Frequent Asked Questions
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No, concrete and cement are not the same thing. However, in many instances in daily conversation, it is very often that they are used interchangeably. This is because even if they are not the same, they are related. Concrete is a substance composed of aggregate material held together by cement, which when dried forms a solid and hard material. By this very definition, it is clear that cement is a part of concrete which can explain why it is so common for the terms to be interchanged. Cement comes from iron ore, clay, and limestone and it serves as the binding ingredient of concrete.
Yes, it is indeed a fact that concrete comes in various types and forms. Some of the variations can easily be achieved by modifying the amounts of the different components of concrete. More of one thing can be added and less of another such that either a stronger or more flexible concrete can be produced. For example, if the proportion of rock is increased, that will be a harder concrete. On another note, there are also special concrete types available. Examples of this are environment friendly ones that are porous enough to let the water pass through into the subsoil directly.
The short and easy answer to this is yes, we think that you may need a concrete contractor. Hiring a professional to handle the projects that you have which will involve concrete will be a smart decision on your part. This is because everything can be handled smoothly and coordinated well. The materials needed and the equipment to be used will already be provided. Unlike in a situation where you will try to manage everything in a concrete project, a contractor can make it easier for you. Sure, it does come with a price, but it will be worth what you will pay for.
No, a situation where concrete must set in the rain is far from ideal. For this reason, we always check the weather when we are planning a concrete pouring project especially if it is a big one. Heavy rains can add water to the concrete mix. This can be a recipe for disaster. The added water will offset the balance of the contents of the concrete mix. Hence, the substances will not react properly which will result in concrete that will not reach its full hardness potential. An additional safety measure we have is bringing enough tarps in case we need cover the newly poured concrete.
There are many options that are available if you want to add color to your concrete. Painting is one of those options and it is in fact one of the simplest and most economical ones. This can be done for various structures including your driveways, pathways, sidewalks, patios, pool decks, retaining walls, and many more. When it comes to the colors of the paint that can be made available for you, there is almost no limit. But one thing to keep in mind is that the right kind of paint must be used. Only elastomeric or masonry paint will be suitable for this purpose.
In most instances, there can be more than one reason why concrete would eventually crack. Usually though, the most significant factors that can cause this happen during the preparation of the concrete mix. This is why it is important to have experienced people handling the work. An example of an error that can cause the cracking of the concrete is when there are improper mix proportions of its different components. The techniques of mixing can affect this as well. Oddly enough, the effect of mechanical impact on the cracking of concrete is smaller compared to what was previously mentioned here.
Time is of essence when you are dealing with concrete, especially in its drying process. Twenty-four hours after the concrete was poured, the mix is usually still somewhat liquid and any disturbance at this point can be permanent. So, take care not to disturb it at this time. In seven to ten days, you may be allowed to drive over it already, but not yet park since the material may still be unstable. In one month since the pouring, it will already be allowed for you to park on your driveway since it has already 90% of its strength by then.
A concrete sealer is a substance that is applied over the surface of any concrete structure that can offer it protection from damages brought on by daily use. Using it is a simple, reliable, yet affordable way of putting added protection on your concrete structure, such as your concrete floor. The main ingredient can be anything from epoxy, polyurethane, acrylic, or some type of penetrating resin. With regard to how often this must be applied, in most circumstances, every two to five years is fine. Concrete sealers are available from your most of local hardware stores and can be easily used.
Yes, it is no question that concrete can be affected by the weather situations. In the environment, one of the elements that have a significant impact is the temperature, more specifically lower temperatures. During the cold months, pouring wet concrete can be troubling. If the temperatures are low enough, the wet concrete can freeze since it contains water. Wet concrete that has frozen is already a waste. This is because it cannot be used anymore as it can longer go through the process of curing. This is because heat is an essential part of the process that will eventually produce concrete.
There are lot of reasons why concrete will be worth more than asphalt even if you will be paying more for it. To make it simple, it is just that concrete is more durable and denser compared to concrete, which makes it more resistant to damage. This means that repairs and maintenance would not be as often as it will be for asphalt when compared to concrete. In that way, choosing concrete in the first place means less further costs even if you will initially spend more. For asphalt, sealing will immediately be needed just months after installation. Choose wisely.
There are many things that you must get right in order to produce “good concrete.” In essence, it must contain the right ingredients in the right amounts. There is a recommended proportion for the amount of each item in the mixture. For most projects, we have the 4:2:1 mixture which is somehow foolproof and works as the default mixture provided that not other special specifications are needed. This is composed of four parts of crushed rock, two parts of sand, and one part for cement. What is done sometimes is the proportion is changed to produce concrete of a different quality.
Yes, concrete is a recyclable material. The advances in technology in the recent years has allowed the recycling of concrete to be more efficient and available to more people. Hence, it has become a standard recycling practice. Ideally, when a concrete company demolishes a building or driveway, the removed concrete can be loaded into trucks and then be transported into a facility that was designed for concrete recycling. The discarded concrete goes through processes which ultimately lead to it being crushed. This crushed material will serve now as aggregate component for concrete in the incoming concrete construction projects in the future.
Testing concrete is far from being a waste of time and resources. The main reason why concrete is rigorously tested is to ensure that the best possible quality of concrete is provided for you. The tests can tell whether the concrete passes the standard of the required strength for its purpose. Some of the examples that we routinely do are the measurement of air content and the slump test. Our experts know what the results in each test would mean. In case of problems, conducting the tests allows us to better direct our solutions for the betterment of the concrete project done.
Stains on concrete can be annoying and bothersome. But it will be good news to you that they can be easily removed with the right technique, even without any sophisticated materials or training. A recommended product to use is a cleaner that contains sodium triphosphate. This compound is known to work with concrete stains very well, especially grease stains. To achieve this, make sure to leave the solution on the stained area for some time. After that, you can scrub the grease so that it comes of the surface. Solutions with sodium triphosphate is available at local hardware stores at affordable prices.
Concrete may be a very durable and reliable material but like everything else, it would not hurt if you could do simple measures to maintain its quality. Usual measures considered as maintenance for the concrete are just simple routine measures that can be achieved by an untrained property owner. One is the maintenance of its cleanliness. A concrete driveway or pathway can be kept clean by using a simple garden hose or a pwerwasher if that is available. If applicable, the use of concrete sealer is also a simple yet beneficial move for maintenance. Inspection for damage can also be valuable.
Concrete and cement are not the same. With that, the color of concrete must come from something. Largely, the gray color that has been attributed to concrete time and again comes from cement. Cement is gray because it was produced from iron ore, limestone, and clay. Among these components the iron ore is the black one and is the major source of what makes it gray. With the addition of the other ingredients of cement, the black color is muted and a dull shade of gray is the result. This color can be altered when you paint, stain, or dye the concrete.
No, it is not the drying itself that will cause the concrete to gain strength, but it is related to it. There are many chemical reactions that must happen for concrete to be produced. One of the crucial processes is the addition of water: hydration, which in a way can be taken as the opposite of drying. Hydration commences a lot of processes which will activate the binding material in the cement and cause the aggregate materials to form a solid substance. The reactions continue while water is present so by the time that the concrete is dry, it is also strong.