the cement mixer, consider using Concrete Effect Tiles to create the base for your industrial scheme.

3. Texture

Nobody wants to stare at a plain, smooth surface in 2018. So if you have a prominent wall or floor space in your room, why not inject interest by adding some texture? Textured surfaces are growing in popularity month by month. When it comes to textured tiles, slate split face tiles are king. Made from natural slate, they consist of strips of different widths and depths that have been bonded together to create a staggered, multi-levelled surface. Use them to create a textured feature wall in your kitchen, living area, bedroom, dining area or bathroom.

4. Marvellous Marble

The natural look will continue to strive through 2018. Why is the idea of 'bringing the outdoors in' so popular? Because it helps us feel closer to nature - and, thus, more relaxed and at ease in our homes. That's why natural stones are most frequently used in the bathroom, which is the space where we like to unwind after a hard day at work. Out of all the stone types to choose from, marble is the most sought after; probably for its characterful veining. Again, whilst natural marble can be costly and requires ongoing treatment and maintenance, marble effect tiles offer a hands-off and affordable alternative.

Please contact us today to find out how South Atlantic Masonry and Concrete Contractor located in Peachtree City, Atlanta Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia can help you renovate or create the best place for your home. 

For more information in Peachtree City, Atlanta, Newnan, Sharpsburg, and Senoia call us: (678) 628-9987 

Please visit us: www.southatlanticmasonry.com