Frequent Asked Questions
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No, concrete and cement are not the same. They are often interchanged for each other because they are related closely. Concrete is a combination of different materials. It includes sand, water, stone, other aggregates, and cement. So cement is a component of concrete. But cement is not concrete. To simply explain it, cement is the gray powder that you would often see in construction sites. It is responsible in binding all the ingredients together as it turns into a sticky substance when it blends with the water. Also, cement is mainly responsible in giving the concrete the gray color that it has.
Yes, concrete comes in different kinds to fit into the different needs of property owners. Here at our company we offer ordinary concrete, glass reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, high density concrete, lightweight concrete, reinforced concrete, and precast concrete. These types of concrete vary in durability, workability, size, and strength. We know that these types of services can be overwhelming. If you need assistance in identifying the kind of concrete that will fit your need, make sure to consult with a concrete company in Pittsburgh. Getting professionals to assist you can help you stay on the right path to ensure best results.
We believe that all property owners should hire a concrete contractor for every concrete project. It is a very common misconception that concrete is easy to work around. But the truth is, concrete is quite complex. It requires expertise, knowledge, and experience to get the best results. The lack of one of these requirements can lead to failure or mistakes. If the owner has no prior knowledge or experience on the matter, getting a concrete contractor in Pittsburgh would be the smartest choice. It can altogether ensure the success of the project and it can minimize the chances of committing mistakes.
Yes, it can. So if you’ve poured concrete and rain suddenly drops, there is nothing to worry about as it will still set in. However, it may come with possible adverse effects. First, it can affect the appearance of the concrete. Since the concrete has not set yet, the rain can leave watermarks due to the drops or the waterflow. Second, the rain can also lead to dusting and scaling. These are bad indications as these suggest weakening of the concrete. In summary, allowing concrete to set in the rain can compromise the overall quality and strength of the concrete.
For sure, you can paint your concrete. If you are particular about how your property looks, you can certainly use paint to make sure that your concrete fits perfectly in the style and theme of your property. But it is important to remember to pick a type of paint that suits the kind of concrete you have. By doing so, you get to ensure that the paint adheres to the concrete nicely. Also make sure to follow the instructions on the label for the best outcome. The choice of color also plays a crucial role in ensuring the overall results.
It is natural for concrete to crack overtime. However, there can be several reasons as to why it happened. For example, concrete will naturally crack due to the inevitable volume change it goes through over time. Another reason for cracks could be weather. As we have mentioned earlier, rain can result to scaling and dusting. Eventually these can lead to cracks. Wind can also lead to concrete cracks as well as it causes the concrete to dry up quickly. To prevent these concrete cracks, we suggest to opt for concrete joints that are about ¼ inch of the slab thickness.
The ideal waiting time before driving on the concrete is seven days. After a week since pouring concrete, the concrete has dried up sufficiently to carry the weight of the vehicle without falling apart. Unlike other materials, concrete needs time before use. However, we can assure you that it would be worth the wait. Meanwhile, if a heavier vehicle, like trucks and heavy equipment, will be using the driveway, we suggest waiting longer, which is about 30 days. All these waiting time and tiny inconveniences will surely be worth it. If you are interested, you can call us at 412-725-2024.
The concrete sealer provides a protection on the concrete. In the long run, it makes the concrete last long. The concrete sealer works by adding a layer of protection which prevents moisture and salt from penetrating through the cement. With that, it helps keep hairline cracks and peeling from occurring. So more than it ensures its life, it also helps preserve the appearance of the concrete. The best time to apply a concrete sealer is 30 days after pouting. It is also important to reapply every 2 to 3 years or as needed. Over time, expect the concrete sealer to wear out.
Yes, the weather and temperature affect the concrete. During concrete installation, it is very important to take note of where you are or the prevailing temperature of the season you are in. These factors will dictate as to what conditions your materials need. For example, if you are in tropical state during the summer, it would be best to cool the concrete ingredients prior to installation. Through this, you get to ensure that the components won’t get too warm. Meanwhile, if you are in a colder state on a winter, you will need to keep the concrete ingredients from freezing.
The truth is asphalt is not less expensive than concrete. In fact, concrete is only expensive upfront, but asphalt tends to be expensive in the long run. As compared to concrete, the asphalt deteriorates at a faster rate. Over a short period, it is likely to instantly require repairs. But since it is not of the best quality, it would be a repeating cycle of needing repairs. Before you know it, you have already spent more than you would if you opt for concrete. As for concrete, it is durable enough to last long without falling apart and needing repairs.
The majority of concrete companies in Pittsburgh follow the rule of 6’s. Through the years, it has been proven to be the best mix that can facilitate the best concrete quality. The first rule of 6’s says to use at least six bags of cement per each cubic yard of concrete. The second rule of 6’s says to maintain at least 6% of air content for concrete that experiences freeze and thaw climates. Third rule says to use a minimum of six gallons of water per every bag of cement. Finally, allow the concrete to dry and cure for 6 days.
There are several reasons as to why concrete cracks. The reason may vary on case to case basis. But one of the most common causes for concrete cracks is weather. As aforementioned, different weather conditions like rain and wind can affect the concrete causing it to crack. Another reason as to why concrete cracks is the volume change. Even though it is minimal at 500 millionths or 1/16 inch per 10 ft, it can significantly affect the concrete by appearing as concrete cracks. The best solution that we can recommend to avoid these concrete cracks is to maximize the use of concrete joints.
It is necessary to test concrete to be sure of the overall quality of the concrete. Unlike other products which you can evaluate just by looking and feeling it, concrete is different. It is impossible to determine how strong or durable it is just by seeing it. The test evaluates the concrete by looking at its temperature, weight, consistency, and air content. By identifying all of these factors, it gets to determine the quality of the concrete. There are various tests available, but if you are unsure, it would be best to consult with a concrete company in Pittsburgh for assistance.
If you have hard to remove stains on the concrete, there are two methods that you can use to eliminate them: dry method and wet method. Different from other materials, concrete is waterproof so you can wash it with water and soap if you wish to. But aside from just water and soap, the wet method also includes using chemicals like bleach. Meanwhile for the dry method, you can use techniques like scouring, scabbing, flame cleaning, planning, and sandblasting. We also recommend using a steel brush if you wish to. Clean up all the steel debris left behind to prevent rust stains.
Concrete is one of the most promising materials for building, It is a combination of different components like cement, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, and water. Concrete is perfect for any kind of structure. If you are looking for something that can last long without falling apart, then this is the best choice. It is easy to customize so regardless of the style or shape you want; concrete can definitely be a workable material. Should you decide to use concrete for your project, we highly recommend hiring a Pittsburgh concrete contractor to assist you. They can ensure both convenience and success of the project.
Concrete is gray primarily because of its main component which is cement. Meanwhile, cement acquires its gray color from one of its ingredients which is iron ore. Even though, iron ore is originally black it turns gray as it mixes with the other ingredients of cement. This gray color has not been ideal for most property owners. To be able to cater to this particular group who are concerned about the appearance, we introduced concrete staining and stamped concrete as solutions. If you are interested, you can call us at 412-725-2024. We would be glad to provide you with further help and assistance.
No, concrete does not gain strength because of drying out. Concrete gains strength because of a chemical process called hydration. During this time, as moisture evaporates from the concrete over time, new bonds form. As it happens, the new chemical bonds provide the strength for concrete. Hydration would continually happen through time so long as there is moisture content within the concrete. It can happen for 30 days or longer depending on how much moisture it contains. Upon reaching your desired hardness level, you can opt to manually stop the process through different methods. For clarifications, call us at 412-725-2024.