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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are some of the frequently asked questions we receive on concrete coatings, resurfacing, clean & seal services, and concrete. Interested in learning more? Contact us today to talk to a Concrete Science concrete specialist in the Minneapolis area.
They certainly can be but are not standard in our installations.
Stem walls are the short concrete footing found between the garage floor and the surrounding walls. We can coat these for an additional cost.
No. Although designed to be extremely robust and resistant to impact, our floor coating systems can still see wear and tear over time.
Being UV-resistant, the polyaspartic urethane topcoats and aggregates will not amber from sun exposure. However, floor systems with a light or medium flake spread may see a moderate color shift over the years.
We utilize HEPA filter dust extraction systems to mitigate dust generation and leftover debris during the grinding processes.
For garage floor systems, we normally stick to 100% Solids Epoxy (Low-VOC) as well as Polyaspartic Urethane/Polyurea.
Usually, the rule of thumb is to allow 24-48 hours after installation to allow your polyaspartic garage floor coating to fully set and cure.
Depending on the particular job, conditions, and specifications, 1-day garage floor installations are certainly possible. Do note, however, that there are many variables at play when determining the right process for each job.
For standard garage floor installations, you can usually expect 1-2 days of work. This, of course, depends on the specifics and variables of the job at hand.
Being designed to dry rapidly for next-day completion, polyaspartic coatings are capable of curing within just a couple of hours after application.
Yes. Even in below-freezing temperatures, polyaspartics have no problem being applied to surfaces.
Polyaspartic and epoxy coatings are most often rolled on.
Polyaspartic and epoxy coatings are often found with traditional flooring systems such as solid color industrial flooring, seamless flake flooring, as well as monolithic quartz flooring. In addition, decorative dye, seal, and metallic floor coating systems have started to see more involvement with polyaspartic coating technology.
Being 100% solid, fast curing, and UV resistant, these coatings add a protective layer of aliphatic polyurea, which is applied to prevent corrosion and erosion.
Yes, the resurfacing material can be applied to concrete steps, risers, and treads.
No. Your concrete surface must be paint-free before resurfacing can happen. We do, however, offer grind and paint removal services in order to get your concrete ready for resurfacing.
We will do what we can to level out any low spots, but no guarantee. Our finish coat, however, is non-porous, which means your new surface will not soak up water like traditional concrete.
Depending on the size, design, and conditions of the job, a normal concrete resurfacing project takes around 2 to 8 days to finish and cure.
Depending on the design and conditions, resurfaced concrete often has a semi-smooth surface that can take on the appearance of classic textures such as tile, brick, and wood patterns.
Being a multi-layered product, most resurfacing projects include 3 to 6 layers of acrylic coating application.
Resurfacing is the installation of an acrylic decorative concrete coating over old or new concrete surfaces.
Since reactive sealers penetrate deep into the concrete surface, you can generally expect around 2-4 years of solid use before needing maintenance.
Generally, reactive sealers have little to no effect on a concrete surface’s profile or traction. Of course, anti-slip additives can always be used in order to add extra grip in areas that are exposed to excess foot or vehicle traffic.
Depending on the type of sealer you choose, your sealed surface can range from a near-invisible result to a color-enhanced and high-gloss finish. Whether you’re looking for a matte, glossed, satin, or opaque finish, we can bring your vision to life.
Since concrete is an innately porous material, it has a tendency to absorb liquids. During freeze-thaw cycles, these liquids can freeze and expand, resulting in cracks and uneven surfaces. On top of this, things such as oil, salt, fertilizers, and other household chemicals can lead to damage and discoloration over time.
Any exterior concrete that is prone to freeze-thaw cycles or harmful UV rays should be sealed. In addition, concrete that is susceptible to dust, stains, abrasions, and chemical spills should be sealed in order to retain its appearance.
Pigments and colored aggregates can be added to a concrete mix to give it a colorful appearance. Textures can then be added to the concrete surface, ranging from rough gravel finishes to smooth, polished finishes. Different patterns, shapes, and designs can also be scored, stamped, rolled, or inlaid into the concrete to resemble different textures such as stone, brick, or tile.
Yes. In fact, during a project, concrete is constantly being recycled from start to finish. Waste and by-products are added back into the concrete mix in order to reduce the need for new raw materials. Concrete at the end of its life cycle can also be ground down and reused in future mixes.
By the cubic yard, which means it is measured in 3’x3’x3′ (or 27 cubic feet). A normal cubic yard of concrete weighs in at approximately 4,000 pounds.
More often than not, cracks in your concrete happen during freeze-thaw cycles due to previously absorbed liquid freezing and expanding. However, small cracks in your concrete are perfectly normal and will not compromise the structural integrity of your surface.
Although concrete is built pretty tough by nature, it is still certainly susceptible to damage. Applying sealant and keeping your concrete clean is the best way to ensure it stands the test of time.
While many variables can affect the curing process of concrete (such as temperature, material, and mixture), on average, it takes about 2-3 hours to set and another 7 days to fully cure. You can expect the concrete to continue strengthening for about a month.
The strength of your concrete often depends on the ratio of water to cement as well as the quality of materials being used within. Strength is determined using various flexural mechanical and compression tests (PSI).
Concrete is made by combining cement, water, aggregates, paste, and other additives. Oftentimes other mineral colors are added to give it a unique aesthetic for various applications and designs.
