Frequent Asked Questions
Home » Frequent Asked Questions
No, concrete is not the same with cement. While these two are related closely, they are two different things. To clarify simply, concrete is a combination of different materials including cement and other materials like aggregates, stone, sand, and water. Therefore, cement is the primary component of concrete. Cement is the gray powder that you would often see in construction sites. Its main responsibility is to keep all the concrete ingredients intact. As you can see, these are very distinct from each other. By knowing these key differences, you should be able to tell the difference between these two materials.
There are different kinds of concrete. Each of these have unique sets of features that property owners can capitalize on accordingly. Here at our concrete company, some examples of the kinds of concrete that we offer include high density concrete, lightweight concrete, glass reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, reinforced concrete, precast concrete, and of course ordinary concrete. If you feel overwhelmed by the number of choices available, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We can provide you with helpful information to guide you. Moreover, we can also guide you all throughout by providing you concrete installation services as well.
Yes, absolutely. As a concrete contractor in Santa Rosa ourselves, we believe that it is ultimately important to hire a contractor to do the concrete. Working with an expert ensures the best outcome of the project. Moreover, it can also provide convenience and assurance to the property owner. There is a big misconception about concrete. People often think that it is simple and easy to install. However, little do they know that concrete requires experience. Because it is only through experience that you will be able to learn both skill and timing. Having firsthand experience in concrete surely makes the difference.
The simple answer is yes. However, it may come with drawbacks. For example, allowing concrete to set in the rain can leave permanent watermarks on the concrete, affecting the overall appearance. Considering the characteristic of concrete, it can be irreversible and permanently stay there. Additionally, rain can also affect the strength of concrete. If you pour concrete whilst raining, you may notice scaling and dusting. These signs can be indicators of compromised quality. In summary, rain has adverse effects on concrete. If you would rather not have these unfortunate consequences, ensure to avoid allowing concrete to set in the rain.
Yes, you can definitely paint concrete. In fact, there are different types of concrete paint that will suit different types of concrete. If you wish to paint your concrete, make sure to use the most suited type of paint. At the same time, also make sure to follow the instructions on the label for the best results. Meanwhile, if you are not fond of the solid effect from painting concrete, we also offer concrete staining as an option. It can appear differently than painting but also modifies the plain gray color of concrete. Whichever you end up choosing, guaranteed of a wonderful outcome.
Concrete cracks for a lot of reasons. In fact, cracks are a natural occurrence for concrete. Over time concrete goes through volume change, which we will discuss further later on. Another reason as to why concrete cracks involves the weather. For one, the rain can affect both the appearance and the strength of concrete. The wind, on the other hand, can cause cracks to appear on the surface. If you do not prefer seeing cracks on your concrete, we suggest using concrete joints. Make sure to use at least ¼ of the size of the thickness of concrete for best outcome.
We suggest waiting for at least seven days before driving on your concrete. By waiting for this much time, you get to ensure that your concrete has gained sufficient strength to carry the entire weight of the vehicle. Remember that a vehicle weighs an average of 2 tons, which is certainly a lot. Knowing that, the concrete will need at least a week to gain that much strength. On the other hand, if you have trucks and heavy equipment driving on your driveway, we recommend waiting for at least 30 days instead since these weighs considerably more than average car.
The concrete sealer can give a layer of protection on the concrete. It basically protects the concrete from moisture as well as salt penetration. So, applying concrete sealer adds to the durability of concrete, making it last even longer, Additionally, concrete sealer also helps prevent peeling and hairline cracks, since these occurrences can be unsightly. If you are considering applying concrete sealer, make sure to wait for at least 30 days to make sure that the concrete has fully dried up. Remember that the concrete sealer does not last long so make sure to reapply every 2 to 3 years.
Yes, concrete gets affected by the weather. We have mentioned earlier how the rain can end up compromising the overall quality of the concrete, including both its strength and appearance. Wind can also affect concrete by speeding up the drying process. If the drying up happens too quickly, it can affect the quality of the concrete as well. Aside from these, the snow can also affect the concrete materials. It can cause it to freeze before installation. We would suggest heating up the materials to avoid it from happening. But luckily for us here at Santa Rosa, we don’t have to.
You must choose concrete over asphalt as it can give your money’s worth. Unlike asphalt, concrete can last long without needing repairs. Needless to say, that it can survive the test of time. On the other hand, asphalt deteriorates fast due to constant use. It is basically its nature. Once it requires repairs, it is the beginning of an endless cycle of repairs and damage. Before you know it, you’ve spent more than you would for concrete. In summary, concrete is the smarter option. Although it is more expensive upfront, concrete is definitely more durable and more economical to use.
The best mix proportions for concrete is the rule of 6’s. If you are unfamiliar, it is one of the most common combination that concrete companies in Santa Rosa uses. The first rule of 6’s says to maintain at least 6% of air content for concrete that goes through freeze and thaw climates. Next rule is to use a minimum of six gallons of water for each bag of cement. The third rule of 6’s is to use at least six bags of cement for each cubic yard of concrete. Last is to wait for a minimum of 6 days before use.
The concrete cracks for a lot of different reasons and that includes weather and concrete volume changes. The weather can affect concrete in a lot of different ways. As aforementioned, moisture, rain, and wind can all adversely affect concrete. Another very common reason for concrete cracks is volume change. To explain simply, concrete goes through volume changes over time. The average change is very minimal at 500 millionths. However, it may appear as cracks on your concrete. If you are particular on the appearance of your concrete, these cracks due to volume change are completely avoidable with the help of concrete joints.
It is advisable to test concrete because it helps ensure the overall quality of the concrete. Different types of concrete often look the same in appearance. Often, it varies in factors that the naked eyes don’t see and it includes consistency, weight, temperature, and air content. These factors make up the overall quality of concrete. By testing the concrete, you get to measure all of these and allows you to determine the overall quality of the concrete. There are different tests available. But some tests are exclusive to specific organizations like the department of transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.
There are multiple ways on how you can remove stains on your concrete. You can opt for either the wet or the dry method. Unlike other materials, concrete is waterproof, which means that it can get wet. So if there are stains, you can absolutely use water, soap, and other chemicals on it. At the same time, you can also opt for dry methods. Some that are often used on concrete include flame cleaning, planning, scouring, sandblasting, and scabbing. You can also use steel brush if you wish to. Just look out for steel debris to avoid forming rust stains.
Concrete is one of the most dependable materials for building. Property owners prefer it because of its durability, convenience, and versatility. The concrete is made up of different materials such as fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, water, and cement. It can be used for a lot of different purposes including pools, floorings, sidewalks, pathways, walkways, driveways, and foundations. If you want to get the best concrete fixtures, make sure to reach out to us. We have been in service since 2000 and we can assure you of the best service. If you have concerns and inquiries, you can call us at 707-385-5837.
The color gray of concrete comes from one of its main components which is cement. Cement, on the other hand, gets its gray color from one of its ingredients and that is iron ore. Although iron ore is black initially, it tends to turn gray as it mixes with other cement ingredients. This gray color has been one of the most infamous features of concrete. In the last 21 years, we have heard countless complains about it. So, with that we made sure to develop useful solutions like concrete staining and concrete painting. Property owners who are particular with appearance now have a choice.
Yes, concrete gains strength as it dries out. Basically, as moisture dries from the concrete, it begins to form new compounds, which are responsible for the strength of concrete. The process is called hydration. As long as there is moisture in the concrete, the process of hydration will continue. It means that the concrete will continue to harden as long as there is moisture in it. This process would normally last for at least 30 days or so. If your concrete has reached your desired hardness level, you can stop the hydration process with the use of an organic solvent.