 |
|||
| | Parker Concrete FAQ's | | |||
|
Q) What is Aggregate? A) Aggregate is the substrate medium with which the cement bonds together. Aggregate coomes in many different sizes and forms including rock (gravel, 3/4 mix), fiber (fiberglass, carbon mat), and sometimes plastics (HDPE beads, plastic fibers). The strength of the final concrete pour is highly dependant upon the application for which it is intended and the combination of aggregate by sizes. Larger aggregate will have a tendancy to have a greater structural strength but it also requires a larger amount of cement to fill in the gaps. By using different sizes of aggregate we can balance the cement adhesion with proper substrate compositions. - Q) Do you have a warranty? A) Yes, PC&C offers a 1 year warranty on all concrete flatwork, including stamp work. Our Stardek product line has a 10 year warranty - Q) Does colored concrete fade? A) No, not noticibly if the seal coat is maintained properly. - Q) Do concrete sealers make the surface slippery? A) Yes, depending on the texture of the concrete surface. We have additives that can be added to the sealcoat to increase the static coefficient of friction (like rubberizing). - Q) What is Spalling? A) Concrete spalling is an effect similar to what you would get if your were to take a ball peen hammer to your concrete. It's the result of water seeping into microscopic pores/cracks and freezing then thawing in colder climates. Under different curcumstances, heavy weight and loads may cause surface deflection spalling. It's very common under areas where water has sat for a while and underneath rain gutters. The most common reason for spalling is due to working the concrete too early in the setting stage which causes water to be trapped under a very thin skin of concrete which has cured (from the outside) while the center/depth of the concrete is still curing. - Q) Is stamped concrete more likely to crack than plain concrete? A) No, not if proper placement, curing, and control joint strategies are implemented for the project. Studies have shown that the impact and tension strength of decorative concrete is significantly greater than that of standard cement and concrete. Spalling is virtually eliminated with decorative concrete. - Q) What is Integral color? A) Integral concrete color is the use of dye pigments added to the concrete mix before it is placed. The color is constistant throughout the entire mix. - Q) Can I, the homeowner, reseal my own concrete? A) Absolutely, resealing concrete is a relatively simple process as long as some precautions are taken. - Q) How do I, the homeowner, know what my concrete color is really going to look like from a color card? A) PC&C will provide a customized mock-up board to your exact pattern and color choices. - Q) Does temperature affect concrete when it is newly poured? A) Simply put, hot temperature evaporates the water from the concrete faster which can cause the cement to cure with a lower strength. Extreme cold environments can cause the concrete to take longer to cure. Longer curing times generally are stonger, but are more prone to problems during the hardening stage. In setings such as these, Parker Concrete & Coatings use different temperature control systems to maintain the optimal temperature for curing. - Q) Why does concrete crack? A) During the cure process, concrete can crack due to rapid evaporation as the moisture moves out of the pour. Moisture is also the single greatest factor in causing concrete to crack with age. Water can melt, seep into microscopic cracks, and then expand when freezing temperatures are met. Other factors include improper forming, ground settling, and poor concrete mixes. Fibrous materials and sealcoats can be added to the concrete to decrease the chances of water (or melting snow for Coloradans) from creating cracks. - Q) I've heard this thing about 28 day strength, what is that? A) Concrete is constantly absorbing and releasing moisture. A period of 28 days is used to measure the relative strength of the concrete to compare to the strength of the concrete after complete cure (99%). Concrete actually keeps curing for several years after the initial pour. - Q) What is 2 ton concrete? A) Something that really hurts when it lands on your toe! Actually it's a measure of the compressive strength of concrete after 28 days. By day 28, the concrete should be able to support 4000 pounds per square inch before failure. Concrete is really strong stuff! - Q) What is Stardek? A) Stardek's product is a color integrated modified acrylic cement product made of portland cement, silica-sand, and a modified acrylic resin for its cure bonding agent. It is primarily used for resurfacing old and new concrete. - Q) How thick is Stardek applied? A) Stardek I, II, and III are between 3/32" to 5/32". Stardek systems are thin layered cements which depend on adhesion through the use of modified acrylic resins. Stamped overlays are applied at approx. 3/8". The addition of acrylic resins allow the concrete to have a nominal amount of flex whgich helps in adhesion and crack/spauld prevention. - Q) Can I get Stardek in any color? A) PC&C has a variety of standard colors to choose from. however, we can customize colors to the individual liking. - Q) How long does it take to do a job? A) An average job will take 1 to 2 days. Larger, more complex jobs may take longer. - Q) How do you treat control joints? A) All existing control joints shold remain in the surface to allow for expansion and contraction of the original concrete. However, the sprayed coatings are applied in the joints so color and texture remains the same throughout. - Q) Is it Kool Deck? A) NO. Kool Deck is a product that must be applied to freshly poured concrete. Stardek can be applied to new or old concrete. In addation, Stardek is a three coat system and are sealed with a finish coat, which makes it impervious to staining. Whereas Kool Deck is a very porous, non-flexible product, that has a minimal life expectancy. - Q) Will pool water, chlorine, acid, or bleach stain the Stardek system? A) No, the completed system is impervious to most chemicals. - Q) Will the Stardek coating fade? A) No, not dramatically, the product may fade slightly over a period of years... Not more than 2% over 7 years. - Q) Can you correct drainage and low spots? A) Yes, the existing concrete can be built up and ground off depending on the site requirements. - Q) Can cracks be repaired? A) Yes. Crack are ground out with a top "V" then a two part epoxy is applied to the crack. The repair is ground smooth and the new coating applied. - Q) Will concrete cracks reoccur? A) Though we do eliminate 90% of cracks, it is possible thay may reoccur. If they do, it is usually in the form of a hairline, which is not objectionable as it is largely hidden in the texture. However, if a crack becomes too objectionable, it is easy to repair - Q) What if something happens to my concrete deck after the warranty? A) The material is repairable to its original state. We service all decks past warranty and guarantee the lowest price on repairs. - Q) Can Stardek be applied over painted concrete? A) Yes, though it is will generally need to be ground or scarfied for a bond to original concrete. - Q) Can Stardek be applied to steps? A) Absolutely - Q) Can Stardek be applied to walls? A) Yes we have coated vertical walls with great success. - Q) How long has Stardek been in use? A) The Stardek product line has been in use since 1972, and has proven time and again to be a leader in the coating industry. - Q) How do I clean the Stardek surface? A) Usually, normal washing with a hose is all that is needed. For stubborn stains, a brush with laundry or dishwashing detergent is all that is needed. PC&C also includes a free bottle of Stardek cleaning solution with every installation. - Q) Is this going to mess up my lawn or deck? A) We take the utmost care in making sure that nothing outside of the decorative concrete is affected. This includes washing down (and scrubbing if necessary!) any splatter that may have gotten onto walls, grass, decking, or any other indoor or outdoor object within the work area proximity. - Q) Does weather make a big difference in how you work with concrete? A) Yes. Precipitation and humidity, heat and cold, and available light all play important roles in how the concrete cures. To sum it up, the closer the outside environment is to the wet cement, the better the concreet will cure. Blankets, plastic sheeting, and heaters can help the curing process. - |
|||
 |
|||