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CONCRETE CURE TIME: HOW LONG UNTIL CONCRETE IS FULLY DRY

When concrete contractors install a driveway, sidewalk, patio, or concrete slab floor, they will advise the client that the surface must cure before being walked or driven upon. Concrete cure time is the process of allowing the new surface to fully dry and develop its strength and water resistance in the process.

Proper concrete curing will also improve the mechanical properties of the new surface, such as delaying any shrinkage and resisting any cracking while the new floor is still drying. The slower the concrete cure time, the more moisture will remain in the material, which will allow for a stronger, more durable concrete floor.

Different concrete cure methods

The amount of time it will take for any concrete cure time depends upon many factors, such as how much moisture is in the air, sunlight, temperature, along with the composition of the cement. Also, there are 3 main concrete drying methods that may affect how long concrete contractors will advise customers to stay off the new concrete floor.

  • Water curing involves sprinkling, misting, or ponding of the surface with water.
  • Concrete coverage slows down curing with wet sand, wet burlap, or wet straw
  • Waterproof barriers such as plastic film or waterproof paper

The purpose of each curing method is to retain moisture in the concrete for as possible to as the new surface gains additional strength. This process of developing strength is actually the growth of a crystal matrix (or hard finger-like projections) within the concrete as the Portland cement reacts with water.

This intertwining of the cement, sand, and gravel is what makes concrete one of the most durable surfaces for supporting the weight of cars and SUVs, tractor trailers, and large machinery.

How long should concrete dry?

When it come to concrete cure time, always follow the suggestions of concrete contractors that have installed your new concrete surface. But, general concrete cure times are as follows:

  • 24 to 48 hours – after the initial concrete pour, the forms can be removed, and the new concrete surface can withstand foot traffic, so people can walk on the surface
  • 7 -10 days – which is just a partial concrete cure time, but the new surface can support vehicular traffic and the movement of equipment across the floor.
  • 28 days – in just under 30 days, the concrete should be fully cured and can handle the full weight or full pounds per square foot as determined by the concrete mix strength

These time considerations will also depend on the quality and strength of the concrete mixture, the thickness of the concrete slab, any adverse weather conditions, along with the professionalism of the installation.

Problems with concrete that is not cured correctly

When the full concrete cure time is not allowed before substantial weight is applied to the new surface, the surface’s durability, water-tightness, and strength will all be diminished. Also, improper curing can result in a concrete floor or surface that will tend to develop thermal cracks and plastic shrinkage cracks.

Once cracks start to develop throughout the concrete, you can expect water infiltration, weed growth, chipping, spalling, dips, and bulges that will make the surface unsightly, difficult to walk/drive on, and will greatly reduce the life span of the concrete surface.

To avoid these problems with concrete slab that is not installed or cured properly, always use professional concrete contractors for your projects.

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Commercial Water Drainage Tips for Concrete

If you have a concrete outdoor area such as a parking lot or patio that is having issues with drainage, there are things that can be done to help. Start by implementing these three improvements:

1. A Porous Top Paving Layer – Adding a coating such as asphalt will help the area to absorb some water. While asphalt will not absorb all of the water from a large rain storm, it will typically absorb between five to ten percent of the water, helping to eliminate deep puddles. Asphalt drainage is typically not thought of when other drainage solutions are being considered, but it can be an extremely cost effective way to improve the appearance and reduce the maintenance on a property.

2. Surface and Subsurface Drainage – Have a professional asphalt paving company review your surface and subsurface drainage systems. Often, regular maintenance will help to eliminate blockages such as debris and weeds clogging inlets. In some cases it may be a good idea to construct a new drain inlet or even add additional water storage under the concrete.

3. Local Conditions – People often wonder why their concrete pad has suddenly stopped draining water after a storm, especially if it has “worked” for years”. If nothing is wrong with the coating and drain maintenance is up to date, it might just be that local conditions have changed. This may mean that there are more storms, or improvements in the nearby area may be forcing water onto your property. Fortunately, asphalt companies are often able to devise a solution to help. Here are four of the most common solutions that are implemented by our team of professionals.

4 Ways Concrete and Asphalt Can Aid Commercial Drainage

1. Pervious Concrete – Pervious concrete has been around for a few decades, but the recent change in weather patterns and a focus on eliminating standing water has caused a renewed surge in interest. Pervious concrete can be poured into just about any shape or pattern you can imagine, and it will topically absorb three to four times more water than “standard” concrete.

2. Concrete Drainage Additions Can Assist Standard Blends – If you’re looking at improving the drainage in an already existing concrete structure, then you’ll likely want to construct additional drains. This may mean adding more inlets, and/or improving the drainage system so that more water can be stored by adding additional piping or gravel drainage under or around the area.

3. Concrete and Asphalt Can Be Sloped – Adding a slight slope to a concrete or asphalt area will help water to drain to an empty field. These slopes are very mild (typically less than 2%), and most people don’t notice that a parking lot or patio is sloped when they’re using it. In fact, most paved areas are designed to have a slight slope, but over time it’s possible for asphalt, concrete, and the gravel underneath them to shift slightly, essentially “flattening out” these areas.

4. Asphalt Can Also Be Extra-Porous. Apshalt, like concrete, can be mixed and poured to be more or less porous. Consider using a type of asphalt that is more porous. This will allow an area to absorb more water, increasing the overall absorption in some cases by up to ten percent or more.

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6 COMMON CAUSES BEHIND PARKING LOT BREAKDOWN

If you’re the owner or manager of a building with a parking lot, you may have noticed that it’s starting to show signs of wear. An asphalt parking lot is exposed to several elements that can cause severe damage over time.

1. Harsh Weather Conditions

Freezing temperatures can cause water from rain and snow to freeze, causing micro cracks in the asphalt to expand. Over time, this will cause the surface of the parking lot to crumble.

2. Dirt, Debris, or Engine Oil Spills

Just about any type of dirt or debris can trap moisture, preventing it from evaporating or draining properly. Even oil and other non water substances can be absorbed by the asphalt coating on a parking lot. Over time, this moisture seeps into the asphalt, causing fissures as the temperature drops and the moisture freezes.

3. Poor Drainage System

A faulty or clogged drainage system will prevent water from draining properly. Water that ponds on top of the asphalt can cause a number of problems. In addition to the aforementioned freezing and cracking, the debris, oil, and acids that are trapped by puddles of water can wear away at the asphalt covering of a parking lot. Be aware that in addition to fixing the damage that has been done by the standing water, a property owner will also need to fix the drainage system. This may be as simple as removing debris from drain inlets, but it may also require reconstruction of pipes, outlets, and/or drain fields.

4. Low-Quality Sealants

If a parking lot was never sealed properly by the original asphalt contractors it will likely start to deteriorate much faster than one that was properly sealed. An improperly sealed parking lot will have a lot of cracks as the underlying gravel layers will be exposed to the elements. This means that over time the asphalt coating will wear away and the gravel underneath will be exposed. If the parking lot is in regular use, this will mean that the rocks in this layer will become scattered and uneven. Eventually, parking lots in this state may need to be completely rebuilt, not just resealed.

5. Heavy Vehicles or Machinery

Heavy machinery and other equipment puts a large weight load on the asphalt and gravel layers of a parking lot. Depending on the type of soil the parking lot has been built on, heavy equipment will compact the gravel layers under the asphalt and cause cracking in the top layer of asphalt. In fact, it’s not uncommon for layers under the asphalt to deform without there being any immediate indication of damage. This is because the top layer of asphalt has a small amount of flexibility, allowing heavy equipment to rest on its surface without showing cracks. Under the surface, however, the newly compacted gravel layers will form gaps between the asphalt and the gravel. Over time, this will lead to deformation of the entire parking lot.

6. General Neglect

When a parking lot has been neglected for a long time, it’s likely that it will have all of these problems. Lack of maintenance will cause clogged drainage systems, which will result in an increase in debris and other build up on the surface of the parking lot. Over time, this will result in large parts of the parking lot crumbling and cracking.

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Types of Commercial Concrete Curbs

There are three main types of commercial concrete curbs: barrier curbs, decorative curbs, and mountable curbs. These curbs all serve very different purposes, so it is important to know the differences if you need curbs for your business. Creating beautiful and properly shaped curbs isn’t easy, so it’s best to go with a concrete company that has plenty of experience with making curbs. Read on to learn more about the different types of commercial concrete curbs.

Barrier Curbs

Barrier curbs are intended to keep people and vehicles out of a certain area. They are intended to be entirely functional, not decorative. Barrier curbs are often found at the edges of streets, where they keep vehicles from straying onto the sidewalk. They are also used to surround parking lots for the same purpose. In addition to providing a barrier to people and vehicles, these curbs also keep water from flowing out of a street. Instead, the water is directed into a drain.

Sometimes barrier curbs are placed between parking spaces in a lot. This can make it easier for drivers to park their vehicles. It also prevents one vehicle from parking across two spaces, which is important if your lot is often very full.

Decorative Curbs

Decorative curbs are intended to be beautiful, though they do serve a purpose. This type of curb is also known as a mower curb. This is because these curbs are often used to prevent lawnmowers from cutting down fragile plants like flowers and ornamentals. Not only will decorative curbs prevent lawnmowers from damaging fragile plants, but these curbs will also keep pedestrians from wandering into flower beds and the like. If you have a sidewalk that cuts through your business’s landscaping, you should have decorative curbs installed along both sides.

Decorative curbs are often colored and stamped with a design. These curbs can also have unique shapes. Decorative curbs are a great way to increase the beauty of your business’s grounds while also protecting the landscaping. If you are planning to get decorative curbs for your business, make sure to look at pictures of decorative curbs so that you can get a good idea of what is possible.

Mountable Curbs

Mountable curbs are designed to let people or vehicles pass over them. These curbs can be found at the edges of sidewalks where they cross a street. In this situation, mountable curbs are intended to let people pushing strollers or walkers easily transition from the sidewalk to the asphalt when crossing a street. Mountable curbs also give people in wheelchairs easy access to the street. In fact, mountable curbs are required by many jurisdictions to ensure equal access for people with disabilities.

Mountable curbs can also be found at the entrances of parking lots. They divide the parking lot from the street while still letting vehicles pass over them without a jolt. This is why mountable curbs slope downwards instead of upwards like other types of curbs.

Finding the Right Concrete Company

It can be tricky to create concrete curbs that not only look good but also work properly. If you need curbs for your business, find a concrete company that has extensive experience creating curbs. Make sure to take a look at examples of their past work so you can ensure that they are capable of creating high-quality commercial concrete curbs. It’s also a good idea to get an estimate so you have a good idea of how much the work will cost.

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Advantages of a Concrete Driveway

There are many types of driveways, from gravel to cobblestone and even asphalt. However, concrete driveways are the most popular, and for good reason. Concrete driveways offer numerous benefits that other types of driveways can’t match. They are low maintenance, durable, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to customize. As long as you have a reputable concrete company do your driveway, you will be happy with the results. Read on to learn more about the advantages of concrete driveways.

Concrete Driveways are Low Maintenance

One of the biggest benefits of concrete driveways is that they require little maintenance. A driveway that has been properly poured and sealed will last for years with almost no maintenance. The only concrete maintenance that you will have to do is to wash it off on occasion.

In contrast, other types of driveways require far more maintenance. Gravel driveways, for example, require maintenance much more frequently than concrete driveways. While gravel driveways may be cheaper than concrete driveways initially, you should keep in mind that the long-term costs of a gravel driveway may be higher because of the higher maintenance costs.

Concrete Driveways are Durable

Concrete driveways are also very durable. While driveways made from other materials, such as cobblestones or pavers, may look good they are not durable. This means you will end up spending a lot of time and money having them repaired.

Concrete, on the other hand, can stand up to years of heavy use. It can also handle the elements, even if you live in an area with frequent inclement weather.

Driveways Made From Concrete Look Great

In addition to being durable and requiring little maintenance, concrete driveways also look great. Asphalt and gravel driveways may have their advantages, but they will be an eyesore on your property. A driveway made of concrete will enhance the look of your home, especially if you have it colored or stamped with a design.

Concrete driveways offer beauty at a much more affordable price than other aesthetically pleasing materials like cobblestones or pavers. Not only is concrete more affordable up-front, it is more affordable in the long term because it required less maintenance.

It’s Easy to Customize a Concrete Driveway

Concrete driveways are also easy to customize. As previously mentioned, concrete can be colored in almost any hue you can imagine. It can also be stamped with various designs. Also, concrete can be poured into almost any shape. You can make your concrete driveway as long and wide as you want. It is also easy to create a winding concrete driveway that leads to the other side of your property.

Finding the Right Concrete Company

If you are planning on having a concrete driveway poured, you should take your time to find the right company among the concrete companies in your area. It may be tempting to simply go with the cheapest company, but this is not a good idea. Such companies often use low-quality materials and inexperienced workers. You may have to have your driveway re-done, which would be expensive.

Instead, you should find a concrete company that has many years of experience. Make sure that the company you are experiencing has successfully poured many residential driveways. Take a look at the pictures of concrete driveways that the company has posted on their website. This will give you a good idea of what they are capable of. Also, make sure to find a company that is willing to give you an estimate before starting work.