Frequent Asked Questions
Home » Frequent Asked Questions
To clear things up, it is warranted to know that concrete is the composite material that is produced when substances including crushed rock, sand, and cement are mixed with each other. That being said, cement is only one part of concrete. But just because it is a component among others does not mean that is not an important material. The importance of cement in the mixture of concrete is great because it is the main material that holds everything together. It is important to understand the difference between these: concrete and cement because this is usually interchanged in daily conversations.
All concrete may seem to be the same, but there can be some subtle differences that can spell their suitability for certain situations. Just a slight variation in the amounts of its different components can mean a different kind of concrete all together. Depending on which component you added or reduced, you can produce concrete with different characteristics. If it is intended to produce concrete that has a little more compressive strength than normal, you can increase the proportion of the rock. Aside from just slight modifications in the composition, the different kinds of concrete also include the eco-friendly ones.
Concrete work, whether in the residential or commercial setting is something that you must experts do. This is because it is a job that requires more than just the fundamental knowledge and skills. Moreover, it will be hard to complete any concrete project if you do not have the correct materials and equipment. None of these would be a problem if you hire a concrete contractor for your project because they will have the right tools and expertise to help you with your work. Aside from just the steps that involve concrete, the contractors can also handle the site preparation.
The weather has impacts on concrete. One of the most significant ones is the effects of rain. It will not be right for concrete to set in the rain. Water is added into the concrete mixture, but the water from the rain can be beyond what is needed to make reach the proper consistency of the mixture. Moreover, the water from the rain cannot be properly mixed with the rest of the components of concrete. At our company, we do all that we can to make sure that the concrete does not have to set in the rain by coordinated scheduling.
Painting concrete is one of the most recommended ways to add color to it. This is also great if you are envisioning some solid color for your concrete structure. Keep in mind that there is only a certain kind of paint that will work well with the peculiar characteristics of the surface of the concrete. This special kind of paint is known as the masonry paint or elastomeric paint. This is the kind of paint that has been formulated with chemical additives that make it better suited for the features of concrete. These are available in many premixed colors and shades.
When it comes to the structural integrity of concrete, there is usually more than a single reason why concrete crack. There will also be a different set of reasons for concrete that cracks earlier than they are supposed to. To give some examples, we all think that it is the mechanical forces that contribute a lot to this compromise. In reality, this will have a relatively small contribution. Errors in the mix proportions and in the strategies for mixing concrete can be the major culprit of the cracking of concrete. Hence, it is advisable to be meticulous in these stages of concrete work.
It is wisest to let your concrete cure for some time before you try to drive on it. For best results, maximize the curing period to ten days, although it can be shortened to seven days at the minimum. This is best to let the concrete dry and set while it is susceptible to changes that may mean long-term complications in its final structure. In addition to this, we also tell our clients not to park on the newly made driveways until after the first month of having it installed. Keep these minimum timeframes in mind for the best concrete quality.
Concrete sealers are substances that offer superficial surface protection for concrete. This is great for moisture damage, chemical spills, and minor wear and scratches. It is very cheap and very easy to apply, and yet it can afford protection for your concrete for a minimum of two years up to five years. The major ingredients that can be found in most variants vary from epoxy, acrylic, polyurethane, or simply any kind of penetrating resin. Putting the sealer on the surface of the concrete is not a labor-intensive work, and yet the benefits are superb. This is great for indoor settings like flooring.
A lot of the elements of the weather can affect the quality of concrete. To give some examples, we can focus on the effects of temperature and rain. For temperature, it is the colder days that can be most detrimental. This is because for the wet concrete mix to be fully incorporated, it requires some level of heat. Freezing temperatures can cost the concrete to solidify when the water becomes frozen. On the other hand, addition of too much water to the concrete when the rain pours unexpectedly can also cause dire consequences. It can cause the volume to expand.
The price should not be the only consideration when weighing the choice between asphalt and concrete driveways. However, if cost is really your concern, it will be important for you to know that the cost of maintaining asphalt may be tantamount to what you will need to spend for concrete. In facts, since asphalt maintenance will be needed regularly, the frequent expenses can eventually mean that the total amount that you will spend for asphalt exceeds what you would for concrete. In the first place, concrete is more durable, sturdy, and requires less maintenance even if it may seem like the more expensive option at first.
The best mix proportion of concrete can vary depending on the setting where it is used. However, for common concrete structures, there is a foolproof mix proportion that we usually go along with if the structure does not need any special considerations. This is the 4:2:1 mixture. The three main ingredients of concrete are crushed rock, sand, and cement. Cement will have the least allocation among these three, and rock will have the most at four parts. Sand will comprise the other two parts. There is no hard and fast rule for concrete mix proportions, so these can be modified as needed.
Yes, it is recyclable. Recycling is one of the processes that have revolutionized the use of concrete and which have made this material sturdier and more reliable. The major source of recycled concrete are the demolition sites. Every year, tons of concrete are retrieved from these sites. They are brought to the nearest recycling centers so they can be processed before they are used again. Most of the time, the resulting material from the recycling process is used as bulking or aggregate material for new projects. We have used these in many of our developments, and as expected, quality is great.
Testing is a step that can be skipped after pouring, but it is highly advisable that you take the time for this. Even the simplest tests that we do like the measurement of air content and the slump test can be very informative. Experts can interpret that results of these tests, and they can judge whether some tweaking is needed in order to maximize the quality of the concrete. This can save you a lot of trouble for the years to come. Moreover, you can make sure that you are getting the best value for your concrete because it was optimized.
It can be frustrating to see stains on the surface of your concrete driveway or concrete floor. There are simple cleaning methods that you can do by yourself to make sure that these stains can be gone. First, you will need something to rub the stain off like a scrub pad or a tough brush. Another of the essentials is a cleaning solution. It is ideal to use sodium triphosphate as a cleaning agent. However, if this is not available, you can try using detergent. You can allow the stain to soak for a while to allow the chemical to act on it.
Yes, concrete will require some maintenance, but nothing to grueling or complicated. Hence, it has become known to be one of the materials that are easiest to maintain. One of the simple things that you can do to prevent minor damages and stains is to periodically apply concrete sealers on the surface every few years or so. On the other hand, it will also be good if you regularly check the corners and cervices of the concrete for damage. Doing this will mean that you can call for repair early, which can also mean that further damage can be avoided.
Concrete is gray because of one of its major contents, cement. Since cement is incorporated all over the mix, the overall color that results will be gray. The color of the cement comes originally from black. The material that makes up cement includes black iron ore. Black becomes dullened to shades of gray when other lighter materials are added. For concrete, rock and sand which can also be in hues of gray can also contribute to its peculiar color. If concrete’s natural gray is not attractive to you, it will also be possible to change this color by staining or painting.
There are many processes involved in allowing the concrete to gain strength. Mainly, it has something to do with how the cement and water mixture interacts with the aggregate components. When water is added into cement, the process known as hydration is commenced. This is the main chemical reactions that makes way for the strengthening of concrete. This process is highly dependent on the presence of water in the mix. Hence, while there is still water, concrete can still become stronger. By the time all the water is out, or the concrete has dried, it will be at its strongest.