Even though there are fewer wineries than breweries in the Reno area, wine still has a significant place in the area. Any restaurant with a good choice in steak or seafood on the menu typically offers a variety of wines. That’s because pairing a good wine with good food enhances the meal, and this outcome has been known for millennia by people across the globe. The fermentation of grape juice goes back thousands of years – much like the brewing process of beer – and is also known for its medicinal, preservative, and nutritional qualities. But certain components of wine pose a gradual danger to untreated concrete floors.
Acid in Wine
By itself, grape juice contains citric, tartaric, and malic acids. The fermentation process does not remove those acids – in fact, some processes in making wine call for adding more acids to the mixture. Common pH measurements for most wines range between 2.5 and 4 pH. The human body deals with those acids successfully, when kept in moderation.
Concrete, however, is not as adaptable. Although concrete is a resilient and stable material, it is still vulnerable to the corrosive hydrogen ions introduced by the acids in wine. The acids add free hydrogens to the concrete, breaking apart its molecular structure and weakening its integrity. The porous nature of concrete makes it more vulnerable to this process, allowing the acids to seep into concrete and even reach the substructure, like steel rebar. Common results are leaching, cracks, and rust spots, let alone wine stains.
Preventing Wine Damage to Concrete
While no one wants to spill wine, it’s often an accepted consequence at wineries or storehouses. If regular amounts of wine get spilled on untreated concrete regularly, the damage eventually becomes obvious. By that time, repairs become more difficult. Rinsing any spills away with water merely delays the inevitable, because the water cannot wash away the acids that already seeped into the concrete. Many cleaning solvents use acids that only add to the damage.
The best option to provide security for your concrete floor is with epoxy coatings from Nevada Custom Coatings. We add a seamless, waterproof barrier that prevents the acids in wine from making any contact with your concrete floor. We also offer non-slip finishes to help you and your employees stay on their feet if there are any spills – from water to soap to wine. Many restaurants, kitchens, breweries and wineries benefit from coved flooring, which extends your epoxy coating beyond the floor and up the walls by as much as 18 inches.
Whether your business or home deals with wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverages, epoxy coatings make sure that your concrete floor remains secure and intact for as long as you use it. Nevada Custom Coatings is happy to offer free consultations. Give our office a call or schedule an appointment using our online form.
