Frequent Asked Questions
Home » Frequent Asked Questions
No, concrete is not the same as cement. However, these two things are closely related. Basically, concrete is a combination of different materials and cement is one component of it. To explain simply, cement is a gray powder substance than turns into a sticky mixture once it combines with water. On the other hand, concrete constitutes of different components such as stone, cement, water, and different aggregates. Many people tend to confuse these things with each other because of the way they are related. However, these things have notable differences that one should take note of, especially if conducting a project.
Yes, concrete comes in different kinds. The primary reason why concrete is available in different kinds is to cater to the varying needs of property owners. We are one of the concrete companies in San Bernardino that offer a wide variety of concrete kinds. It is part of our mission to give our clients options to make sure that we satisfy their needs. Among the concrete types that we offer include high density concrete, prestressed concrete, glass reinforced concrete, reinforced concrete, lightweight concrete, and then the ordinary concrete. In case you want to know more about these kinds, you can call us at 909 306 5897.
As a concrete contractor in San Bernardino, we strongly suggest getting a concrete company to assist you. Since we have been operating since 2008, we are well aware that most property owners are hesitant towards getting a concrete contractor because of the cost it entails. However, we cannot emphasize enough how the help of such professionals can make the project more efficient. With their knowledge on the matter, they can finish the job in the best time possible. Aside from that, these companies also have skilled workers and the right machineries for the job, which can ensure an efficient work.
Yes, concrete can set in the rain. However, it might lead to some adverse effects. On top of mind, allowing concrete to set in the rain may affect its appearance. If the rain is pouring hard, it can leave water marks on the concrete as it dries. If you are seeking for a nice looking concrete, then allowing it to set in the rain might not be an ideal scenario. Aside from the appearance, the rain can also affect the overall quality of the concrete. Often, concrete that set in the rain results to dusting and scaling, which may affect its strength.
Most definitely. It is a common misconception that concrete is only available in its plain gray color. Little do they know that they can paint it in any color that they want. Property owners can choose any color that they prefer or suits the style of their property. If you want to get the best results, we advise getting paint which suits the type of concrete you have. It is also important to follow the proper steps in application if you want it to last long. Meanwhile, if you like more subtle effect, then you can consider concrete staining instead.
There are lots of possible reasons as to why concrete cracks. Essentially, it naturally happens over time due to wear and tear. There is nothing to worry about if your concrete has been installed for a considerable amount of time. However, that is not always the case. In some instances, cracks may also be a sign of a bigger problem. If you are unsure of the cause of the cracks on your concrete, you can consult with a concrete company in San Bernardino. They can assist you in evaluating the state of your concrete. Besides that, they can also suggest what steps to take next.
The ideal curing time for driveways is seven days. Through this time, the concrete can dry sufficiently to sustain the weight of the vehicle. In case you end up driving on your concrete in less than a week, you should be prepared for the possible consequences. Mainly, it might end up compromising the quality of concrete. It might result to cracks early on. If you want to get the best out of your concrete, then make sure to allow seven days of curing time. Meanwhile, if trucks and other heavy vehicles will use your concrete, make sure to wait for a month instead.
As the name suggests, the concrete sealer acts as a sealer on the concrete. It provides protection for the concrete, which allows it to last longer. By sealing the edges, the concrete sealer keeps the salt and moisture from penetrating through the concrete. Aside from that, the concrete sealer also keeps hairline cracks from appearing on the surface of concrete. We suggest applying concrete sealer after 30 days of pouring the concrete. By this time, the concrete has dried up sufficiently. Since concrete sealers do not last forever, we recommend reapplying it every 2 to 3 years or as needed.
Yes, the weather certainly affects the concrete. The fact that concrete is often in the outdoors, regardless of purpose, it is often exposed to weather. Concrete is essentially weatherproof. But the changing weather conditions can be detrimental to the concrete. As mentioned earlier, the rain can adversely affect the concrete both in appearance and strength. But aside from the rain, the wind can also cause cracks on the concrete. These are inevitable circumstances that concrete needs to endure. Meanwhile, you can adjust accordingly when installing in extreme temperatures. You can choose to either cool or heat the concrete prior to pouring.
To tell you the truth, asphalt is only less expensive in the beginning. What do I mean by that? Well basically, if you compare asphalt and concrete in terms of strength, it is easy to deduce that concrete’s durability is a far cry from that of asphalt. Because of that, concrete can last way longer than asphalt. Given that situation, if you choose to use concrete for your property, then it will certainly last longer. In fact, it can even outlast a lifetime. Asphalt, on the other hand, is likely to need reapplication constantly, which will lead to more expenses in the long run.
To achieve the best concrete mix, we recommend following the rule of 6’s. The majority of concrete companies in San Bernardino follow this. Essentially, the rules of 6’s suggests the following. First is to use at least six gallons of water per bag of cement. Then, the next rule is to use a minimum of six bags of cement per each cubic yard of concrete. The third rule is to allot 6% of air content, more so if you are somewhere that experiences extreme temperatures. Lastly, the most important is to allow the concrete to cure for at least 6 days before using.
There are various possible reasons for concrete to crack. Among the most common reasons for this is the weather. Since the concrete is often placed outdoors, it is hard to protect it from different atmospheric conditions. Like we have discussed earlier, the rain can affect the concrete, especially during the curing stage. But aside from rain, the wind may also adversely affect the concrete. The wind can lead to the quick evaporation of moisture from the concrete, which can then lead to cracks. Another possible reason for concrete to crack is the natural volume change that it goes through over time.
We suggest testing concrete to give you assurance of the quality of concrete. Unlike other materials that you can evaluate the quality just by looking or touching it, concrete is quite different. It requires different tests to be able to properly tell some important features such as weight, content, temperature, and consistency. By adding up these factors together, it would be easier to assess the overall quality of concrete. Property owners can choose to test either hardened or mixed concrete. There are lots of companies and organizations that you can consult with that provides concrete testing services for property owners.
Stains in general are an eyesore. While the main goal has always been to eliminate the. There are different methods to use for different kinds of stains on different surfaces. For concrete, one can choose between wet method and dry method. For the wet method, you can use plain soap and water to scrub off the stain. If it’s not enough you can also use other cleaning agents like bleach. Meanwhile there are multiple options for the dry method and the choices include scouring, sandblasting, scabbing, planning, and flame cleaning. You also have the option to try using steel brush to get rid of stains.
Concrete is a combination of different materials that include water, coarse aggregates, fine aggregates, and cement. Concrete is one of the most popular material for structures such as buildings, homes, establishments, and others. Over the years, concrete has become one of the most favorite and among the most popular because of its ability to last long and sustain powerful strength. Aside from that, property owners love the fact that they can customize it according to their specific preferences. While it is not as cheap as other materials, it can certainly give value for money, which makes it worth the investment.
The primary reason as to why concrete is gray is because of cement, its main component. Since cement is a gray powder substance, it tends to dominate the mixture and gives the concrete a gray color. Meanwhile, cement gets its gray color from one of its ingredients, and that is iron ore. While iron ore is originally black, it turns gray as it combines with other cement components. While gray is neutral, there are many property owners who think it is too plain. With that many concrete companies are offering additional concrete services which are concrete staining and stamped concrete.
It is the process of hydration that gives concrete the strength it has. This process happens as the moisture content in the concrete dries out during the curing period. As hydration happens, new compounds form which leads to the increase of strength of the concrete. This chemical process happens in the first 30 days. However, it depends on how much moisture there is in the concrete. Hydration length may still be shorter or longer than average. It is important to remember to allow the drying up to happen naturally. Abnormal speeding up of the process may compromise the quality of concrete.