FAQs
Find answers to your concrete project FAQs. From driveways to foundations, learn why Complete Concrete Services is the trusted choice in northern MN.
If maintained properly and cared for, concrete should last between 20-30 years.
Although often used interchangeably – even by some construction professionals – cement is not concrete nor is concrete cement. Cement is one of the basic ingredients used to make concrete. It is basically a powdery substance made by burning clay and lime. When cement is mixed with other basic ingredients: sand, gravel or stone, and water, the cement and water react to form a paste that glues the remaining ingredients into a rock-like mass which is known as concrete.
Concrete can be poured without reservation when the daytime temperature is above 40 degrees.
The steps involved in a concrete project will vary depending on the size and complexity of your project. However, some of the common steps include:
- Preparation: The first step is to prepare the site for the concrete. This includes removing any debris, leveling the ground, and adding a gravel base layer and reinforce with steel.
- Mixing: The next step is to mix the concrete. This is usually done by a concrete truck, but it can also be done by hand.
- Pouring: Once the concrete is mixed, it is poured into the form.
- Finishing: The final step is to finish the concrete. This can be done by screeding, floating, and curing.
Curing keeps your concrete at the appropriate moisture content. If the curing is not done correctly, it can cut the strength of your concrete by a large percentage. Proper curing also keeps your concrete from cracking and shrinking. 24-48 hours to dry, 28 days to fully cure and reach maximum strength.
These lines are called control joints. Control joints are pre-planned cracks designed to accommodate the expansion and shrinkage of concrete due to changes in temperature and moisture.
Periodically sealing your concrete offers several benefits. When properly applied, a sealer will help prevent surface defects by protecting your concrete from water absorption, deicing salts, abrasion, and stains. A sealer will also help bring out the natural beauty of your concrete and make it easier to clean.
Allow 24 hours for concrete to cure.
In most cases, 7-days of cure time is needed for the concrete to achieve the necessary strength for residential traffic. Cure times may vary depending on weather conditions, thickness and strength of the concrete. Driving on a concrete slab too soon can cause cracking and other permanent damage.
Being an Earthen material, concrete shrinks as it hardens. We place our concrete on supporting soil (gravel base, 4-6 inches) and reinforce it with steel. This prevents the concrete mass from shrinking too quickly. However, concrete always shrinks to the point that it creates internal forces that are greater than the strength of concrete. Cracks form to relieve those forces.
In most cases, the answer is no. Hairline cracks in a control joint are normal and do not indicate any structural problem. Cracks that have movement where one side moves independently to the other side should be investigated by a professional.
No, D-Icing will cause flaking. Sand should be used if needed.
There are multiple methods you can use to remove oil or grease stains from concrete. Small spills or spots can sometimes be removed with nothing more than a strong detergent and a scrub brush. For more stubborn stains, you may need to use a commercial concrete cleaner and degreaser or a microbial cleaner.