Concrete additives are used to solve problems that can affect concreting.
Concrete additives are used to solve problems that can affect concreting. We’ve all been there. You mix up a batch of concrete, pour it into your forming, and then you notice that the concrete is dark in spots, hasn’t set up properly, or has cracked. These problems can be due to shrinkage, cracking, efflorescence (when water evaporates from the surface of your concrete leaving behind white streaks), or one of many other issues. Using a concrete additive can help solve these issues and ensure a strong set.
The first thing to do is measure your ingredients.
The first thing to do is measure your ingredients. It’s crucial to get the mix right, so make sure you have everything you need before you put it together. To measure ingredients, use a set of mixing buckets like these ones here (they’re watertight and easy to pour from). You’ll also need a scale for measuring dry ingredients—preferably one that can be recalibrated (that way, if yours gets damaged or inaccurate over time, you can easily fix it). A digital scale with a readout is preferred. Finally, grab whatever tools are required for the specific kind of concrete additive you’re using (check the instructions on the packaging for more info).
There are a number of ways you can control the temperature of concrete during the curing process.
There are a number of ways you can control the temperature of concrete during the curing process.
- Use insulated forms to protect concrete from rapid heat loss and prevent cold joints.
- Use lightweight aggregate to reduce heat gain or loss.
- Add admixtures that will reduce water content (see note below).
- Provide shade for concrete, and use wind breaks for windy conditions to reduce heat gain, particularly in the first three days after placement. See Table 1, below.
- Use electric or steam heaters to maintain a constant temperature, except during extremely hot weather. See Table 2 and 3, below, for these formulas.
Table 1: Recommended Maximum Concrete Temperature and Curing Periods (in Hours)
Protecting concrete from dust and other contaminants during construction is essential to ensuring proper performance.
You’ll find that concrete sealers provide many benefits. They help ensure that concrete is watertight and durable for years to come, minimizing the need for costly repairs. And with an evolutionary technology developed in half a century ago, acrylic sealants have been used by contractors in recent years to improve functionality and longevity of concrete surfaces with minimal maintenance.
As a professional contractor or builder, you’re probably familiar with some of the major advantages offered by acrylic sealants:
To protect the concrete during casting and curing, a spray-on curing compound is needed.
You can choose from many different curing compounds, depending on your project and the kind of look you want. These chemicals form a film over the concrete to slow evaporation and promote better curing. Curing compounds are usually applied as a liquid, either by spraying or painting. They come in white or clear formulas and will dry so you don’t have to worry about tracking them into your house.
When should you apply curing cement? As soon as the concrete has hardened enough to resist damage from rain and wind, which takes around three days. The best time is probably just after floating and troweling has been completed, especially when there will be no more foot traffic in an area (as would happen if it was a garage floor). For driveways, this might be when you finish up with the hand-held finishing tools (a darby) but before using any power troweling equipment.
Concrete sealant helps ensure that concrete is watertight and durable for years to come.
Concrete sealant is a waterproofing agent that prevents moisture from seeping into concrete cracks, providing protection against harsh weather conditions and road salts. Concrete sealant gives your driveway, patio or other concrete structure a polished look while preserving its color, texture and finish. By applying a sealant to your new or old concrete surface, you can increase its durability without investing in an expensive replacement project.
What Does Concrete Sealant Do?
- Preserves the structural integrity of your patio, driveway, sidewalk or other concrete surface by repelling water
- Helps the surface resist damage from extreme heat and cold
- Protects against mildew and algae growth
- Repels oil spills and staining from automotive fluids
An evolutionary technology developed in half a century ago, acrylic sealants have been used by contractors in recent years to improve functionality and longevity of concrete surfaces with minimal maintenance.
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Using concrete additives will help your concrete get better results in both residential and commercial applications
If you’re looking to get the best results from your concrete, both in a residential and commercial setting, you will want to make sure that you are using an additive. Using concrete additives will help your concrete get better results in both residential and commercial applications.Concrete additives are used to solve problems that can affect concreting.
Concrete additives are used to solve problems that can affect concreting. We’ve all been there. You mix up a batch of concrete, pour it into your forming, and then you notice that the concrete is dark in spots, hasn’t set up properly, or has cracked. These problems can be due to shrinkage, cracking, efflorescence (when water evaporates from the surface of your concrete leaving behind white streaks), or one of many other issues. Using a concrete additive can help solve these issues and ensure a strong set.
The first thing to do is measure your ingredients.
The first thing to do is measure your ingredients. It’s crucial to get the mix right, so make sure you have everything you need before you put it together. To measure ingredients, use a set of mixing buckets like these ones here (they’re watertight and easy to pour from). You’ll also need a scale for measuring dry ingredients—preferably one that can be recalibrated (that way, if yours gets damaged or inaccurate over time, you can easily fix it). A digital scale with a readout is preferred. Finally, grab whatever tools are required for the specific kind of concrete additive you’re using (check the instructions on the packaging for more info).
There are a number of ways you can control the temperature of concrete during the curing process.
There are a number of ways you can control the temperature of concrete during the curing process.
Use insulated forms to protect concrete from rapid heat loss and prevent cold joints.
Use lightweight aggregate to reduce heat gain or loss.
Add admixtures that will reduce water content (see note below).
Provide shade for concrete, and use wind breaks for windy conditions to reduce heat gain, particularly in the first three days after placement. See Table 1, below.
Use electric or steam heaters to maintain a constant temperature, except during extremely hot weather. See Table 2 and 3, below, for these formulas.
Table 1: Recommended Maximum Concrete Temperature and Curing Periods (in Hours)
Protecting concrete from dust and other contaminants during construction is essential to ensuring proper performance.
You’ll find that concrete sealers provide many benefits. They help ensure that concrete is watertight and durable for years to come, minimizing the need for costly repairs. And with an evolutionary technology developed in half a century ago, acrylic sealants have been used by contractors in recent years to improve functionality and longevity of concrete surfaces with minimal maintenance.
As a professional contractor or builder, you’re probably familiar with some of the major advantages offered by acrylic sealants:
To protect the concrete during casting and curing, a spray-on curing compound is needed.
You can choose from many different curing compounds, depending on your project and the kind of look you want. These chemicals form a film over the concrete to slow evaporation and promote better curing. Curing compounds are usually applied as a liquid, either by spraying or painting. They come in white or clear formulas and will dry so you don’t have to worry about tracking them into your house.
When should you apply curing cement? As soon as the concrete has hardened enough to resist damage from rain and wind, which takes around three days. The best time is probably just after floating and troweling has been completed, especially when there will be no more foot traffic in an area (as would happen if it was a garage floor). For driveways, this might be when you finish up with the hand-held finishing tools (a darby) but before using any power troweling equipment.
Concrete sealant helps ensure that concrete is watertight and durable for years to come.
Concrete sealant is a waterproofing agent that prevents moisture from seeping into concrete cracks, providing protection against harsh weather conditions and road salts. Concrete sealant gives your driveway, patio or other concrete structure a polished look while preserving its color, texture and finish. By applying a sealant to your new or old concrete surface, you can increase its durability without investing in an expensive replacement project.
What Does Concrete Sealant Do?
Preserves the structural integrity of your patio, driveway, sidewalk or other concrete surface by repelling water
Helps the surface resist damage from extreme heat and cold
Protects against mildew and algae growth
Repels oil spills and staining from automotive fluids
An evolutionary technology developed in half a century ago, acrylic sealants have been used by contractors in recent years to improve functionality and longevity of concrete surfaces with minimal maintenance.
Oops! Click Regenerate Content below to try generating this section again.
Using concrete additives will help your concrete get better results in both residential and commercial applications
If you’re looking to get the best results from your concrete, both in a residential and commercial setting, you will want to make sure that you are using an additive. Using concrete additives will help your concrete get better results in both residential and commercial applications.