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    10/15/2013

    Coloured Concrete

    Metro Mix Concrete

    Visit: http://www.metromixconcrete.com.au

    http://www.metromixconcrete.com.au/http://www.metromixconcrete.com.au/http://www.metromixconcrete.com.au/
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    COLOURED CONCRETE

    Concrete is the most durable, catchy and cost-effective material available in the market. It is the

    best flooring option that one could choose upon as it provides amazing transformation and worth

    the money paid for. The manufacturers are now offering an infinite number of colouring

    techniques and wide palette of shades for the customers to choose from. It is important to

    communicate with your contractor prior to the install of the concrete regarding the colour and

    design options that will suit your flooring and enhance its richness.

    ASPECTS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING COLOURED CONCRETE

    FLOORING

    Concrete Colour Charts Can Be Unreliable

    The concrete colour charts can be deceptive and need not specify the final outcomes

    exactly. Asking for a trial application for the concrete mix that you are going to use

    would be a wise choice as the colour of the concrete widely depends upon various factors

    like the condition of the concrete, its original colour, the usage of right polish and

    colouring equipments.

    Concrete Colouring Generates Luxurious Richness

    Decide on what look you want to achieve for your floor with colouring and explain it

    clearly to your contractor to choose upon the best combination of colours for your design

    needs.

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    Consistency Matters

    The cement type and its brand, aggregates, water-cement ratio has considerable impact on

    the consistency in every patch of your flooring project. Colour variations can be caused

    when unique batches of concrete vary and also during the operational timings like curing

    and staining methods.

    Custom Hues Can Also Be Formulated

    If you cannot find the exact colour for your floor, ask the contractor for custom colour

    matching to suit your project or design scheme. And, the custom hues are achieved by

    mixing two or more colours.

    HOW COLOURED CONCRETE CAN REJUVENATE DULL FLOORING

    Select The Right Concrete Finishing Tool

    The look of your concrete floor can be updated by asking for colouring options from the

    contractor. The colour variations can be caused by various factors like

    Inconsistencies in the finishing practices

    Timing of operations

    Decoration Methods

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    Unlimited Colour Options

    Once there were only limited colour choices, but now the manufacturers are offering

    unlimited colour choices to suit your homes interior and exterior.

    Elegance

    Choose on the best colour options and you need not worry about the hassle of

    maintaining the floor, as this creative option will keep the floor away from rotting or

    cracking.

    Make Your Statement With The Decorative Option

    Using the same colour or finish for the concrete as those of elements like the window,

    walls, porch lights, etc. will create a sophisticated look.

    A Welcoming Entrance

    The decorative colouring options added to the entrance of a home adds value to it and

    complements the style.

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    Consider Roof Colours

    The colour of your concrete if matches the paint colour on the wall or when it repeats the

    hues from the brick will produce a cohesive look.

    COMMON CONCRETE PROBLEMS, CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

    The few common concrete problems are Scaling, Shrinkage, Discolouration and Crazing.

    1. DISCOLOURATION

    The concrete should have the same colour after the pour, unless high quality colour

    pigment is added specifically. Improper placement or variations in the finishing

    operations, excessive or hard troweling may cause discolourations.

    Ways to Prevent Discolouration

    The set time of concrete can be accelerated and the strength can be increased with

    Calcium chloride. Liquid chloride will not cause discolouration and the usage of Calcium

    chloride flakes can cause dark spots as they are difficult to dissolve.

    Constant subgrade should be maintained for placement, finishing and the cure of

    concrete.

    2. SCALING

    The flaking or peeling of the finished concrete as a result of exposure to freezing and

    thawing is called as Scaling. Generally it starts within a small area and expands

    gradually.

    Causes For ScalingThe use of little air entrained concrete.

    The finishing operation performed when there is bleed water is on the surface.

    Weak surface skin is caused because of insufficient curing.

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    Ways To Prevent It

    Delay the finishing operation until all standing water has evaporated or removed.

    Use low slump and air-entrained concrete, which is to be exposed to the freezing and

    thawing cycles.

    Protect the Concrete against harsh winter environments by the usage of silane or

    siloxane-based breathable concrete sealer or water-repellant to prevent the newly placed

    concrete from becoming saturated with water.

    Avoid the usage of salt or any other harsh chemicals once the concrete has finished

    especially during the first winter.

    3. PLASTIC SHRINKAGE

    The cracks formed before the concrete is set (i.e., is still plastic) is called as Plastic shrinkage.

    The cracks form a random pattern or simply parallel to each other and will not be evident until

    the next day. The small and shallow cracks in the initial stages with subsequent movement will

    increase the size and seriously impair the performance of the concrete.

    Causes For Plastic Shrinkage

    Bleeding is a process in which moisture rises to the surface during the placement of

    concrete. When the water dries, the surface is subjected to cracks, when the rate of

    evaporation is quicker than it is replaced by further bleeding.

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    The rate of evaporation of bleed water is determined by several environmental factors

    like high temperatures, low humidity and high wind.

    Ways To Prevent It

    Dampen the subgrade and forms

    Reduce the wind velocity by erecting wind breaks

    Minimize placing and finishing time

    Curing promptly after finishing

    4. CRAZING

    The development of a network of fine random cracks or fissures on the surface of the concrete

    caused by the shrinkage of the surface layer is called as crazing.

    Causes For Crazing

    The rapid moisture loss results in crazing.

    Usage of too much placing tools, dry cement or rapid drying of the concrete surface.

    Poor or inadequate curing.

    The frequent cause is sprinkling cement on the surface to dry up the bleed water.

    Ways To Prevent It

    Usage of evaporation retardants or fog spray.

    Cure the concrete immediately.

    Use moderate slump concrete with reduced bleeding characteristics.

    Do not finish concrete before it has completed bleeding.

    Do not dust cement to absorb bleed water on the surface.

    Do not sprinkle water on the surface while finishing concrete.

    The common ways to avoid these problems are to start out with the high quality mix, proper

    finishing of the concrete, treating the concrete right once it is placed.

    For More Details Contact Us:http://www.metromixconcrete.com.au/

    http://www.metromixconcrete.com.au/http://www.metromixconcrete.com.au/http://www.metromixconcrete.com.au/