Welcome to ArtCon’s Frequently Asked Questions.
Q. What is the difference between “stamped” concrete and “overlay”?
A. They are two different products. “Overlays” are 1/4 inch thick and are applied over existing concrete. “Stamped” concrete is a process of stamping newly poured concrete.
Q. How soon can I put things on my concrete?
A. Concrete takes 7 to 28 days to fully cure; the curing time for each product is different. Your new concrete requires 2 hours of curing before it can handle light rain and 24 hours before it can withstand ANY foot traffic. Try not to bump or hit your new concrete with hard objects for the first 28 days. You will notice the color changing during the curing process. Don’t worry; this is normal for the curing process of concrete.
Q. How do I keep my concrete looking good?
A. Avoid scraping heavy objects across the surface of the concrete. Keep oil (B-B-Q’s, automobile spills, etc.) from the concrete surface. Use “Simple Green” to remove tire marks. Never use a wire brush to clean concrete.
Q. What about cracks in my concrete?
A. Because all concrete cracks, and we want to control where it will appear, we use “control joints” to manage the cracking. Control joints are strategically placed, using industry standards, to allow for movements caused by temperature changes, and drying shrinkage. If a workmanship related crack occurs, ArtCon will fix it.
Q. What is required of a contractor?
A. The Nevada Contractors Board requires that a contractor must have a minimum of four years of experience as a workman, supervising employee or contractors inthe field; to pass contractor tests administered by the Board, to be bonded and insured and to be “of good character.” (Nevada Revised Statute 624)
Q. How long does it take for a crew to set and pour my concrete job?
A. It alldepends on the particular job specifications, weather conditions, as well as set and pour schedules. 1 – 10 yards of concrete can be poured in the same day. 10 – 20 yards usually takes about two days. (80 Square feet is equal to 1 yard.)
Q. What is a “Sealer” on my concrete?
A. Sealer is a top coat that’s put on particluar types of finished concrete projects after it has time to cure (usually with in a month, depending on weather) to protect the concrete. It usually will enhance the color and beauty of the concrete. Sealers will generally help the concrete to become physically stronger and helps to resist damage from stains, acids, moisture, mold and mildew.
Q. How long will a sealer last?
A. Just like normal housekeeping responsibilities, to maintain the continued beauty of yoru original concrete project, re-application of sealer may be necessary yearly, depending upon traffic, stains, and environmental conditions on the concrete.
Q. What is your payment policy?
A. 50% down, 50% at completion of the project. If sealer is required, you may deduct 5%, or $200 (whichever is greater) from the final payment. Balance is due after sealer is applied. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover credit cards.
Q. Will colors always match?
A. All colors are for reference only and may not depict final color on job. We do not guarantee any matches between color charts, photos and samples with the actual finished product. Each job is an original unto itself and no job will ever match another job exactly. The aggregates and other raw materials used to make our decorative concrete are products by nature and therefore are subject to variations in color, size and shape. Many paver manufacturers have various blend colors that consist of two or more colors. When choosing a blend, it is important to keep in mind that some of the pavers will be dominant in one of the colors and some will be a combination of the colors that are in the particular blend.
Q. Can Artcon, Inc. warranty others peoples work?
A. Artcon, Inc. is not responsible for defects caused by improperly poured, troweled or cured concrete. Artcon, Inc. is not responsible for defects due to ground moisture or efflorescence resulting in milky or clouded sealer or lack of proper maintenance or use of the subject area.
What should I look for to be sure I’m getting a quality installation?
Referrals
Always obtain referrals from builders and homeowners who have used concrete tile contractors. Meet with them to get an appreciation for their commitment to quality and value in your job.
Look For A Professional
Do they have a reputation for honesty and quality? Do they complete their jobs on time and within budget? Do they understand and abide by manufacturer specifications for installation?
Do Your Homework
Evaluate potential contractors’ insurance policies and record their professional license number so that you can ask your state’s Department of Professional Regulation and Licensing about its validity. Keep a healthy skepticism about performance claims and check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any claims against a contractor.
Sign The Contract
Do not allow your contractor to begin work until you have both signed a contract specifying the terms of the work, the start and end date, lien releases, warranties, responsibility for permits, the total installed cost and a payment schedule. Make sure they agree to keep the job site neat, clean and safe throughout the installation process.
What’s The Bottom Line?
Make sure to select an installer familiar with the manufacturer’s recommendations for quality and don’t hesitate to ask for references. A reputable contractor should be glad to provide a list of successful projects. It’s also important to protect your investment when using decorative concrete, so speak with your contractor about proper maintenance procedures.
Efflorescence
Definition of Efflorescence
Ef-flo-res-cence
1. Chemistry
a. A gradual process of unfolding or developing.
b. The highest point; the culmination. See Synonyms at bloom1.
c. The deposit that results from the process of efflorescing. Also called bloom1.
d. The process of efflorescing.
e. A growth of salt crystals on a surface caused by evaporation of salt-laden water.
f. The resulting powdery substance or incrustation Reference:
Efflorescence is a white crystalline or powdery deposit on the surface of masonry materials like concrete, brick , clay tile, etc. It’s caused by water seeping through the wall/floor/object. The water dissolves salts inside the object while moving through it, then evaporates leaving the salt on the surface.
ArtCon & NSCB Stance on Efflorescence
ArtCon, Inc is not required to fix efflorescence after the problem has been verified by the Nevada State Contractors Board. Majority of the time though ArtCon, Inc will work with the customer on dealing with efflorescence. ArtCon will try their best to help remove the efflorescence but cannot make any promises as to correcting the issue.
According to the Nevada State Contractors Board efflorescence is a “natural occurring anomaly” and therefore the contractor is at NO fault. If a homeowner would like further clarification regarding this matter, the Contractors Board is more than willing to speak with them; they can be reached at (702) 486-1100.
How to Deal with Efflorescence
This is one of the most common but least understood phenomenon’s with concrete. Efflorescence is a chalky white salt residue that can occur with any product containing cement. As moisture migrates up to the surface of the concrete, it carries along with it calcium salts from within the concrete. When the salts reach the surface, they react with CO2 in the air and form insoluble calcium carbonate. This white, dusty, scaly salt can be minimal or dramatic, depending on the amount of free calcium salt present in the concrete. Exposure to rain, standing water, and sprinklers only make the situation worse, as water triggers the reaction and creates more efflorescence.
Efflorescence is not as noticeable when it occurs on gray concrete, but even a little efflorescence on colored concrete can be a contractor’s worst nightmare. Efflorescence makes red look pink, brown look tan, and black look gray or even white. The good news is that it will eventually go away on its own as the free calcium is depleted. The bad news is that this can take as long as 15 years. And in this situation, you can’t wait.
To fix the problem at this point, clean the surface with a mild acid or efflorescence remover (some manufacturers make special efflorescence cleaners) followed by sealing. To avoid the problem altogether on future projects, consider using a colored curing compound or cure and seal to match the color of the concrete.
It can be relatively easy to remove compared to some other stains. Often these salts are water soluble and, if outside, may disappear of their own accord with normal weathering. This is particularly true of “new-building bloom.” The water soluble salts can be removed by dry brushing or with water and a stiff brush. Heavy accumulation or stubborn deposits of white efflorescence salts can usually be removed with a solution of muriatic acid and scrubbing (1 part acid to 12 parts water —this is a real acid, follow precautions on the label). Wet the surface well before and after the solution is applied. Less common salts, that change their chemical structure during efflorescence formation, require proprietary compounds to remove.