How is imprinted concrete done?
As you walk or drive around Huddersfield you’ll probably notice stunningly patterned concrete driveways. They are as hard as concrete but look like something completely different. Well, those surfaces are imprinted concrete and they are one of the best products currently on the market. So they are solid and look beautiful, then how is imprinted concrete done?
The process of how imprinted concrete is done
Getting things ready is the first step
Before any concrete can be poured, all projects must be properly prepared. Excavation of the existing surface to a depth of about 200mm is required so excavation machines are employed as necessary. There will be a “grab cart” for the removal of the old surface material and any other debris. We try to use grab carts wherever possible since in the vast majority of circumstances, we can remove the debris from the site on the same day that it is generated.
The amount of hardcore needed will be transported to the site and spread out. This is before being compacted with a vibrating machine, depending on the sub-base we locate during excavation. As a result, you will have a stable foundation on which to pour concrete.
As part of the pre-construction work, all of the necessary barriers, steps, flat top edges, drainage, gulley tops, and manhole covers are erected. Additionally, we apply wall gel to any walls and doors, as well as any other surfaces. This is to protect them from concrete splashes.
The concrete can now be poured.
Installing the concrete and imprinting it
Upon completion, our fibre-enmeshed, air-entrapped concrete will be 25-30% stronger than conventional concrete. While the concrete is curing, the fibres in the concrete bind together, creating additional strength. Future frost damage can be prevented by using an air entrainment chemical to coat the concrete surface.
Concrete is taken from the mixer and then “levelled” with rakes before being floated. After the concrete has been floated, it is coated with a powdered colour surface hardener, which is then brushed onto the concrete’s surface. This is the primary colour, and it’s what gives your concrete driveway its distinctive look year after year. To get the stamped concrete patterns, the concrete must be allowed to “go off” and reach the necessary viscosity. Finally, the surface of the concrete is coated with an additional colour powder called a release agent.
Using this release agent, we may set the texture mats on the concrete to imprint the specified pattern without the concrete sticking while printing. Then bunting tape or rope is placed around the perimeter of the job. This is to keep people from walking on the concrete once it has been stamped with the specified pattern.
Cutting and cleaning up
We will return to the site the following day or the day after that, depending on the drying circumstances, to place crack control cuts into the concrete slab. Afterwards, the entire concrete slab and surrounding area are jet-washed to remove dirt and debris.
The white marks you see at the bottom of the walls are the result of the wall gel we used to clean them properly. For a dust-free surface, a chemical wash is also applied to the concrete.
In other words, the driveway has been “made good,” and is now ready for sealing. But we must wait at least two dry days before returning to the location to apply the sealant.
Seal the deal (sealing the concrete)
Before applying the sealant to the pattern-imprinted concrete, it will be required to remove any loose debris and dry any damp areas.
Brushes will then be used to apply the sealant, which will have an anti-slip additive added to it.
Once the sealing is complete, we will again tape off the area so that no one walks or drives on your imprinted concrete driveway in Huddersfield.
You should keep your vehicles off the concrete for four days after sealing to allow the sealants time to harden and adhere to the concrete.
Reach out to our imprinted concrete team today!
Now you have a better understanding of how imprinted concrete is done. Therefore, the next step is to get a contractor out to measure up and give you a price. By searching for ‘imprinted concrete installers near me‘ we’ll likely be up there at the top as we’re specialists in this industry. So once you have taken a look through our services you can go ahead and call us to book a consultation.