- On the first day of the job the area will be excavated and formed.
- The second day we will have the concrete poured.
- Before the concrete dries completely the colors will be applied and then the concrete will be stamped.
- Allow the concrete to cure for 48-72 hours, then we return to seal the concrete.
What happens if you stamp on concrete too soon?
If you begin stamping too soon, the concrete won't be firm enough to support the weight of workers or hold a well-defined imprint. If you start stamping too late, not only will stamping require more effort, you'll produce little or no texture with the stamps, especially as you reach the end of the job.
How deep can you stamp on concrete before staining?
Press your fingers into the concrete surface at several locations on the slab. If you leave a clean imprint about 3/16 to 1/4 inch deep, you can generally begin stamping. Another test is to place a stamp on the concrete and step on it.
How soon can you Seal Stamped concrete after laying?
Heavy rain will wash some of the cement out of freshly poured concrete, causing problems. This can soften the surface of the concrete, giving it a weaker quality and reducing its strength. How Soon Can You Seal Stamped Concrete? The stamped concrete will seal within a 2-4 days of being laid, as long as it is not mixed with latex.
How long does it take for stamped concrete to dry?
How Long for Stamped Concrete to Dry? Stamped concrete can take up to a few days before it’s completely dry. It should be safe for you and your family members to walk on the pavement after 12 hours.
How do you know when concrete is ready to stamp?
Press your fingers into the concrete surface at several locations on the slab. If you leave a clean imprint about 3/16 to 1/4 inch deep, you can generally begin stamping. Another test is to place a stamp on the concrete and step on it.
Can concrete be stamped after it is poured?
Fortunately, it is possible to place stamped concrete over existing concrete. Stamped concrete overlays are durable options for upgrading, repairing, and enhancing existing concrete.
Can you stamp hard concrete?
4:4913:22How to Stamp Concrete - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd see how the the squish up is here in between the between the stains or the stamps come togetherMoreAnd see how the the squish up is here in between the between the stains or the stamps come together you can take this while the concrete is still plastic.
How thick does concrete have to be to stamp it?
How thick is stamped concrete? Our standard slab is a minimum of four inches. Some situations will require us to pour six inches of concrete, and this would be discussed before the project takes place.
Can you pour a thin layer of concrete over existing concrete?
Yes, you can put new concrete over old concrete providing there are no issues such as significant cracks of frost heaves with your existing concrete. A new layer of concrete should be about two inches to ensure an even, strong coverage.
Do concrete overlays last?
Concrete overlays typically last 10-15 years but can last up to 25+ years if well-applied and maintained. The overlay material quality, the amount of prep work done to the concrete, and the amount of regular maintenance can impact the lifespan of a concrete overlay.
What are the disadvantages of stamped concrete?
Although stamped concrete may be simple to clean and requires no maintenance to retain its patterned appearance, one of its major disadvantages is that it lacks durability compared to other finished surfaces.
Is stamped concrete cheaper than pavers?
In terms of upfront cost, poured and stamped concrete tends to be the cheaper option. Concrete is fairly inexpensive, and you can cover a large plot of the land fairly quickly. Pavers are more expensive since each tile needs to be purchased individually. You will also pay more in labor costs for installation.
How do you fix a bad stamped concrete job?
I recommend wetting color patch materials with a 50:50 blend of concrete bonding polymer and water. Use a wooden tongue depressor or gloved finger to smear the color patch into the cracks. Soften the edges with a damp rag or sponge to blend the patch and color into the slab. Let these repairs cure for 24 hours.
Can you put stamped concrete over regular concrete?
CAN YOU DO STAMPED CONCRETE OVER OLD CONCRETE? Stamped concrete overlays can be used on new or existing concrete and on interior or exterior surfaces. They can even be applied to walls and other vertical surfaces.
Is stamped concrete hard to maintain?
Low-Maintenance Convenience While some cracking will occur over time, there's little you need to do to maintain your walkway on a yearly basis. Some stamped concrete features are sealed, which will require resealing after three to five years of use.
Can I pour concrete over old concrete?
You can put new concrete over old concrete. However, unresolved issues with your old concrete, such as cracks or frost heaves, will carry over to your new concrete if not taken care of. In addition, you must pour it at least 2 inches thick.
What to check before stamping concrete?
Test to see if the concrete is ready Before you begin stamping, check to see that the concrete has reached the right stage of plasticity. If you begin stamping too soon, the concrete won't be firm enough to support the weight of workers or hold a well-defined imprint.
How long after sealing concrete can you use a finish coat?
Seal the concrete Once the slab has cured sufficiently, you should apply a finish coat of sealer. Most manufacturers recommend applying the sealer several weeks later, after a light surface cleaning. Be careful not to apply the sealer too heavily, which could trap moisture in the slab.
What happens if you start stamping too late?
If you start stamping too late, not only will stamping require more effort, you'll produce little or no texture with the stamps, especially as you reach the end of the job . Press your fingers into the concrete surface at several locations on the slab.
How long does it take for a concrete slab to absorb water?
After the first shake of color hardener has been applied to the surface, give it five to 10 minutes to absorb water from the concrete and then float it into the surface.
Why is it important to place the first row of stamps on a straight line?
It's important to place the first row of stamps on a straight line because that will serve as the benchmark for the rest of the job. If it's not perfectly straight, the rest of the rows will be out of alignment as well. Use a string line as a guide, especially for aligning stamp patterns that are square or rectangular.
How to make concrete look plastic?
1. Apply color hardener After the concrete reaches the right stage of plasticity (generally when no bleedwater is on the surface), broadcast the color hardener by throwing it onto the surface from waist level or a bit lower to minimize the amount of material that drifts into the air.
How to apply liquid release agent to concrete?
To apply a liquid release agent, use a pump-type sprayer to apply the release in a uniform layer onto the surface of the concrete right before you stamp . If you plan to use a tinted liquid release agent, add the tint a day or two beforehand if possible. This will allow the pigment particles to fully dissolve. 3.
How long does it take for stamped concrete to dry?
Stamped concrete can take up to a few days before it’s completely dry. It should be safe for you and your family members to walk on the pavement after 12 hours. But make sure that no heavy objects are placed on top of the surface until fully dried in order not to damage any freshly laid cement patches or newly made stamped concrete joints between ...
How is stamped concrete done?
How Stamped concrete is done. The homeowner will choose the colors and pattern for their project. On the first day of the job the area will be excavated and formed. The second day we will have the concrete poured. Before the concrete dries completely the colors will be applied and then the concrete will be stamped.
Why is my concrete sealer white?
Moisture trapped within the sealer causes a white or gloomy appearance. However, if the weather is too hot and humid, the sealer surface can dry faster than the moisture can escape. The sealer was applied in an excessively thick layer. Concrete sealers must be applied in small, even coats.
How long does it take for concrete to dry before sealing?
If the mixture includes latex, then an additional 7 days should be allotted for drying time before sealing can take place or else water may seep in and ruin your freshly-laid stamping work! It is best to wait at least two days before sealing stamped concrete such as raised pads.
How long can dogs walk on concrete?
Wait two or three hours after the concrete has been sealed before stepping on it. Please keep in mind that dogs should stay off the concrete for 72 hours after the sealer has been applied because their nails will scratch the sealer. Stamped concrete should be maintained ...
How long does it take for concrete to cure?
Before the concrete dries completely the colors will be applied and then the concrete will be stamped. Allow the concrete to cure for 48-72 hours, then we return to seal the concrete.
What happens when you rain on concrete?
Heavy rain will wash some of the cement out of freshly poured concrete, causing problems . This can soften the surface of the concrete, giving it a weaker quality and reducing its strength.
What type of sealer is used for stamped concrete?
Although there are many types of sealers on the market, the primary type of sealer used for exterior stamped concrete is a solvent- or water- based acrylic. Many manufacturers produce products that both cure and seal the concrete and are applied the same day of the pour or within the first few days.
What is the best mix for stamping?
Using the right mix design. The best mix design is the one that works in your area and fulfills your needs. The concrete mix is probably one of the most misunderstood aspects of stamping, especially for newcomers to the process. Concrete is not a generic product that is the same from pour to pour.
Can concrete set at the same rate?
Otherwise, it will not set at the same rate and you could get plastic shrinkage cracking in the thicker areas during stamping due to the differential setting times. One of the most important aspects of any concrete installation is properly preparing the subgrade.
Can you apply sealer too early?
Don't be impatient and apply sealers too early or too thickly in one coat. Be sure to read the sealer manufacturer's specifications and adhere to the guidelines for when to apply the sealer and how long to wait between coats. Trust me, it will save you many headaches and even a few hairs, if you're lucky.
How long does it take to cut stamped concrete?
Washing and Cutting Stamped Concrete. Your contractor will wash and cut the concrete slab once the concrete is ready, which is usually 12-24 hours after the concrete is poured. Although you may not want saw cuts, as they may take away from the natural look, they are absolutely necessary. Be sure to discuss the location of saw cuts ...
What color is stamped concrete?
Most stamped concrete has two colors: a base color and an accent color. There are two ways to create the base color for new concrete: integral color and color hardener. With either method the end result of your stamped concrete will emphasize this color. Integral color is mixed into the concrete in the truck.
What are the different types of stamped concrete?
Stamped concrete can be broken into five basic pattern types: Brick, Stone, Slate, Wood and Texture. Obviously these are just basic categories, but using these as a reference will help you narrow which patterns to look at first.
When do you see the color of concrete?
Once the area is thoroughly cleaned , you will see the integral color with accents of the release color. However, final colors will not appear until the concrete is sealed and fully cured.
Can you use non-slip wax on exterior sealant?
Use of a non-slip additive when sealing is recommended on exterior applications and a non-slip wax on interior applications.
Does stamped concrete need to be sealed?
Surfaces that will be subjected to car traffic, de-icing salts or chemical exposure may exhibit wear more quickly. In most cases stamped concrete does not need to be sealed every year.
