Frequent Asked Questions
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No, concrete and cement are not the same thing. Many tend to confuse them since they are somewhat similar in nature. However, the truth is that they are different in a number of ways. Basically, concrete is a combination of different materials that includes sand, water, stone, and cement. Yes, cement is one of the components of concrete. On the other hand, cement is a gray powder. It is typically used for different construction services. It serves as a glue that sticks different materials together, exactly its purpose as part of concrete. Although initially powder, it turns paste-y once in contact with water.
Yes, concrete comes in different kinds so as to cater to a variety of consumer needs. As you know, concrete is available in a wide array of services. With that, it is almost close to impossible to force it to fit into these specific purposes, especially when the range is too wide. With the help of these different kinds, concrete gets to fully deliver to the needs of the client. Here at The Savannah Concrete Company, we offer reinforced concrete, lightweight concrete, precast concrete, high density concrete, glass reinforced concrete, ordinary concrete, and prestressed concrete. If you need help with choosing, call 912-214-3834.
Yes, definitely. As a concrete contractor in Savannah, we believe that nothing beats the convenience of having someone who can oversee the project for you. Although it depends on the size, concrete construction can be too time consuming. If you do not have the luxury of time to do these on you own, make sure to hire a team who can assist you throughout the project. In addition to that, concrete installation also requires timing. Not every property owner is gifted with such skill. If you believe that you need further training to make the best ones, then make sure to hire an expert.
Yes, concrete can set in the rain, however, you will need to watch out for any possible effects on the concrete. We learned that it can eventually lead to dusting, scaling, and cracks. Since we want to avoid them from showing up, we always see to it to do proper installation, which includes checking the weather ahead of time. As much as we can, we try to avoid concrete installation during the rain. We advise the same for our clients. We would rather not compromise the long-term quality of concrete just because we were in a hurry to do the installation.
Yes, you can definitely paint concrete. You can choose from a huge variety of color collection. Feel free to choose any color that you feel like will satisfy you or something that matches with your property. Meanwhile, if you need help with picking the right color, do not hesitate to seek our assistance. We can extend a hand to assist you through the process. For the best results, make sure to carefully check the label. Also make sure to get the correct paint type for your concrete type. Meanwhile, you can also elect to hire a concrete contractor in Savannah.
There are several possible reasons for concrete to crack. While it can naturally happen through regular use and wear and tear, there are instances where a particular event may cause it. One of the most common reasons for concrete cracks is weather conditions. For example, as we have discussed earlier, rain can affect the setting of concrete. In addition to that, wind can also play a big factor. Too much wind can speed up the hydration process, which can be detrimental to the overall quality. Temperature can also have adverse effect, which is why we recommend cooling/heating ingredients prior to installation.
The advisable waiting time is to wait for at least seven days. Concrete takes time before it becomes ready for use. But the time varies for each purpose. Something like concrete as driveway will need more time than usual to gain significant strength tantamount to the weight of the vehicle. At the same time, we may recommend at least 30 days for driveways intended for trucks and heavy equipment. Even though the waiting time can be a hassle, we strongly encourage our clients to have the patience for it. After all the long-term benefits with waiting are definitely worth it.
The concrete sealer provides a layer of protection for the concrete. It keeps moisture and salt from getting into the material, which in effect helps prolong the life of the concrete. Other than that, the concrete sealer also prevents the appearance of hairline cracks, as well as peeling. So, not only it helps maintain the quality but the appearance of it as well. The best time to apply a concrete sealer is 30 days after pouring the concrete, as the concrete has sufficiently dried up at that point. It would be best to reapply every 2 to 3 years or so.
Yes, weather does affect concrete. Since concrete is constantly exposed to weather, there are inevitable effects on the concrete. Like we have mentioned earlier, both rain and wind can bring adverse effects on the concrete. Moreover, fluctuating temperature like freeze and thaw climates can also be of detriment, especially during installation. For the best results, we advise our clients to adjust the temperatures of the materials before installation. For colder regions, it would help to heat them first to keep it from freezing. Meanwhile for warm regions, make sure to cool them first to keep them from getting too hot.
You should choose concrete over asphalt for your driveway as the former lasts longer without needing repairs. Although concrete tends to be more expensive upfront, it is, however, more durable. Since it won’t easily need repairs, you can enjoy it for much longer without the need for maintenance work. On the other hand, while asphalt is significantly less expensive, it is more likely to need constant repairs. In comparison with concrete, asphalt is inferior by a margin. By opting for concrete, although less expensive upfront, it can be more expensive in the long run due to a lot of repairs.
The best mix proportions follow the rule of 6’s. Basically, the rule of 6’s is very common among concrete contractors in Savannah. It is proven to yield the best quality concrete. There are several clauses to the rule of 6’s. The first one says to use a maximum of 6 gallons of water per every bag of cement. Second rule states to use at least 6 bags of cement per each cubic yard of concrete. The third rule is to maintain 6% of air for concrete that experiences extreme temperatures. The last rule is to allow at least 6 days before use.
There are numerous reasons for concrete to crack. On top of the list is the natural wear and tear of the material. Through constant use, concrete will inevitably need repair to restore it back to its best shape. Another reason could be weather which includes wind, rain, and temperature. We have discussed the first two in detail earlier. So, temperature causes the concrete to freeze and thaw. As the temperature increases, the concrete will expand which can bring volume changes. Even though such volume change is minimal at around 500 millionths, it may still appear as cracks on the concrete.
It matters to test the concrete as it helps determine the overall quality of concrete. As compared to the usual products in the market that you can evaluate just by looking at it, concrete is different. You cannot judge it by merely basing on the face value. It requires you to check the important factors that include weight, consistency, air content, and temperature. These factors together help determine the encompassing quality of the concrete. There are different tests available. If you need help with finding a concrete test, consult with your trusted Savannah concrete company for assistance on the matter.
Concrete is quite versatile, which means that you can employ two methods to eliminate hard to remove stains. You can choose any between wet methods and dry methods. Since concrete is waterproof, there should be no problem with using water on it. In fact, you can even use it in conjunction with soap and other chemicals. On the other hand, you can choose to use dry methods as well. Some examples that you can try are flame cleaning, scouring, shotblasting, sandblasting, and scabbing. Additionally, you can also use steel brush, but be careful to not leave any steel debris behind.
Concrete is one of the best materials for construction. It is one of the few that can deliver impeccable results. Basically, it is a combination of different ingredients such as coarse aggregates, fine aggregates, cement, and water. The cement acts as the glue that sticks all of these ingredients. Concrete comes in different forms to provide for different needs. If you are interested in getting concrete, do not think twice about reaching out to us at 912-214-3834. We have a wide range of services that you can avail of. Moreover, we can also help with the concrete installation project itself.
Concrete is gray for a reason. One of concrete’s main component, which is cement, is the reason for this gray color. Since it is powder it can dominate the entire mixture and serve as the prevailing color. Meanwhile, cement gets its gray color from one of its ingredients as well, which is iron ore. While iron ore is technically black, it turns gray as it combines with other ingredients. Most often than not, this gray color is underwhelming for property owners. Because of that, we decided to offer concrete staining and stamped concrete to further spice up the concrete’s look.
No. By the time that concrete has dried out it stops gaining strength. Concrete gains strength as moisture content dries up. As it happens new chemicals bond form, causing crystals to interlock and gain more strength. This chemical process is called hydration. It is likely to take place for the first 30 days. However, in some cases, it might last longer than that, especially if there is too much moisture within. You can choose to stop the process manually through different methods like the organic solvent. Sometimes, the concrete reaches the desired strength level even before the moisture completely dries up.