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concrete facts

concrete facts

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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. 

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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.
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An image showing the variations in concrete colors between batches of concrete
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​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.

  • Uneven stamp impression
This typically happens because the concrete is getting hard too fast to allow the stamp to set as deep as other areas. Typically, we cannot tell this has occurred because of accent release powder covers it and it is not visible after the product is completely dry.

  • Tears/Hairline Cracks/Crusting
This is when small “cracks” are visible near the edges of the stones or bricks in the pattern. They resemble cracks, but they are actually tears or crusting. They are caused by the outward pressure of the stamping tools on the concrete. Again, we often cannot tell this is occurring because the accent release powder covers it. We cannot control this occurrence. This does not affect the structural integrity of the concrete.

  • Double stamp lines
Occasionally, the stamp may create an extra or double-line at a seam. Unfortunately, this is nearly impossible to see during installation because of the release powder and must be left as-is.
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  • Rough/uneven stamp texture
This is normal and can appear throughout the stamping process. Keep in mind that natural stone also has uneven and varying surfaces.

  • Release color variations
When accent release color is added, some of the concrete will be slightly wetter and some will be slightly harder. These variations in the concrete affect how much the concrete absorbs the color. When we spray the release off, there will be areas of uneven or marbled color as a result. We have no control over this; this is simply the nature of the product.

  • Stamp ridges
When we stamp concrete and remove the stamp, many times, ridges will develop between stamp mat impressions. Often, we cannot see these during installations do to the release powder. This is normal and cannot be avoided. 
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  • Pitting
When we remove the stamp during stamp application, there may be small areas that may appear like they are pitted.  

  • Streaking
When troweling concrete, streaks may develop through concrete, affecting the visual appearance.  These will diminish over time.


Mottern Masonry Design - Phone 703-496-7491 - Fax 703-496-7300 
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