concrete facts
concrete facts
This page contains important information about the properties of concrete. It is important to recognize that during the installation, hydration, and curing of any concrete product, variables beyond human control may exist that impact the end result.
Cracking: Unfortunately, cracking cannot be avoided, even when following best practices. Cracking is an inherent property of concrete. There are measures that can be taken to reduce unsightly cracks but not eliminate them.
Hydration and Curing of Concrete: When mixed with cement, water acts as a catalyst, causing the mixture to harden and strengthen. This is the Hydration process. Once the initial hydration and strengthening has occurred, the curing process occurs. This process will continue for many years to come. Initially, some shrinking will occur and this can cause some cracks to form. We use control joints to minimize the development of these cracks. These control joints also add a visual look to the finished product. These joints do not affect the strength of the concrete.
Color: Concrete is a natural product. All ingredients are found in nature, and like items in nature, colors may not be consistent. Due to availability, ready-mix companies that supply the concrete may use rock, sand, and cement from different sources and this can affect the color. Concrete companies also often have variations in concrete color between batches/truckloads. In addition, concrete does not dry and cure in a uniform manner so it is normal to see discoloration throughout the curing process. Mottern Masonry has no control over this discoloration, which usually blends in a few months, and shall not be held responsible nor liable to remedy any discoloration in new concrete. Further, for colored concrete, Mottern Masonry cannot guarantee exact color.
Flat Slab Concrete: All flat slabs are susceptible to puddling; it cannot be avoided. It is common and should be considered reasonable to see 1/4" puddling in approximately 4'. Concrete slabs will have fall in them in order to drain.
Efflorescence: Efflorescence is a dusty, white salt or chalk-like substance that appears on the surface of concrete, and it is caused by the movement of soluble salts within the concrete coming up to the surface. It can show up immediately after the concrete has hardened or sometimes take days or weeks to appear. It is beyond the control of any contractor to prevent. It does not affect anything other than the appearance and it usually disappears over time. Mottern Masonry is not responsible for the appearance of efflorescence and charges additional fees if a customer wishes to have it removed from concrete.
Freshly poured concrete: Do not to walk on new concrete for 24 hours; For stamped concrete, from the time it is poured, do not walk on it until 48 hours after it is sealed. For a newly installed driveway, do not drive on it for 5 days.
Cracking: Unfortunately, cracking cannot be avoided, even when following best practices. Cracking is an inherent property of concrete. There are measures that can be taken to reduce unsightly cracks but not eliminate them.
Hydration and Curing of Concrete: When mixed with cement, water acts as a catalyst, causing the mixture to harden and strengthen. This is the Hydration process. Once the initial hydration and strengthening has occurred, the curing process occurs. This process will continue for many years to come. Initially, some shrinking will occur and this can cause some cracks to form. We use control joints to minimize the development of these cracks. These control joints also add a visual look to the finished product. These joints do not affect the strength of the concrete.
Color: Concrete is a natural product. All ingredients are found in nature, and like items in nature, colors may not be consistent. Due to availability, ready-mix companies that supply the concrete may use rock, sand, and cement from different sources and this can affect the color. Concrete companies also often have variations in concrete color between batches/truckloads. In addition, concrete does not dry and cure in a uniform manner so it is normal to see discoloration throughout the curing process. Mottern Masonry has no control over this discoloration, which usually blends in a few months, and shall not be held responsible nor liable to remedy any discoloration in new concrete. Further, for colored concrete, Mottern Masonry cannot guarantee exact color.
Flat Slab Concrete: All flat slabs are susceptible to puddling; it cannot be avoided. It is common and should be considered reasonable to see 1/4" puddling in approximately 4'. Concrete slabs will have fall in them in order to drain.
Efflorescence: Efflorescence is a dusty, white salt or chalk-like substance that appears on the surface of concrete, and it is caused by the movement of soluble salts within the concrete coming up to the surface. It can show up immediately after the concrete has hardened or sometimes take days or weeks to appear. It is beyond the control of any contractor to prevent. It does not affect anything other than the appearance and it usually disappears over time. Mottern Masonry is not responsible for the appearance of efflorescence and charges additional fees if a customer wishes to have it removed from concrete.
Freshly poured concrete: Do not to walk on new concrete for 24 hours; For stamped concrete, from the time it is poured, do not walk on it until 48 hours after it is sealed. For a newly installed driveway, do not drive on it for 5 days.
An image showing the improvement in the variations between concrete batches over the course of a few months. This is the same job shown in the "Color" example image above.
An image showing the variations in concrete colors between batches of concrete
Common Stamped Concrete Imperfections
Here are several common imperfections beyond our control that occur with stamped concrete. These do not occur with brick, stone, or pavers. Many of these imperfections become less noticeable as concrete cures and as it weathers with rain, snow, ice, foot traffic, furniture, etc.
Here are several common imperfections beyond our control that occur with stamped concrete. These do not occur with brick, stone, or pavers. Many of these imperfections become less noticeable as concrete cures and as it weathers with rain, snow, ice, foot traffic, furniture, etc.
- Uneven stamp impression
- Tears/Hairline Cracks/Crusting
- Double stamp lines
- Rough/uneven stamp texture
- Release color variations
- Stamp ridges
- Pitting
- Streaking