Once you have mixed the ingredients to make concrete, it will start the hardening process right away, so once you have laid the concrete, you have to cover it for it to cure. The drying process should be a gradual process, and to keep it gradual (even on a hot day), you should cover the slab with plastic while it is curing/drying. This will allow the slab to stay moist while curing, which is the key to reduce cracking.

Part of the mixing process includes adding water, which concrete loves, so you have to keep water in the process. While the concrete is curing, it is also building its strength, which is quick at first, then tapers off, and as long as there is water present, the concrete will continue to cure (making it even stronger). Once all the water is gone, the concrete is done curing (so a longer curing process makes for stronger concrete).

If it is hot outside, and the water is evaporating quickly, you can lift up the plastic covering, gently spray the concrete with a water hose, put the plastic back over it, and let it continue to cure. You can keep doing this for several days without harming the slab.

What about slabs of concrete to be poured against an older surface of concrete that has already cured? This process would include moistening the older surface first, then adding the new concrete to it. If you do not initially moisten the older surface, a “cold joint” will be created, and the bond will not be strong, thus allowing a weak area, causing cracking in that area possible separation between the two slabs.

Can you have too much water in the mix? Yes, but you want to have enough that the concrete is allowed to cure properly. A good rule of thumb is to look for a shimmer while mixing. If you have a shimmer, then you have too much water, which is easily fixed by adding more dry ingredients (mostly cement mix). It may make the mix a little richer, but in the long run will only add strength, and reduce cracking.

After the concrete has set in about two to three hours, it will start showing its hardness, but keep it moist (using the spray nozzle gently) for the next two to three days allowing it to cure properly. Remember, to keep the concrete surface covered with plastic to keep in the moisture. After about the third day, you can uncover and allow the concrete to dry.

Decorative Concrete

There are many varieties of concrete floor coatings which refer to several types of products and systems that are used specifically to cover bare concrete for aesthetic reasons, protective purposes, or simply to comply with codes and regulations. The better you understand the differences between each type of coating, the better decision you can make as to which one will work better in your situation, if any.

The basic coating is a concrete sealer, which requires the least amount of preparation and time. The sealer will protect the concrete floor from food stains, oil stains, tire traffic, and most chemical spills. The sealer also allows for a much easier clean up when you do spill. Just take a garden hose and rinse away, or use a mild detergent with a bucket of warm water and wipe away. The sealer can be colored, so you can add a little pizzazz to the floor, but it is not meant so much for decorative purpose, mostly protective.

If you want to get a little fancier with your concrete floor, try a system of stains and sealers that are still on the inexpensive side of floor coatings. The concrete stains offer some enhancement with a natural, long lasting appearance. The benefit of stains over other floor coatings is that the stain actually penetrates into the concrete creating a very durable finish that cannot be peeled or flaked away. This coating does require a little more effort and time, as you have to prepare the floor more to accept the stain, but the application is still pretty simple to undertake. When looking for stains for your concrete floor, you do have a choose between an acid stain or a more environmentally friendly acrylic stain. Either is about the same price, but no matter what you choose, always remember to put down coat of the concrete sealer afterward, which is the protective coat. The stains do not offer protection, only beauty.

A different concrete coating that is especially great for garages and popular in basements is epoxy floor paint specifically for concrete floors. An epoxy coating is a more expensive solution and is a little harder to apply, but offers a long lasting, very strong surface. Since the epoxy can be a bit more complicate to apply, a professional may be better to apply it. If you are home repair handy, you can probably do this yourself with caution. Just know that in order for the epoxy to bond well with the floor, it has to be “scratched up” to a degree to achieve the bond. Acid etching can accomplish this, but using a grinder or shot blaster is the best recommendation (which is how epoxy is applied in a commercial or industrial area). And also know that epoxy materials come in to parts. Once part A is mixed with part B, you have a limited amount of time to apply it, before it becomes too hard, and is not workable.

One of the most decorative concrete flooring, of course, is one of the most expensive options. That is a coating of overlay, which can be applied many different ways, with many different colors, and many different patterns. So there are lots of choices, but you may have to work it into your budget as it can be double to triple the price of sealer or stain, depending on how customize you make it. This type of coating would definitely be recommended to be installed by a professional, because it is very laborious and must have prior planning before being applied.
NOTE: Not all concrete floors are conducive to all concrete floor coatings. Some concrete floors, depending on condition, may be better to use carpet or tile. If any questions, ask your local decorative concrete professional.

Written by Daniel Riggins for Ultimate Concrete. To contact Ultimate Concrete go to http://www.ultimatenewlook.com

Why use concrete? There are many advantages in using concrete over lumber.

1. Concrete can be easily shaped to fit a variety of landscapes and can be stamped to look like a variety of materials. By using a stamp and some concrete coloring (acid stain), you can make that concrete look like flagstone.

2. If installed properly, grass will not grow on it or through it.

3. You do not have to worry about splinters when installing or maintaining the concrete.

4. Concrete will dry fairly fast, and will not stay moist for days as wood can.

5. Termites cannot penetrate a concrete slab, and having concrete against the foundation will decrease/prevent the termites from getting inside the structure of your house.

6. If properly cared for (power washing occasionally, sweeping off debris, etc.) concrete will last much longer than a wooden structure.

1. Usually a 4” depth is used when pouring concrete. A frame is laid to hold the concrete until it sets. Four inches is usually used when pouring a walkway or patio at 3500psi. If a driveway is poured, then make sure 6” is poured instead, depending on expected amount of weight a higher PSI strength may be warranted, as this area will receive heavier traffic and will need more support. The extra 2” will give the extra support needed for heavy trucks and traffic.

2. Make sure that when the area is dug out, that the remaining dirt is compacted which firms the foundation as much as possible before the concrete is poured. Once the area is compacted, gravel should be put into place 2-4 inches in depth, areas with softer ground should have 4 inches. 27a rock should be used as this will compact better than 57. A wire mesh or rebar should then be placed on top of the gravel to prevent or minimize cracking once the concrete is set. The final step is then to pour the concrete. At this stage, you can add color to the concrete and even stamp the concrete.

3. Then, in order for the concrete to last longer than most other materials, you have to maintain it, but that maintenance is very low. A routine washing with a garden hose and scrubbing (use a broom) with a mild detergent will go a long way in keeping your concrete looking new.