Frequent Asked Questions
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If you will be having a construction project soon, it will be ideal to understand what makes concrete and cement different. They are closely related because one is part of the other. In this sense, one of the important components of concrete is cement. In the wet mixture of concrete, cement forms that gray pasty material to which all the sand and rock sticks to. It serves as a binder or adhesive that holds everything together. Now this mixture, when dry turns into a hard substance. This have characteristics that are likened to those of rocks. This is the concrete.
Yes, not all concrete is the same. There can be some subtle differences that can result when a little variation is made with the mix proportions of the different components of concrete. They can have different levels of compressive strength, stability, and workability depending on which of the components are present predominantly. For example, changing the proportions of sand and rock such that there is more of the other can make it different. This will be useful because you can suit the concrete to your needs. But the changes in the mix proportions should only be done and decided by professionals.
Yes. Most of the people that we have encountered need a concrete contractor so that their project can be completed. This is because for the concrete work to turn out great, you will need more than the basic knowledge and skills. It will entail expertise and experience to be able to make a sound concrete structure. If you work with a concrete contractor, all the tools and expertise can be taken cared of. You will not have to worry about it anymore. Moreover, all the details, even the design considerations for your property and projects can be managed as well.
No, a rainy condition is hardly ever ideal for concrete. This is because the extra water will not mix well with the concrete. The proportions of every component of concrete should be well balanced, and the results are sensitive to such small changes. Hence, we see to it that we do not schedule big pouring projects on days when it is forecasted to rain. For smaller projects and when unexpected rains do come, we bring enough tarps to make sure that the whole area can be covered, preventing any damages that may result. We avoid this as much as possible.
Yes, concrete is amenable to painting. Painting is a popular and reliable way of adding color to your concrete. One of the great advantages would be that you will not need to always get professional help for it since you can do it on your own. But if you are planning on painting your concrete, here are some helpful pointers. First, make sure that you are buying he right kind of paint. Only masonry or elastomeric will be appropriate. Otherwise, it will not stick well. This kind of paint should only be manually applied such as with a texture roller since the special ingredients may clog paint sprayers.
Various factors have been studied and implicated in the mechanisms of how and why concrete cracks. A well-made concrete, even when subjected to forces is not expected to crack just because of mechanical stress. Often, there is an underlying factor that is present. For example, this could be an error in how the concrete was prepared. For example, improper mix proportions may have been used. There may have been more of a certain component which was not balanced out. In the end, this can result in the concrete having low strength. Also, if there is greater shrinkage, the cracking can ensue early.
An ample amount of time is always crucial to allow concrete to cure, set, and reach its maximum level of strength. Concrete will be most sensitive during the first 24 hours, when it is just beginning to emerge from its liquid state. No manipulations at all should be done at this point. On the other hand, by the 7th day of pouring, it is expected that the concrete is already 90% set. However, we advise postponing driving on it until after the 10th day. An important reminded is that you should also not park you car yet on the new concrete driveway for 30 days.
A concrete sealer is a product that you can buy from hardware stores that is mainly used to protect the most superficial surface of the concrete. There are various kinds of this product and they main contain either polyurethane, epoxy, acrylic, or other kinds of penetrating resins. This is simple to use. You can spread this over the surface of the concrete using only a roller or a sprayer. The methodology is very simple and yet, it can afford some surface protection for the next two years to five years. Hence, you can reapply it at this very seldom interval only.
Most definitely, concrete is affected by weather and there will be various factors of the weather that can have effects on concrete. One of the most common specific elements of the weather that can have effects on concrete is the rain. The added water from this weather phenomenon messes with the balance of the concrete mix. On the other hand, another factor will be temperature. This is significant in areas where there is freezing temperatures during winter. What could happen is the premature solidification of concrete when it freezes under the conditions despite not being able to properly cure.
When it comes to choosing between concrete and asphalt as the material of choice to use for your driveway construction, your considerations must go beyond just the initial costs. If asphalt is a greater consideration for you at the moment, make sure that you are also willing to follow through the costs and efforts required of you to better maintain it in a good state. Asphalt is simpler and easier to repair, but it will be needed more often that for concrete. Hence, this will entail costs and time. But if you are not willing to go through with this, choose concrete.
There is no single mix of concrete that is considered as the gold standard. However, we do have a usual measurement that we follow in practice that is usually good enough in most situations. This mix has the right combination of crushed rock, sand, and cement which makes up concrete that is good enough for almost anything. For us, this is the 4:2:1 mixture which is made up of four parts of rock, with two parts of sand, a single part of cement. This is applicable for many structures but if in case a different outcome is needed, this can be modified.
Yes, in terms of recyclability, concrete is superb. There has been new technology developed in the recent year that has allowed us to recycle concrete completely. Everything that is taken form the demolition sites can be processed by these technologies so that they can be used again. Hence, nothing is wasted. Also, the concrete will be maximized even beyond its original use. This move of recycling concrete has been great for both the environment and the economy. The processed concrete is mostly used as aggregate material in the new projects. Here, we can produce new walkways, pathways, driveways, and the like.
Concrete testing is a simple step in making sure that the quality of the concrete is not compromised. Some simple tests that we do such as measuring the air content and the slump test are helpful in knowing if the concrete has weak points or if there was anything that we missed in the preparation that can still be improved. We have experts who conduct these tests and would know exactly how to interpret them. The finding can guide how we will make our decisions especially if there is something that can still be improved with the concrete that was installed.
Stains on concrete can be concerning especially if the source of the stain are oil and grease. Fortunately, there are ways to remove these stains even without hiring someone to do it. You just need to have the minimum materials and the substances, as well as an idea of how the process should be done. It will be nice to at least have a cleaning solution that has sodium triphosphate as one of its major components. Although, liquid detergent will be a good alternative. Allow the stain to soak for some time, and after, you can scrub it with a brush.
Yes, concrete will need some maintenance. Even if this is the case, concrete remains to be one of the lowest maintenance materials out there. It does not take a lot to keep the concrete in good shape and appearance. One of the simplest yet most significant things that you can do is keeping it clean. This will not require having any special equipment or tools. You can also try using a concrete sealer if this is applicable for you. You can apply it every two years to be five years and it will be fine. Prompt repair is also needed.
Most of the concrete that we see is gray when without any alterations. This is true in all parts of the world wherever concrete is used. The components of concrete contribute to how this color comes about. The most consistent component that can give this gray color is cement. Cement is the ‘glue’ that holds all the aggregate together. Prior to mixing, this appears as a gray powder. The gray color comes mostly from black iron ore that becomes as it is mixed with other substances to ultimately produce cement. Luckily, there are various methods you can use to do away with pain gray concrete.
Not necessarily so. Although, we do agree that concrete can become a lot stronger by the time that it is dry. It is the presence and the reactions that involve water that makes concrete stronger. Water is a primary component basic component of wet cement. Its presence starts the hydration process of the cement. When everything is mixed together, the aggregates will be caught up in the mix which will be held more stable after the reaction has completed. The concrete can remain wet for up to months after the pouring, so it can actually continue gaining strength for some time.