The rainwater collection is brilliant. More of us should be recycling cooling water, etc in our hobby. I like where this is going! Keep it up!
commander flatus said:The rainwater collection is brilliant. More of us should be recycling cooling water, etc in our hobby. I like where this is going! Keep it up!
Just a heads-up, acids will etch into concrete pretty quickly, and they're everywhere in the brewery. Even your end-product is acidic, not to mention star-san, cleaners, etc.
The only thing worse than having to patch some worn epoxy is having to move everything out so you can repour your floor.
Yeah, commercially is the only experience with bare concrete I have, and within two years of concrete plus a sealant - but no epoxy or anything - we're already getting trouble spots in places like under the hx. Obviously if you're careful and not brewing every day, you can probably get away with it for years. Really, you're the person in the best spot to weigh the risks/costs. But even the big box sealants will provide some protection, and like I said, acids are more or less everywhere in the brewery, and can eat up concrete pretty quickly.Anyone who has brewed extensively on bare concrete care to weigh in? I did do some reading up on how commercial breweries handle this though and while some report liking 'naked' concrete, many agree with you that a sealant of some kind is essential.
Our reputation comes from endless days of gray overcast that seems to settle in around the end of October, and stay through May.
fall-line said:It's a fair point and I appreciate it. I see a lot of folks on here brewing on untreated concrete, and it doesn't seem like it's been a big concern at the homebrew level. Anyone who has brewed extensively on bare concrete care to weigh in? I did do some reading up on how commercial breweries handle this though and while some report liking 'naked' concrete, many agree with you that a sealant of some kind is essential. Some states require it for health code as well.
One more piece of news to share with you, since the group had so much good input on this.. A decision I made earlier wasn't sitting well with me. After declaring the floor conversation closed, and that I would leave it untreated, I've changed my mind.
I'm picking up a floor polishing rental kit (diamond grinder, etc) on Sunday and going to town on my floor. I decided that while I had too many concerns with the epoxy option (welding slag, etc), one more day's work would be worth it for a beautiful shiny (and mostly waterproof) floor. So we are grinding, polishing, and sealing.
Anyone who is going to be brewing on Sunday, please raise a glass for me while I'm on step #14 of the grinding process!
So you are not going to use my idea? ... I can live with that.
I'm brewing a Pale Ale this week end, so I will raise a glass, look at my floor, and think of the epoxy coat it will one day have.
Well, you did help to inspire me to do at least something with my floor. The epoxy finish is beautiful, but there are too many what-ifs for me with it when it comes to welding, etc on it. The polished and sealed concrete is a beautiful look as well, with less potential downside for my uses.
barhoc11 said:What about throwing down some clear coat to stop absorption as much as regular concrete?
Where are you planning on getting the cisterns for rain water?
Would the clear coat make it slippery when wet?
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