• Chipping paint on concrete creates an eyesore.peeling paint image by R MACKAY from Fotolia.com
  
  Paint often has a hard time adhering to concrete for very long. It must be removed properly once it begins to chip and peel. It's harder to remove paint from concrete than most other surfaces, such as wood. Due to the difficult nature of the project and the potential health risks as a result of the dust and particles released during the job, you may want to consider hiring a professional to do the work for you. If you'd rather do it yourself, you'll need to keep a few important considerations in mind.
  
  

Precautions

• Removing paint comes with inherent health concerns. When done improperly, paint removal may cause serious injury. Make sure the paint you're removing isn't lead-based. If it is lead paint, hire professionals to remove the paint. They will know the proper safety precautions and how to dispose of the waste.
  
  If you use a chemical paint remover, read the instructions carefully. Make sure to keep these products away from children and pets. When using any type of blaster to strip paint from the surface of concrete, wear a protective mask and goggles to guard against dust.
  
  

Chemical Strippers

• Chemical strippers provide the least labor-intensive method of removing paint from concrete. Finding out what type of paint you're dealing with will make choosing the right stripping agent easier. Stripping agents are often toxic, so it's important to read the labels. Use proper ventilation and avoid contact with the skin. Soy-based products are a nontoxic alternative that get good results when used with patience. Whatever you use, remove the paint using a paint stripper after the suggested amount of time has passed.
  
  

Blasting

• Another popular way to remove paint from concrete is to blast it off in one way or another. A high-pressure sprayer works on occasion for very loose paint on exteriors. This is called power washing. Sometimes something more heavy-duty is required to get the job done. Sandblasters are the next most commonly used instruments. Shotblasting is used when sandblasting isn't effective. Instead of sand, shotblasting utilizes small metal beads and not only removes the paint but also takes off a surface layer of concrete.