Addressing the Problems with Stamped Concrete

In decorative concrete, numerous problems can emerge if the concrete at hand has not been properly prepared or if problems weren’t foreseen before even starting the application process. One thing to remember is that if the air entrainment is too high, strength will then go down and result in no bleed. Another problem that can occur is when the dry shake color hardeners are left to be improperly “wet out”. It must be kept in mind that uneven water-cement ratio between the plain and decorative concrete would result into spongy and undesirable surfaces; reducing water content would be the solution to this. When decorative concrete color has been improperly finished, its chemical stains will then manifest its weak color as light starts to reflect on it. Weaker surface will more likely attain traffic wear patterns and if chemical stains are present, the colored layer will just then be gradually removed by traffic.

Another issue that can arise and have similar results to the uneven water-cement ratio is the lack of curing. If calcium hydroxide fails to form in the hydrated cement, then there will be a lesser chance for certain decorative concrete products to attain the needed reaction. Colored surface might then seem to be less vivid as compared to concrete that has been properly cured with the same amount and quality of color. Surfaces would then appear to be less intense and the traffic wearing and dusts can soon afterwards create certain patterns on it. Some decorative finishes, however, are not able to handle the same methods of curing that are usually applied on plain concrete.