Stamped Concrete Training - Stamped Concrete DVD

Concrete Coatings can be stamped, stained or textured. Concrete floor coatings  can be applied using a trowel or spray coat applicator, coating the concrete floor. Concrete garage floor coating applications using epoxy concrete floor coatings, should be ventilated. More information on concrete floor coatings or concrete garage floor coating, go to Concrete coatings page.

A Concrete floor is usually poured using 2500 or 3000 lb. concrete depending on the type of decorative concrete coating for the interior of your home. A stained concrete floor interior should be at a 4000 lb psi. using a higher strength of cement will enhance the color and depth of a stained concrete floor, while adding durability with minimal added cost. Blocking out sections in the floor (interior rooms) to be poured, stained or stamped at a later date is a recommended proses. Using key way throughout the perimeter of the floor slab will insure the concrete floor from heaving from adjacent concrete. Concrete floors can be monolithic or poured seperat from steam wall or block. Usually footings are dug to the required depth depending on freeze and though climite of the geographic area. Midwest requires a 3 ft. footing in undisterbed ground where in parts of Arizona 18 inches is all that is required, it is vitale that the footing is below the frost line. Stable footings also require steel horazontal bar with a 1 foot overlap suspended by wire. The forms and steel instulation is then inspected by city or state inspectors who, for the most part are very knowlegeble.

Stamped concrete driveway pouring is usually placed with minimal difficulty by backing the Ready-mix truck from the street to the desired location to start placement in the stamped concrete driveway. A 3000 lb psi. concrete mix at a 5.50 depth is recommended with 3/8" or 1/2" steel rebar tied on 4 ft. centers to assure a strong slab. After forming the  concrete driveway the sub grade is compacted using a mechanical device, Jumping Jack, Plate compactor or roller, if not compacted prior to forming. Concrete slabs are only as strong as the ground that is poured on, using steel in conjunction with compacting will greatly enhance the strength and life of the stamped concrete driveway. Concrete driveway can be stamped concrete, stained concrete, regular gray, exposed aggregate or textured. Once the stamped concrete driveway is finished, a curing compound is applied to seal the slab for superior moisture retention, producing a harder concrete driveway.

Concrete Patio installation is usually placed using wheel borrows or a concrete pump, the added cost is slightly higher then a driveway. Concrete patio installation practices, compaction, steel reinforcement and curing of the concrete patio apply. In Arizona, concrete patios, garage, entry ways and floors need to be termite protected using a licenced contractor within 24hrs of the concrete being poured. Concrete patios can be stamped concrete, stained concrete, regular gray, exposed aggregate or a textured concrete slab construction.

Epoxy Coatings, garage floor, concrete driveway or concrete patio is a new trend coming more and more popular as the prices of such coatings have been reduced due to its durability, not having the cost of removing all of the concrete. With the new styles of patterns and colors, almost any look can be achieved closely matching existing colors of your home or business. We only use the highest quality products available to ensure a great look and durability.

Concrete Tools - Bull Float, Magnesium Bull Floats, Trowels, Steel Trowels, Blue Steel Trowels, Finishing Trowels, Pool Trowels, Steel Pool Trowels, Hand Edgers, Edgers, Steel Edgers, Blue Steel Edgers, Walking Edgers, Steel Walking Edgers, Curb Tools, Curb Tool, Nose Tool, Cove Tool, Base Tool, Curb and Gutter Tools, Step Tools Cove and Nose Tools, Hand Groovers, Hand Jointers, Steel Groovers, Steel Jointers, Joint Hand Groover, Walking Groovers, Walking Jointers, Steel Walking Groovers, Magnesium Hand Floats, Magnesium Floats, Wood Float, Wood Floats, Wood Bull Float, Darbies, Wood Darbies, Magnesium Barbies, Fresno Trowels, Fresno, Blue Gliders, Blue Glider, Steel Fresno, Push Button Handles, Extension Handle, Concrete Extension Handles, Handle Adapter, Adapters, Steel Screeds, Concrete Screed, Metal Screeds, Brooms, Concrete Brooms, Horsehair Brooms, Concrete Horsehair Broom, Knee Board, Steel Knee Boards, Plastic Knee Boards, Diamond Concrete Tamp, Concrete Tamp, Tamps, Roller Tamp. 

Concrete Tools are the finisher's best friend, the right concrete tool is a must in this business. Walking tools have increased efficiency by reducing the amount of time and energy refining the finish. The speed in which concrete can be tooled, lowers labor costs, in turn passing the saving on to the consumer. Old school books found at your public library published in the 1950's, are the preferred practice of concrete placement and refining of concrete. This day and age, refining the finish is more then just a Bull float, edger, jointing concrete tool and broom, the innovation of concrete tools allow the finisher the ability to stand upright. Using extension handles, control joints and edging can be Installed with minimal effort and speed.

Concrete Finishing of the surface is done in stages. On a large concrete slab, concrete is consolidated, Rodded off or (Screed), then it is Tamped. After Bleed water has minimized, the surface is then floated using a Bull float overlapping 50% each pass, then perpendicular or (right angle) 50% each pass, if possible, until covered. This will insure a level surface. Once the Bull floating is completed the concrete slab will need time to set or may not need time. A chemical reaction between the cement paste and water is called hydration. These compounds in cement form chemical bonds with water molecules and become hydrates or hydration products. The cement needs moisture to hydrate and cure or (harden). The set time or hydration, is influenced by atmospheric conditions, wind, temperature, humidity, soil moisture content, all play a factor with aspect to hydration. When the surface is slightly firm to the touch, a Fresno is used to refine the finish using the 50% overlap each pass and perpendicular. A steel edger tool is used to refine the edges of the slab and magnesium float is used to refine the perimeter. When the surface is firm to the touch and still moist, 5 lbs. of weight is added to the Fresno with 50% overlap each pass and perpendicular. The Edger and Steel Trowel is used to finish around perimeter. Once the surface holds your weight with a slight imprint of your shoe, a total of 10 lbs is added to the Fresno for the last pass with 50% overlap. Edger and Steel Trowel are also used around perimeter to refine the finish. After finishing the slab to a refined finish the hydration reaction continues, moisture needs to be retained in the slab to achieve maximum strength. A curing compound such is used to seal the surface with a non-wax clear water base coating. Concrete can also be cured by submerging the slab in water or watering the slab with a sprinkler.

Concrete Contractor Phoenix, Arizona, Mesa, Phoenix,    Apache Junction, Avondale, Buckeye, Carefree, Cave Creek, Chandler, El Mirage, Fountain Hills, Gila Bend, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Guadalupe, Lichfield Park, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Queen Creek, Sun City, Surprise, Tempe, Tolleson, Youngtown, geater Phoenix Arizona area.