Kingston Concrete
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Kingston Concrete
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One of the most overlooked aspects of any construction project is the foundation. You need to remember that the entire job will be sitting on the foundation. If the foundation work is poorly performed, then the rest of the project will be a disaster. One of the most important things to do when preparing the sub-grade and sub-base is to ensure it is properly compacted. The experts at Kingston Concrete will ensure that this is properly performed.
Install the Form Work and Reinforcement
Next is installing the form work. This consists of the “box” where the driveway will be poured. Because concrete is a liquid, it needs to be contained, and thus the form work is crucial.
Installing reinforcement is also a good idea. Common reinforcements include wire mesh and re-bar. The representative from Kingston Concrete will help you decide what sort of reinforcement you should install.
Pour and Finish The Concrete
This is the part where the concrete arrives on site and is poured into the formwork. One thing to note is that before the pour occurs, the weather conditions need to be checked. If the installers do not believe the weather conditions are ideal, then pouring should be postponed until the weather conditions are ideal.
When the concrete arrives on site, a couple checks should be performed. One is the slump, which looks at the “liquidity” of the concrete, and determines if it is within the specifications. The other is the air entrainment. The air entrainment test evaluates the percentage of air bubbles found in the concrete. In northern climates (where temperatures reach below zero), having the right amount of air in the concrete will ensure the longevity of the concrete even during the harsh free-thaw cycles that occur in the Kingston area.
Once it is poured, it needs to be finished. Finishing concrete means smoothing it out.
Stamp the Concrete
After a bit of time (which the installers will decide) has passed, the concrete will be stamped. This steps first involves adding the colour. One of the best practices when adding the colour powder is to use a technique called “broadcasting”. This involved using a brush to throw the colouring powder onto the concrete. This is better than throwing by hand because it diminished the chance of having clumps of powder which can negatively affect the appearance.
After the colour has been added, a release agent is added. A release agent ensures the stamps used to create the design do not stick to the concrete.
Then the team will stamp the concrete, using the patterns which were selected by the client.
Curing
Once the concrete has been poured and stamped, it is important to cure the concrete. Curing basically means ensuring there is sufficient moisture in order for the chemical reaction which occurs between water and cement to occur. This can be achieved by using a curing compound which will prevent the loss of moisture from the concrete, or by installing burlap which is wet over top of the concrete. Your installation team will decide which method they will use.
Ensure there are Expansion Joints
Concrete, like any other material will expand and contract with the change in temperature. It is important to have expansion joints to control the cracking. Expansion joints force the concrete to crack during this expansion and contraction process in areas which are less visible. Depending on the pattern chosen, expansion joints may be simple lines that are cut into the concrete, or it may follow the lines created in the pattern. This will be discussed during the initial stage of the project, and the installation crew will make the expansion joints when they see fit.
Clean the Concrete and Apply a Sealer
After about 24 to 72 hours (your installation team will decide this), the concrete will be pressure washed to remove any debris, and then a concrete sealer will be applied. The sealer will protect the concrete and improve its longevity.
Those are your basic steps. Your experts at Kingston Concrete will follow the steps outlined above, and many more to ensure your concrete stamping job exceeds your expectations. Once the job has been completed, several steps should be taken to ensure the longevity of the job. Basic maintenance (brooming the area), and removing any grease stains should be performed on a regular maintenance. Your representative will provide you with any other information you may need in order to maintain your project.
Install the Form Work and Reinforcement
Next is installing the form work. This consists of the “box” where the driveway will be poured. Because concrete is a liquid, it needs to be contained, and thus the form work is crucial.
Installing reinforcement is also a good idea. Common reinforcements include wire mesh and re-bar. The representative from Kingston Concrete will help you decide what sort of reinforcement you should install.
Pour and Finish The Concrete
This is the part where the concrete arrives on site and is poured into the formwork. One thing to note is that before the pour occurs, the weather conditions need to be checked. If the installers do not believe the weather conditions are ideal, then pouring should be postponed until the weather conditions are ideal.
When the concrete arrives on site, a couple checks should be performed. One is the slump, which looks at the “liquidity” of the concrete, and determines if it is within the specifications. The other is the air entrainment. The air entrainment test evaluates the percentage of air bubbles found in the concrete. In northern climates (where temperatures reach below zero), having the right amount of air in the concrete will ensure the longevity of the concrete even during the harsh free-thaw cycles that occur in the Kingston area.
Once it is poured, it needs to be finished. Finishing concrete means smoothing it out.
Stamp the Concrete
After a bit of time (which the installers will decide) has passed, the concrete will be stamped. This steps first involves adding the colour. One of the best practices when adding the colour powder is to use a technique called “broadcasting”. This involved using a brush to throw the colouring powder onto the concrete. This is better than throwing by hand because it diminished the chance of having clumps of powder which can negatively affect the appearance.
After the colour has been added, a release agent is added. A release agent ensures the stamps used to create the design do not stick to the concrete.
Then the team will stamp the concrete, using the patterns which were selected by the client.
Curing
Once the concrete has been poured and stamped, it is important to cure the concrete. Curing basically means ensuring there is sufficient moisture in order for the chemical reaction which occurs between water and cement to occur. This can be achieved by using a curing compound which will prevent the loss of moisture from the concrete, or by installing burlap which is wet over top of the concrete. Your installation team will decide which method they will use.
Ensure there are Expansion Joints
Concrete, like any other material will expand and contract with the change in temperature. It is important to have expansion joints to control the cracking. Expansion joints force the concrete to crack during this expansion and contraction process in areas which are less visible. Depending on the pattern chosen, expansion joints may be simple lines that are cut into the concrete, or it may follow the lines created in the pattern. This will be discussed during the initial stage of the project, and the installation crew will make the expansion joints when they see fit.
Clean the Concrete and Apply a Sealer
After about 24 to 72 hours (your installation team will decide this), the concrete will be pressure washed to remove any debris, and then a concrete sealer will be applied. The sealer will protect the concrete and improve its longevity.
Those are your basic steps. Your experts at Kingston Concrete will follow the steps outlined above, and many more to ensure your concrete stamping job exceeds your expectations. Once the job has been completed, several steps should be taken to ensure the longevity of the job. Basic maintenance (brooming the area), and removing any grease stains should be performed on a regular maintenance. Your representative will provide you with any other information you may need in order to maintain your project.
