Care and Maintenance of Cast Stone

Little or nothing needs to be done to protect the finish of natural concrete fountains and statuaries. Many people find the aging and weathering of natural stone to be appealing. The aging can be impeded with a clear concrete sealer available from your local hardware store.

The Henri Studio color finished cast stone (concrete) garden decor have a penetrating sealer designed to resist the elements for years. Products with a smooth luster finish may be revived yearly with a light coat of acrylic sealer available from your local hardware/lumber store.

You may choose to refinish your fountain after a number of years, whether in the original or a new color. For cast stone products manufactured by Henri Studio, we can provide you with a refinishing kit complete with all materials and instructions. Contact us to find out if we have a kit for your item.

Finishing raw concrete items. Some cast stone products are supplied with no sealer. Contact your local hardware or craft store for advice on the best paint finish to use. You can also try Tricker's for concrete finishing products.

To camoflage minor dings, nicks, and scratches, use a dab of almost any type of outdoor paint that is not water soluble such as acrylic or lacquer. Dab the paint onto the mar and wipe off the excess. Your touch-up should blend in nicely.

If your concrete product has cracked over the years, try a silicone sealant or ask your local hardware or hbby store for advice on repairing cracked concrete.

You may safely and easily remove mineral build-up with a fountain cleaner and lime remover. This must be done routinely before serious mineral builds up. Do not use it as a water additive but as a suface cleaner to prevent damage to your pump and tubing. Apply only a little at a time and gently wipe until the buildup is gone. Take care to not remove the finish.

Algae Problems Water clarifier available from Tricker's or your local aquarium store can help keep the fountain water clear from sludge, algae, and cloudiness. You can also purchase algicide to prevent the dreaded algae.

Residue Depending on temperature, evaporation, and mineral content in your tap and rain water, you may notice white residue building up on the surface of the bowl. This is normal. Frequent rinsing and water changes will help to minimize this. If you have heavy water, you can try gently softening the water. Do not use alot of water softener because it may eat away the concrete structure. Please get the advice of your local hardware store before using chemicals in your fountain.

DO NOT USE sealer or lime remover on finishes on stain finishes (vs. paints).

DO NOT ALLOW SALT or melting snow with salt to come into contact with your concrete item. This will invalidate the warranty.

Winter Care of Cast Stone Concrete.