Caring For Your New Concrete

• Concrete solidifies and hardens through a chemical process called hydration. The water reacts with the cement, which bonds the other components together, creating a robust stone-like material. In the early stages of the concrete drying, it releases salt. This salt rises to the top of the concrete slab. This will give the concrete a spotty looking appearance initially. Rest assured this wont last. As the concrete completely cures the colour will even out.
• As your newly applied concrete dries the colour will fade from a rich/ gloss to a matte and textured finished. Upon request we can apply a seal to retain this glossy finish if desired.
• If you have chosen to have a sealed finish this is generally applied once the concrete has completely dried at a later stage. We are more then happy to provide this service for you.
• Concrete is a malleable product. It expands and shrinks with heat, changing weather conditions & the natural movement of the ground that the slab sits on. These are external factors that are spontaneous and out of our control. This can occasionally cause minor surface tension/ grazing cracks in the concrete. Cracks in concrete are extremely common but often misunderstood. Some types of cracks are inevitable. We do everything in our power to minimize and control the cracking:
  • Proper preparation of subgrade
  • Using a low-shrinkage concrete mix & ensuring concrete isn’t too wet
  • Reinforcing concrete with high grade engineered steel specific to the needs of the job
  • Application and spacing crack control joints and expansion joints.Occasionally cracks happen in spite of any precautions taken.
    Choice Concrete Solutions warrants the structural integrity of all our products.
  • Control joints cuts will be applied once the concrete has completely dried. This is completed at our discretion.
  • It can be helpful, especially on hot days if you hose down the driveway with water to keep it moist and slow down the drying process. Please wait at least 6 hours post pour to ensure you will not mark the driveway. Water pressure will need to be very light and not directed onto the slab. Our team will give you instructions upon completion of the job.

It is essential to give the concrete adequate time to cure to ensure its structural integrity as well as aesthetic finish. Please allow the following as minimum timeframes for the concrete to bear weight.

DRIVEWAY/ CARPORT

• No walking for people or animals for 48 hours
• Ten days from the date of concrete application for vehicles or any heavy objects.

FOOTPATHS/ STAIRS

• No walking for people or animals for 48 hours

PATIOS/ ENTERTAINING AREAS

• No walking for people or animals for 48 hours
• 48 hours to place furniture

STRUCTURAL SLABS

• Ten days from the date of concrete application for vehicles, framework or any heavy objects.’

SEAL/ TINT SEAL APPLICATION

• Four days from the date of application for walking, vehicles or any heavy objects.
  In extreme heat concrete should be soaked with water regularly to avoid concrete curing rapidly, which will help prevent craze cracking.
  Water pressure will need to be very light and not directed onto the slab. Our team will give you instructions upon completion of job.