It is common for us to encounter situations where the words ‘concrete’ and ‘cement’ are widely used interchangeably. However, even if this is a common scenario, these two are still very different. One cannot be incomplete without the other. Actually, one of them only functions mainly as a component of the other. By this logic, concrete cannot be complete without cement, while cement is mainly produced as a component of concrete. Concrete is the overall product produced when cement is mixed with sand and rock. On the other hand, cement is the gray powder mixed with water to form concrete.

Yes, concrete can easily be modified so there are many kinds of concrete. Adding more of a component and less of another could mean an entirely different kind of concrete in terms of qualities like composition and consistency. This may be necessary depending on the situation. For example, if the concrete will be used for a situation where great compressive strength is needed, more rock should be incorporated in the proportions. On the other hand, less rock and more sand is nice for a workable concrete that is commonly used in structures that require intricate designs, such as concrete fountains.

Yes, you will need a concrete contractor. Working with concrete is more complicated than the mixing and pouring that we are more familiar with. There are detailed and careful planning that needs to be considered. Moreover, there are preparations of the site that needs to be done. This will include excavation and subgrade preparation in some sites. These are things that are hard to accomplish without the right skills, tools, and equipment. Hence, most people will need a concrete contractor. If you work with a professional for your concrete work, you have some assurance that things will go without a hitch.

No, it is not great if concrete will be allowed to set in the rain. The rain is one of the most detrimental things to wet concrete. When preparing the concrete mix, there is only a definite amount of water that comes into that mixture. Any additional amount of water can result in unfavorable outcomes for the concrete. One of the main problems will be low strength. Also, you may observe that the concrete will crack early on. Other issues will include scaling and dusting. Hence, we try as much as we can to divert the schedules when heavy rains are predicted.

Yes. Today, many innovative ways have been developed to add color to concrete. However, painting the concrete remains a classic and stable method. This is also very reliable, and the results are predictable. Just be careful that if you will be buying the paint yourself, you should remember to choose the kind of concrete specially designed for concrete. You will see these labeled as ‘masonry paint’ or ‘elastomeric paint.’ This have certain ingredients that aid in the paint sticking to the concrete. You will not have to worry about any available shades since in most cases, you can request for your own mix.

Usually, there is more than one thing to blame when concrete cracks. The factors that may be involved can range from misses in the preparation phase or some issues that happened while the concrete is already in use. Of these, those that can be attributed to the preparation phase are of much graver significance. Some of which will include improper amount of water and inadequate mixing. If there is water beyond what is required, an increase in volume of the wet concrete may happen. This will translate into a greater degree of contraction or shrinkage by the time it completely dries.

The average number of days that must pass before it is acceptable to drive on the concrete is seven full days. Any less can be detrimental to the overall quality of the concrete. Just to be sure, we advise the property owners that we work with to add three days to this minimum. This will make sure that the concrete has truly reached the 90% of strength that it is expected to have by this time. However, ten days is not enough of curing to allow parking on it. It will take at least 30 days to make sure all is set.

Concrete sealers are special chemical substances that may be composed of a wide range of compounds. These are applied on the superficial surface of the concrete to provide protection against minor damages like mechanical factors and liquid spills. If applied properly and if you used a good brand, it could offer protection for at least two years, but to a maximum of five years. This is very simple to apply and easy to use that anyone can do it. It is placed on the concrete just using a sprayer or roller similar to those that are used in paint jobs.

Like a lot of other environmental factors, the weather can have effects on concrete. There are many aspects of the weather that can be involved in this. One of which is rain. This may have dire effects due to the imbalances that can be caused by the added water. To cite more examples, the temperature can also affect the weather. What is more significant will be extreme cold rather than hot conditions. The solidification of concrete involves complex reactions that simply cannot happen when the wet concrete has frozen already. Hence, we are careful in scheduling pouring during the winter.