FAQ

I just poured new concrete. When can it be stained?

Depending on several things like temperature and humidity, with few exceptions, stains and sealers require a 30 to 45 day cure time. Concrete hydrates during cure. As it cures moisture dissipates from the slab. If it is sealed too soon the water vapors may build up and push the stain and sealer off.

 

How do you treat cracks in the concrete prior to installation?

Widening a crack and/or filling it with a special super-duper epoxy compound generally does not work. Smearing a crack with polymer cement won’t fix a crack either. That crack is going to remain in the concrete, Period! The best thing is to very carefully fill a crack with a flexible product (depending on choice of stain). A crack can be tolerated if it’s hidden and disguised in the pattern. On badly cracked or poor quality concrete, we often engrave a design such as flagstone or cobblestone which can disguise the cracks in the cuts. Many times very ugly concrete makes beautiful stones.

How is the color of hard existing concrete changed?

There are proven methods that you can use to change the color of ordinary gray concrete. Penetrating acrylic and Reactive Acid Chemical (RAC) stains can give a wide variation of looks. From a solid uniform color to a marbled, variegated, aged or antique appearance.

 

Will the color fade?

Nothing is completely impervious to the sun’s UV rays. Everybody’s colors change. Fade? Maybe a little. Many times a color actually becomes darker. Changes in the color of a stain outside are very slow and span many years, especially when they are routinely maintained with a clear sealer.

How thick is it?

There is no thickness added. The grooving process cuts the concrete to give an appearance of a grout line and that gives the look of depth and texture.

What if inclement weather arises and my installer needs to stop in the middle of a job?

If it rains or gets too hot for your installer to continue, don’t worry. It won’t damage the finished product. The installer will simply return when they are able and start where they left off. Our easily adaptable product is very important due to things that are beyond your control. Some phases, like the application of stain or sealer should be finished, but generally, it’s not a big setback to simply stop the work.

How does weather effect the installation process?

Although it may not be practical, concrete can be engraved on the coldest or the hottest days. The concrete surface temperature needs to be between 50 to 90 degrees for the application of stains and sealers.

After several years, what if my customer wants to change colors?

Depending on the customer’s wishes and products used, there are multiple ways to change the color and appearance of an existing job.