Foot Traffic – allow (24) hours.

Vehicles – allow (2) weeks.

Up to (1) month.

Yes, for up to (30) days.

When initially poured, the concrete will be relatively dark, but as it dries out and carbonates, it will become progressively lighter and even in color.

Although the terms cement and concrete often are used interchangeably, cement is actually an ingredient of concrete. Concrete is a mixture of aggregates and paste. The aggregates are sand and gravel or crushed stone; the paste is water and Portland cement.

Curing time of concrete is typically 24-48 hours, at which point it’s safe for normal foot traffic. After one week, concrete is typically cured enough to handle continued construction including heavy machinery. Concrete is recognized to have reached full strength 28 days after placement.

Discoloration on the surface of new concrete can be from several factors including inconsistent mixtures, too much or not enough water, low quality materials, poor workmanship, the use of calcium chloride, environmental issues, or issues created during the pour or during the curing process.

The color pigments used in colored concrete are UV stable and fade resistant and will not fade. The cement does however change tones during the curing process and as it ages in the weather.

Ivory – If you’re looking for classy and clean, we recommend painting the concrete floors in a soft ivory color. Such a color instantly makes the basement look nice and clean. And white reflects light very well, helping to make the space look more well-lit. Gray – Gray is still the most popular color for concrete.

Unlike concrete stains, which react chemically with the calcium hydroxide in concrete, dyes are nonreactive and impart color by penetrating concrete or other porous cementitious surfaces. … The small dye particles fill the pores of the concrete and are very hard to remove; making dyes nearly as permanent as stains.

Colored concrete gives you the freedom to set the color scheme you want in and around your home. When the color is mixed throughout the concrete, it won’t fade in the sun or under harsh weather.

The best protection you can give your stamped concrete to protect its color and sheen is by having a sealer applied. Your contractor is the best one to recommend which sealer should be used.

Masonry paint (also called elastomeric paint or elastomeric wall coating) is a good choice for concrete painting because it contains binders that contract and expand with the concrete. Exterior house paint can crack and peel on concrete.

With stained concrete, the concrete itself will last for many years, potentially over 100years. However, in order for the stain to last, the floors will need to be sealed or waxed once or twice per year.

Pouring concrete in the rain can compromise its strength, increasing the tendency for dusting and scaling to develop. Once the damage is done, it can be hard to rectify and will often ruin the appearance of the finished surface. Don’t let it rain on your parade.

If the concrete is still fresh (around 2-4 hours after pouring), it’s important to cover the surface to protect it. However, once the concrete has been finished (between 4-8 hours after pouring), and has set hard enough for walking on, the effects of rain should be minimal.

Be sure to start watering the concrete in the morning and keep watering throughout the hottest part of the day. Do not start watering during the hottest part of the day because it could shock the concrete into developing surface crazing (similar to a hot glass breaking when filled with cold water).

The forms or “molding” that holds the concrete in place until it dries should be left alone for at least one to two days to ensure that the concrete is completely dry. If the forms are removed too soon, the concrete can begin to sag, crack and collapse, especially if conditions like temperature affected its strength.

For large scale projects like buildings, concrete should last up to 100 years if it’s properly cared for. Concrete projects that experience more wear-and-tear like sidewalks and driveways have an expected lifespan of about half that—50 years

You do need gravel under a concrete slab, footing, or patio. Gravel provides a solid foundation for your concrete as it can be compacted. It also improves drainage, preventing water from pooling beneath the concrete.

Long story short, yes you can pour concrete over dirt.

No, you do not need rebar for a 4-inch slab of concrete on grade. A 4-inch thick slab cast on the ground and in permanent contact with it will float and rebar is not required. Rebar is recommended on concrete measuring 5 – 6 inches thick.

If you’re not doing a commercial–level project but still want some additional reinforcement for your concrete, a wire mesh is a great (and cheaper) alternative to rebar. Wire mesh use is becoming much more common for projects like a home driveway.

When you see a crack in your concrete slab or wall, your first assumption is typically that something has been done wrong–but that’s not always the case. Actually, concrete cracks are very common, some are even inevitable.

In residential concrete, 4 inches is the minimum thickness for walkways and patios. Garage slabs and driveways should be 5 to 6 inches thick if any heavy truck traffic is anticipated, otherwise 4 inches is adequate. Applied-load cracking.

Hairline cracks of less than one millimeter in width or slight cracks of between one and five millimeters are generally not a cause for concern.

Hairline cracks in a concrete slab are rarely a cause for concern. They can be controlled, but not eliminated. A crack in a slab of 1/8 inch or less is typically a normal shrinkage crack and not a cause for concern.

Cracking typically starts within 12 hours of the finishing process. Weather conditions will slow or accelerate it. Shrinkage cracking is typically planned for and handled with control joints

Cracks up to ¼ inch in width can be filled with sealant. Small cracks here and there that are narrower than ¼ inch are most likely the result of shrinkage as the driveway cured. Like spider web cracks, these small cracks do not indicate a larger problem, and they often show up soon after the concrete is poured.