Whether you have an existing concrete project or a new one we can help.  The concrete industry has rapidly developed many decorative products that can be applied to existing plain gray driveways.  Our stamping overlay or stencil overlay system would be a beautiful investment in your home or business.

     The subgrade should be compacted and have an even thickness. A standard is 4" thick – you want 4" thick continuously, not a 3½" to 4½" varying thickness.

The Correct Concrete Mix:

     A 4000-psi, .50 water to cement ratio is best for concrete slab construction. This provides better wear ability and a "denser" concrete than the typical 2500-psi mix.

     In our cold climate, air entrainment is added to the concrete at the batch plant. This entrained air allows any moisture which does enter the concrete to expand in the microscopic air pockets during a freeze/thaw cycle instead of putting internal pressure on the concrete.

     Joints should be at least ¼ the concrete thickness – so a 1" deep joint should be used in a 4" thick slab. Joints should also be spaced 2-3 times in feet the thickness of the concrete: so a 4" thick slab should have joints no farther than 8’ – 12’.

     If joints are spaced too far apart, cracks will often occur where the joints should have been.  We usually saw cut our joints within a week of pouring the concrete.

     For best drainage, the concrete should slope ¼" per running foot away from the home. If proper drainage is prevented due to the area of concrete being locked between two structures, a drain may need to be installed which will collect the water at a low point in the concrete and feed it down the drain.  It is very important you direct water away from the slab.  Many slabs have to be replaced due to downspouts emptying directly onto or next to the drive or sidewalk.

     Reinforcement can be with either wire mesh, or steel bars placed in a grid pattern. In either effort need to be taken to keep the reinforcement in the center of the concrete. Note that reinforcement does not eliminate cracks – it simply holds them together.

     After concrete is bull-floated, it should be left alone until all the bleed water on top of the concrete has evaporated. Starting the finishing operation too soon can trap surface water and create a weak surface.

     Of course, there are many other important steps in building a concrete slab. The items listed here, though, are the most common causes of problems when not done properly.

     Plain gray concrete benefits by being cleaned and sealed periodically. But if this basic maintenance isn’t done – well, it still looks OK. Decorative concrete, however, needs to be maintained to continue to look good for years. And thus protect your investment.

     Usually simply cleaning thoroughly once a year with a pressure washer, or floor polisher using a degreaser, then sealing the surface, will keep colors looking vibrant for years.

 

Exposed-aggregate concrete can almost be compared to a piece of granite or marble transformed by polishing: A plain, unremarkable surface has been stripped away to reveal the exceptional beauty lying beneath. In the case of concrete, that beauty is in the form of decorative aggregate, either natural or manufactured. The decorative process of exposing aggregate has been around since the early 1900s, well before pattern stamping, stenciling, and decorative overlays became trendy. But this method is far from being ready for retirement. An exposed-aggregate finish offers numerous advantages.   We have met the needs of many commercial and industrial facilities here in upstate, NY.  We have the experience and the equipment to take a project from engineering to completion. Our experience with production and commercial requirements also means that we can work with you to schedule your concrete project around your facility's shutdowns, holidays, and other periods to minimize the impact on your profitability. We take great pride in our ability to produce finished concrete with the exacting results. We utilize modern concrete mix designs, admixtures, and finishing techniques to significantly reduce downtime. The knowledge and experience of the IBS Builders, LLC. crew shows in the quality of every project we complete. We utilize the latest technological advances in concrete forming and finishing equipment to meet your construction goals.  We are safety oriented and strive to maintain OSHA compliance. We are also fully equipped for to do the following:  Concrete Sawing  Core Drilling  Concrete Removal  Machine Pits  Machine Bases  Foundations  Block Walls  Demolition  Footing Excavation  Backfill  and much more   An exposed-aggregate surface is obtained by pouring concrete and then removing the outer layer of cement cream to uncover decorative coarse stone (either batched into the concrete mix or put onto the surface). Because of its durability and skid resistance, an exposed-aggregate finish is ideal for most flatwork including: Sidewalks .Driveways .Patios .Pool decks . With an exposed-aggregate finish, you can achieve spectacular effects at a reasonable cost because few additional materials (other than the decorative aggregate) and tools are required. Here are some other notable advantages of exposed-aggregate finishes: The surface is rugged, nonskid, and resistant to heavy traffic and weather extremes. Many types and sizes of decorative aggregate are available to achieve unlimited color and texture variations. Exposed aggregate is highly versatile and contrasts beautifully with plain concrete or other decorative treatments such as stamping, stenciling, staining, and integral coloring. Little maintenance is required, other than sealing and occasional cleaning. Applying a transparent concrete sealer to an exposed-aggregate surface can improve both its performance and appearance. These sealers—typically film-forming acrylic resins—can help protect against spalling,  freeze-thaw damage, stains, deicing salts, and abrasion. A sealer will also enhance the color of the aggregate, accentuating its depth and richness. When selecting an exposed-aggregate sealer, look for a product that: Is non-yellowing and UV resistant Will provide a high-gloss “wet look” that deepens and enriches the color of the aggregate Repels oil, grease, water, and stains Is recoat able.