Our previous installment in this series on protecting concrete from common products focused on beer and other brews. It only makes sense that we’d follow that up with wine, as wine can also pose a danger to your concrete floor. We simply didn’t want to mix beer and wine in the same article!
The fermentation of grape juice has a documented history going back thousands of years. California has a strong reputation for high-quality wines, often coupled with other “farm to fork” products in Sacramento and elsewhere. Many California wines have even earned respect from competitors overseas. But ask any vintner or wine connoisseur and they can tell you about one component of wine that makes for trouble with concrete over the long-term. What is it?
Wine Contains Acid
Grape juice contains citric, tartaric and malic acids. These acids are not extracted during the fermentation process. In fact, other steps in wine making commonly introduce additional acids into the final product. Although white wines are generally more acidic than red wines, both have the potential to create concrete corrosion.
The problem lies with the porous nature of concrete. Tiny holes and perforations in concrete shelter spilled acid, so it continues its destructive work unseen, despite cleanup efforts. In time, you might see cracks and discolorations from leaching minerals or rusted steel bars within the concrete floor. A concrete floor that loses its integrity is no place for the placement, storage or transport of heavy items, especially when it all represents a significant investment.
Keeping Wine Away From Concrete
The best solution for stopping the acids in wine from compromising concrete is to have West Coast Epoxy install a protective coating. We seal concrete with barriers that acids and water cannot penetrate, keeping concrete floors solid and stable. Along with protecting your concrete floor, we offer valuable additions. We can add colors or patterns to your taste, even complementing a work area with winery logos or adding safety and informational striping. Non-slip topcoats increase the level of safety in the event of spills and while cleaning. Coved flooring is a great option to make sure any fluids are contained to the work area floor and don’t seep into the walls.
West Coast Epoxy can help when you simply want better protection and appearance for the concrete in your wine cellar, winery, or tasting area. We offer free consultations, so request one here on our website. Or if you prefer, give us a call. We are happy to discuss your concrete concerns!