Concrete FAQs

A concrete finisher is a professional tradesperson who works with concrete in engineering and building projects by installing, finishing, protecting, and repairing it. Concrete finishers are often in charge of laying the concrete forms, ensuring they have the proper depth and pitch.

Concrete is a structural material used in building that is made up of a hard, chemically inert particle component known as aggregate (often sand and gravel) that is cemented together by cement and water.

The primary distinction is that masonry is the name of a construction technique that uses other materials, while concrete is a sort of building material. Despite their differences, the two often coexist.

Inquire a lot of inquiries of your contractor and examine their references. Spend some time researching concrete construction.

A contractor must be properly insured in order to get a building permit. Request that your contractor’s insurance provider supply you with a Certificate of Insurance. If an employee gets hurt on the job, you don’t want to have to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance because the contractor was under or uninsured.

A self-performer contractor may deliver excellent work more quickly and consistently than a contractor that hires out labor and services.

Most ordinary double-wide driveways take no more than three days to complete from the time the old driveway is removed. Larger or more intricate tasks may need more time.

Many individuals are dismayed to find concrete trash put in an inappropriate location, such as a dark roadside, a creek bed, or on property that authorities are unaware of.

If a contractor and/or his suppliers are not paid, they may file a Lien on your property. The contractor’s Lien Waiver ensures that he has been paid for the finished job.

They are not the same thing, despite the fact that many people use the names interchangeably. Concrete is made from cement. Cement is combined with other ingredients, including water, to form a solid mass known as concrete.

Slump is the quantity of water in the concrete mix that determines its consistency. The lower the slump, the drier the mix. If more water is added to the mix than is required, the strength will be lowered and the surface will erode.

Before placing the concrete, topsoil must be removed. Topsoil and other organic materials are too brittle to sustain concrete slabs. The cement subgrade should include no organic material, which is critical for a high-quality concrete slab.

Concrete work involves both knowledge and competence. There are several essential talents that the ordinary homeowner lacks. Some fundamental abilities are necessary, such as the use of a hammer, chalk lines, and saws; however, additional specialist skills are required, such as the use of a straightedge, a concrete edger, a hand float, and others.

Aside from tool usage, additional areas of skill include site excavation, subgrade preparation, and concrete form placement. These locations, as well as the process of putting and polishing concrete, are very demanding. Furthermore, concrete is relatively heavy, and the project’s completion date is important. For all of these reasons and more, most homeowners believe that hiring a concrete contractor to complete their concrete job is important.

The ideal time range is three to seven days, depending on the weight that will be placed on it. Inquire with your concrete contractor about when your driveway will be ready to use again.

Before applying a sealant to your concrete, allow it to air dry for 30 days. A sealer prevents moisture from entering the concrete, preventing it from degrading during freezing and thawing cycles. Sealers often last a number of years, but check with your concrete contractor for particular application rates.

Curing maintains the proper moisture content of your concrete. If curing is not done properly, it may significantly reduce the strength of your concrete. Proper curing also prevents cracking and shrinkage in your concrete.

Concrete must be cleaned on a regular basis by sweeping and hosing it. Wet leaves should be kept away from concrete since they might discolor it.