Concrete

Vetrofluid and Concrete Vetrofluid is a high-performance, liquid-based protective treatment designed for various surfaces, including concrete. When applied to concrete, it enhances the material’s resistance to environmental factors, making it a more durable and long-lasting option. Futher, the primary benefit of using Vetrofluid on concrete is its ability to protect the surface from water, chemicals, and physical wear. By applying this, it can prolong the lifespan of the concrete and maintain its appearance.   Key Features of Vetrofluid for Concrete: Hydrophobic Properties: Vetrofluid creates a water-repellent barrier on the concrete surface. This helps to prevent cracks and damage caused by freezing and thawing cycles. Chemical Resistance: Concrete can be vulnerable to damage from exposure to acids, oils, and other chemicals. Vetrofluid adds a protective layer that resists these substances, helping to maintain the integrity of the concrete. Improved Durability: The treatment increases the surface hardness of the concrete, making it more resistant to abrasion, staining, and general wear. This is particularly beneficial in high-traffic areas like driveways, parking lots, and industrial floors. Stain Resistance: Vetrofluid helps prevent the absorption of dirt, oils, and other stains, keeping the surface cleaner and looking new for a longer period of time.    Applications of Vetrofluid on Concrete: Driveways and Pavements: Vetrofluid is often used on concrete driveways and sidewalks to protect them from rain, snow, oil spills, and general wear and tear. Industrial and Commercial Floors: It is applied to floors in warehouses, factories, and commercial buildings to protect the concrete from chemicals, heavy equipment, and foot traffic. Exterior Concrete Surfaces: The treatment is commonly used on exterior facades, patios, and pool decks to shield the concrete from the elements, such as UV rays, rain, and dirt.   How It Works: Application: Vetrofluid is typically applied in a liquid form using a sprayer, roller, or brush. It is absorbed by the concrete, where it reacts and forms a durable protective layer. Curing and Effectiveness: The treated surface will require a short curing period to fully bond and create a protective barrier. Afterwards, the result is a concrete surface that is easier to maintain and more resistant to environmental challenges.   Benefits of Using Vetrofluid on Concrete: Increased Lifespan: By providing water and chemical resistance, Vetrofluid helps extend the lifespan of concrete surfaces. Enhanced Appearance: The treatment maintains the aesthetic appeal of the concrete by preventing stains and preserving its finish. Low Maintenance: Surfaces treated with Vetrofluid are easier to clean and maintain, as they resist dirt and oils. In summary, Vetrofluid is a highly effective treatment for concrete, providing long-term protection against environmental damages. It enhances the durability of the material and ensures that the concrete remains in good condition with minimal maintenance.     Previous PostNext Post

What is the Difference Between Cement and Concrete? Most people today don’t know the difference between concrete and cement. These two products get confused all the time in and outside of the construction world. In this article, we will discuss the difference between the two structural materials. By the end of the article, you will know the differences and how to protect concrete. Cement Portland cement is the most common cement in the world. This is because portland cement is made up of mostly clay, limestone, and sand, which are easy materials to obtain. These elements are crushed and heated into a substance called clinker. Clinker is then crushed and combined with other elements to create the cement that is universally used. Additionally, when adding water and sand to cement, it creates mortar. Mortar is used for many different things including sticking brick, stone, slate and many other things together. However, when adding sand, water, and stone to cement, it creates concrete. Concrete Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, aggregates, and other mixtures. All this combined material makes concrete strong and durable. Within 25-30 days of being poured and set, concrete normally reaches between 3,000- 4,000 PSI. However, other types of concrete can reach well beyond that strength and is mostly used for large buildings, bridges and dams. It’s the most used building material in the world. Everything from buildings to roads and bridges and tunnels, all can be made of concrete. Concrete is one of the many building materials that can last decades and even centuries. Of course, this is only possible with the right precautions. One of the precautions to take is sealing the concrete. Sealing the concrete helps protect it from road salt and moisture as well as chips and cracks. In the long run, it’s beneficial and adds to the curb appeal of the concrete.   American Concrete Services offers a variety of concrete needs including new concrete and concrete sealing. Our professional technicians will come out and provide you with wonderful results that will last years to come. Previous PostNext Post

What is the Best Method to Protect Concrete this Winter? As winter is right around the corner, you may begin to wonder what the best method of treating concrete is. Although road salt is the most common method of treating snow and ice, is it safe for concrete? Are there alternative methods to treat concrete? Methods of Treating Concrete Road salt, or rock salt, has been around for decades and is used to treat roads and sidewalks. It helps to make it safer for drivers and pedestrians to drive or walk across. Road salt doesn’t melt the ice, but rather it lowers the temperature that water freezes at. Water naturally freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and with the salt, it starts to freeze at 15 degrees. When the freeze-thaw cycle occurs, the pores in the concrete absorb the water and salt when melted. The effects of the water and salt create pressure in the concrete when it freezes back, causing it to crack and break apart. The salt also speeds up the process of corrosion on cars and infrastructure. The chemical reaction of the salt and the metal it touches can create rust overtime. Even though this happens to concrete and infrastructure, it still is the most used deicer. The United States uses between 20-30 million tons of salt each year to treat roads. With a number like that, some may wonder if there’s a more effective way to treat concrete in the winter. One of the alternatives to salt is beet juice. Beet juice has similar effects to salt. The sugars in the juice help to reduce the freezing point of water when mixed with salt brine. In order to reap its full potential, the beet juice needs to be applied to the road or sidewalk before it starts to snow or ice over.  However, when it is applied, it doesn’t bounce around like rock salt does. It is sticky and can last longer in the spot it was poured at rather than salt. It also is safe for concrete, plants, animals and metals. This is essential for protecting the longevity of concrete as it doesn’t lead to it breaking down over time. However, some of the downsides are you need a lot of beet juice, which can be expensive. It also has the potential to smell and can leave a temporary stain until it is washed away. Other Solutions Even though road salt and beet juice act as deicers, there still lies a bigger problem. Concrete is still exposed to both materials. How can a homeowner or business owner protect their property for the long run from deicers? The answer lies with Vetro Fluid. Vetro Fluid is a concrete sealant and is used by spraying a coat over the surface of the concrete. As we talked about earlier, concrete is a porous material, and this can lead to it cracking and breaking overtime when exposed to salt and different elements. By sealing off the surface of the concrete, it closes the pores and leaves a protective coating on top. This leaves a permanent solution to protect concrete against salt, the freeze-thaw cycle, and other products and elements in the environment. American Concrete Services offers concrete sealing with Vetro Fluid. We will come out and apply a coat to the top of the surface, leaving you with a protected sidewalk, driveway, or patio. This will provide protection for your concrete this winter and for years to come. Previous PostNext Post

Mud Jacking VS Foam Lifting When people need their concrete leveled, they most likely come across two different options. The first option is mud jacking and the second is foam lifting. What are the differences between these two options? Which one will be better in the long run?   Mud jacking has been around for decades and has been the go-to for a long time. This form of concrete raising involves drilling a hole a few inches in diameter through the concrete. The technicians then pump a slurry mix consisting of cement, soil, and water through the concrete. This process lifts the concrete back to its original height leaving a large hole in the concrete to be patched. The average slurry mixes when hardened averages close to an addition 100 LBS per square foot. This weight is directly connected to the slab. Eventually, the slab will sink more with the additional weight added. On the other hand, foam lifting uses foam instead of additional concrete. This method is known by a variety of names. Some names include polyurethane foam lifting, foam jacking, poly-leveling, concrete foam lifting, and much more. Foam lifting involves drilling a 3/8th inch hole in the concrete and using a foam gun to inject the chemical mixture underneath the slab. As soon as the mixture is underneath the concrete, it starts expanding and slowly raising the concrete. The foam doesn’t weight the slab down since its only weights 2-4 LBS per square foot. It also cures in rapid time and only takes 15 minutes to reach 90% strength. When the technicians are all done, covering the hole is very simple as it just needs a little bit of silicon caulk. What do you think now about mud jacking and foam lifting? Which one will be better for you in the long run? Previous PostNext Post

Ground Penetrating Radar Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a tool used for non-destructive testing and surveying of subsurface structures in various materials. Below is a breakdown of its functionality and importance in the world of construction: Principle of Operation: GPR operates by emitting electromagnetic waves into the ground or concrete. These waves penetrate through different materials and reflect back to the antenna of the equipment. The signal is then processed to create a visual representation of the subsurface, typically displayed as a parabolic image on the machine’s screen.   Frequency and Variables: The frequency of the electromagnetic waves used in GPR ranges from 10 MHz to 2.6 GHz. The choice of frequency depends on several factors: Ground Conditions: Moisture content and conductivity affect wave transmission. Material Type: Concrete is generally easier to scan than soil due to its lower water content. Depth of Object: Higher frequencies provide clearer images but do not penetrate as deeply as lower frequencies, which provide deeper penetration but may result in less detailed images   Applications: Object Detection: GPR is used to locate underground utilities, pipes, conduits, rebar, and other structures. Void Detection: It can identify empty spaces or voids caused by settling, decay, or other factors. Safety in Construction: GPR helps prevent accidents during construction. GPR does this by ensuring that critical elements are not inadvertently damaged during core drilling, saw cutting, or demolition.   Benefits: Safety: By accurately mapping subsurface features, GPR helps prevent damage to utilities and structures, thus enhancing safety for workers and avoiding costly repairs. Efficiency: It reduces the need for trial excavations or exploratory digging, saving time and resources. Accuracy: Modern GPR systems provide high-resolution imaging that aids in precise planning and decision-making.   Limitations: While GPR is effective, it has limitations: Resolution vs. Depth: Achieving high resolution often means sacrificing the depth penetration and vice versa. Interpretation: Skill and experience are required to interpret GPR data accurately, especially in complex environments.   In conclusion, GPR plays a critical role in modern construction and infrastructure projects by providing essential information about subsurface conditions. Its ability to detect objects and voids, coupled with its safety benefits, makes it a valuable asset for ensuring efficient and secure construction practices. Previous PostNext Post