Here are a few things that may help you with your upcoming projects. If you don't find what you are looking for, please call our office and we will surely be able to help you out!
Our Useful Tips
How to Add Colour to Your Concrete
How to Add Colour to Your Concrete
Sim Stain
A water-based concrete stain is used after concrete is poured and cured. See Sim Stain for colour chart and application instructions.
Acid Stain
An acid-based concrete stain is used, which has a chemical reaction with the free lime in concrete after it is poured and cured. Colours available are:
Acid Staining Preparation & Procedure
Concrete Stamping
When getting prepared to stamp concrete, pour concrete as you would for the job at hand. Flatten concrete by using a float or an appropriate concrete tool. When the concrete reaches the plastic stage, the stamps shall be applied to make the desired impression in the surface. After creating the impression, pull up the mat and rotate along the path.Installing Paving Stone
1. Measurements2. Excavation:
The secret of a long-lasting paving stone project lies in a good compacted base for the paving stone to rest on. How thick the base needs to be depends on the soil conditions and the project you are doing. Remove any unstable soil and replace this with a good compacting gravel such as crusher dust. This gravel should have a binder in it such as a bit of clay so that it packs rock hard. We recommend using a pate vibrator or roller and tamp the gravel in 3” – 4” layers. Get your base as level as possible making sure it slopes correctly. The paving stone surface will conform exactly to the base so make sure it is level.
TipsConcrete Sealers
Yorkton Concrete currently markets 4 types of sealers suitable for use on concrete flatwork such as driveways, garage pads, sidewalks, and patios. These products are:
Allied AC 309A
A clear modified solvent base acrylic which forms a membrane to reduce intrusion of water, salts and motor oil. This product is effective if properly applied but is affected by UV and wear and should be re-applied every year or so depending on the traffic. This product should not be used as a curing compound on Saskatchewan concrete which is subject to shale popping. Allow 28 days of good curing and drying conditions before applying as a sealer. Used mainly on smooth trowel, broom-finish surfaces.
Allied AC 309A-HS
Same as above but with higher solids content and a higher gloss. This sealer is used mostly on exposed aggregate surface.
Allied AC 425
A Methacrylate sealer with appearance and properties similar to AC 309, but offering more durability. It will provide UV resistance approximately twice as long as an acrylic sealer.
***Acrylic and methacrylate sealers will be slippery when applied to a smooth surface. To improve slip resistance, Z-Lite ceramic spheres can be added at a rate of up to ½kg per 20 liter pail. Mix thoroughly and then apply sealer with a paint roller. Used mainly on exposed aggregate and stampcrete type surfaces.
Allied AC 30
An alkoxysiloxane which penetrates up to 5mm into the concrete depending on porosity and chemically bonds there by reacting with the moisture either present in the substrate or in the atmosphere. This product is very effective against water and salt intrusion. AC 30 is a penetrant and will not wear off, therefore can be considered permanent unless the concrete wears to the depth of penetration. AC 30 will not prevent oil staining. Acrylic sealers may be applied over AC 30 to protect against staining by motor oil. Used on smooth trowel and broom finish surfaces.
Sealers can be very effective in helping to overcome the natural limitations of concrete; however their use will not prevent or overcome the faults of a badly constructed slab due to poor placing, finishing practices or improper design. Since we have no control over these variables, Yorkton Concrete cannot offer any warranty on these products.
Tech Tips
Read even more helpful tips at the Saskatchewan Ready Mix Concrete Association website.