Frequent Asked Questions
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Concrete and cement are two different things. Although, they are often interchanged for one another, they are simply not the same. In fact, you can easily tell them apart. Concrete is a combination of different ingredients including cement, water, and different aggregates which include sand, stones, and others. So basically, cement is a component of concrete. The cement is the gray powder that is the result of burning clay and lime together. It’s main purpose in the concrete is to bind all the ingredients together. To put it simply, concrete is a mixture of several different ingredients and it includes cement.
Concrete comes in different kinds. Here in our company, we offer different kinds of concrete to suit all the needs of our clients. They have unique characteristics, especially because they vary in strength, workability, size, and durability. Our products include high density concrete, reinforced concrete, ordinary concrete, prestressed concrete, lightweight concrete, prestressed concrete, and glass reinforced concrete. If you feel overwhelmed or confused about the number of choices available, we can certainly extend a hand for you. We can help evaluate the best choice for your depending on your needs and preferences. If interested, you can call us at 360-995-1179.
As a concrete contractor in Vancouver, we would certainly recommend hiring a concrete contractor to assist you. Concrete is not an easy material to work with. Unlike other material types, it requires more than knowledge but expertise and experience as well. Moreover, it is also important to note that the mistakes on the concrete can often be irreversible. So, if you want to see the best results and ensure of the best outcome, hiring professionals to work on your project would certainly be the smartest thing to do. It will definitely be more convenient as well as it will ensure efficiency.
Yes, concrete can set in the rain. However, it may come with adverse effects in the end. For example, concrete that was left to set in the rain may instantly show scaling and dusting. Additionally, it can also leave the concrete weaker than it should be. So the rain does not only affect the appearance of the concrete but its quality as well. All in all, it ends up compromising the overall quality of concrete. Essentially, allowing concrete to set in the rain is a risk that you should be willing to take. Otherwise, make sure to pour concrete on a nice weather.
Yes, you can certainly paint concrete to the color of your preference. The best color choice varies greatly per each property depending on the theme and style. When buying a concrete paint, make sure to look for the specific type for your concrete to ensure the best results. Also, see to it to read the label prior and follow the instructions. Meanwhile, if you do not prefer the solid effect that concrete painting brings, you can also try concrete staining. This process also modifies the original color of the concrete however, it gives a more transparent color and luminous glow.
Concrete cracks for a lot of different reasons. Some of the most prevalent reasons include the weather and the volume changes. The weather dictates the temperature. For areas like Vancouver that goes through natural freeze and thaw temperatures, we are more likely to witness cracks on concrete due to this condition. However, you can make sure to avoid it from happening by properly using concrete joints. The recommended size for concrete joints is about ¼ inch thickness. It should be enough space for the concrete. For the best assistance with this, make sure to hire a concrete contractor in Vancouver.
We strongly suggest waiting for at least seven days before driving on the concrete. Meanwhile, if you are using it for trucks, we suggest waiting for about 30 days. The vehicle weighs a considerable amount, which means that the concrete would need time to gain strength of that much. The proper curing time is vital in making sure that the concrete has dried up sufficiently and that it has the strength it needs for the force and weight it has to sustain. More than the strength, waiting for the proper time can also help further prolong the life of concrete.
The concrete sealer provides protection on the concrete. It prevents penetration of salt and moisture into the concrete. Both of these can be detrimental to the quality of concrete if left unattended. The best time to apply a concrete sealer is 30 days after pouring the concrete. By that time, the concrete has dried up sufficiently. Before applying the concrete, ensure that the surface is dry to ensure the best absorption. As time goes by, the concrete sealer will wear thin, so we advise reapplying every 2 to 3 years or as needed. The need for reapplication varies for each type.
Yes, the weather can surely affect the concrete. As we have discussed previously, allowing concrete to set in the pouring rain can end up compromising the overall quality and strength of concrete. Additional to that, the wind can also affect the quality of concrete as it has the potential to speed up the drying of concrete. For us here in Vancouver, it is recommended to heat the ingredients prior to concrete installation. This process can prevent the ingredients from freezing before hardening. Moreover, we also suggest to cover the poured concrete as it dries up to keep it from freezing.
To be honest, asphalt is only less expensive in the beginning. As compared to concrete, asphalt is not as durable and firm. It can instantly incur damages and need immediate repairs. The costs of getting repairs can later on accumulate, which can make asphalt more expensive in the long run. Often, opting for concrete is the smarter choice to make. Since it is durable and strong, it can withstand through time and impact without needing much repairs. While it tends to be more expensive in the beginning, the cost per use as time goes by will surely end up decreasing.
Almost every concrete company in Vancouver follows the rule of 6’s for their concrete mix. It has been tested through time and has proven results. The rule of 6’s says to maintain a minimum of 6% of air content in the concrete. Next, it says to put at least 6 gallons of water per each bag of cement. The third rule says to use a minimum of six bags per every cubic yard of concrete. The last rule of 6’s is to wait for a minimum of 6 days before using the concrete. If you want the best results, use these proportions.
Yes, concrete can be recycled, and we are proud to say that we are among concrete companies in our area who complies with the processes and protocols that are necessary to have concrete recycled. If you will undergo a concrete demolition and removal project with us, all the concrete that will result from dismantling the structure will be brought to the appropriate sites where they can be recycled. We will also be in charge of loading these into the trucks and in transporting them to the places tasked for renewing concrete so that it can be used again for construction.
We believe that it is important to test concrete because it is impossible to determine its true quality just by merely looking at it. The test can help identify the concrete’s unit weight, air content, temperature, and consistency. By adding up all of these factors, it can determine the quality of concrete. There are different concrete tests available. Some requires hardened concrete while others would need freshly mixed concrete. There are also specific tests which are exclusive to certain organizations like that of the department of transportation. You can ask the assistance of a concrete company if you want to test your concrete.
Concrete is very easy to maintain. Should there be stains on your concrete you can choose between the wet and dry method depending on what suits you better. The dry method includes the use of different ways like scabbing, scouring, planning, sandblasting, flame cleaning, shot blasting, and grinding. You can also use steel brush if you wish to. Just ensure that no steel debris is left behind that may cause rust stains. For the wet methods, you can use water and soap, together with chemicals like bleach. Rest assured that you can soak concrete in water because it is waterproof.
Concrete is one of the most sought-after building materials because of its promising features. There are not many materials that can provide the strength and durability that concrete can. Moreover, it is truly exceptional because it can be customized up to the smallest tiniest detail. It can easily adapt to different types of property while ensuring the best performance. Even though it tends to be more expensive than average material, it can surely deliver to your expectations. So if you are looking for a material that can last long and yet is exceptional, then make sure that you opt for concrete.
The gray color of concrete is due to its primary component which is cement. Meanwhile, the gray color of cement is because of one its main component which is iron ore. Although iron ore is black originally, it eventually turns gray as it mixes with other cement ingredients. Considering that the concrete’s default color is gray and neutral, it often comes off as too underwhelming for property owners. So, to give them a choice, we decided to offer additional services like concrete staining and concrete painting. Through these means, you can choose the color that will suit your property best.
Drying out is a necessary process that allows concrete to gain the strength it needs. Essentially, the concrete has moisture in it, considering that water is among the components that makes it up. As the moisture content dries up, new compounds in the concrete form, and this is the process of hydration. Through this chemical process the concrete gets to gain strength. Hydration will continuously happen for 30 days or as long as there is moisture content. Meanwhile, if you’ve reached your desired hardness level, you can opt to manually stop the process of hydration by keeping it away from moisture.