Although often used interchangeably – even by some construction professionals – cement is not concrete nor is concrete cement. Cement is one of the basic ingredients used to make concrete. It is basically a powder substance made by burning clay and lime. When cement is mixed with other basic ingredients—sand, gravel or stone, and water—the cement and water react to form a paste that glues the remaining ingredients into a rock-like mass which is known as concrete.

Yes. Concrete can be made to order in terms of strength, workability, and durability. There is even a form of environmentally friendly concrete that allows water to pass through. This pervious concrete easily drains stormwater into the subsoil keeping it from running off into sewers, rivers, and streams.

No. Placing the concrete for your project is your concrete contractor’s responsibility. Precision Concrete Materials’ role is to produce, deliver, and discharge a good quality concrete mix that is specified for your project, in a safe and timely manner.

No. Placing the concrete for your project is your concrete contractor’s responsibility. Precision Concrete Materials’ role is to produce, deliver, and discharge a good quality concrete mix that is specified for your project, in a safe and timely manner.

Curing is the procedure for maintaining an acceptable moisture content and temperature profile in the concrete to ensure desired proper strength gain and surface quality. The potential for concrete shrinkage, cracking, and dusting increases significantly when concrete is not cured properly. Generally, the surface needs to stay moist for at least 7 days to provide good curing.

For our market area, the American Concrete Institute and the American Concrete Pavement Association recommend a minimum of seven days following concrete placement before using a concrete driveway.

While a curing compound acts to prevent moisture from leaving the concrete during initial stages of strength development, a concrete sealer is designed to prevent moisture from entering the concrete matrix, to limit surface deterioration due to cycles of freezing and thawing. New concrete should air dry for 30 days prior to the application of a concrete sealer. After that, every 2 – 3 years depending on the sealer used. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for application rates and intervals.

Yes. The rate at which concrete hardens is very much affected by temperature, moisture, and wind. Wind can cause the surface to crack. Rain will significantly weaken the surface. That’s why it’s important to work with the right concrete mix for your application.

In most instances, the answer is no. Very narrow “hairline” cracks are superficial and do not indicate any structural problem. Cracks that have movement where one side of the crack moves relative to the opposite side should be evaluated by a professional engineer.