FAQ’S

You have questions — we have answers. Get answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions we receive.

 

When is the best time of year to pour concrete?  Ideally, the spring or summer time is the best. But, as long as the temperature is at least 32 degrees and rising, concrete will be just fine.  When temperatures are extremely cold or hot additives can be added to compensate for the extremely cold or hot.

I noticed that my patio has a small crack forming.  Concrete does start to crack as it is poured and set.  We take every precaution to prevent the cracks from being a problem.  Such as cutting joints and sawing concrete to minimized the  cracks.  If the ground under it shifts or swells, then the concrete will crack.  The vast majority of the time, you cannot see the crack.  In rare instances, you may see a crack.  Sudden changes in temperature such as extreme heat and no rain (a drought) can break down the bond between the cement and the stone added.  If it is no wider than 1/8″ then a mortar caulk can be applied to keep moisture out.  If the crack is wider than 1/4″ then you need to have a professional look at it.

Should I use wire mesh or rebar in the concrete?  It all depends on what you are pouring.  If you are attaching a sidewalk to a patio, for instance, then you do need to have rebar drilled into the patio so that the concrete will set up better.

What should I look for in a concrete contractor? Well first of all, you should use someone who is licensed and bonded. If you hire someone who is not licensed, and you run into legal problems if your work is not up to city and/or county code and you do not have a permit, in a worst case situation, all of your work may have to be torn out and redone.

Will my insurance pay for a new patio or driveway?  You should contact your insurance agent.

How soon can I drive on my new driveway? You need to wait 5 days.

What is stamped concrete?  Stamped Concrete is a process of adding color and a textured pattern to a plain concrete slab at the time of pouring. When finished the concrete has the look and feel of brick, slate or stone, with the contour and coloring to match these surfaces.

What are the advantages of stamped concrete?  With Stamped Concrete the possibilities are endless - a big variety of stamp patterns are available and each may be used with a variety of colors to achieve your desired result. You will also save significantly over cobblestone, slate, pavers, stone, tile, or brick, especially labor cost which is much higher with those other materials.

What maintenance is required with Stamped Concrete? Stamped Concrete is maintenance free. You may, if you chose, apply a fresh sealer coat every other year, to bring back the original sheen. The surface is extremely easy to clean - there are no grout joints to retain dirt and mold.

 

 

Four Seasons Concrete, Inc

                                                                                        336-292-3812

                                                                                         fscon@bellsouth.net