Question 1

How long does it take for concrete to dry?

Accepted Answer

The proper term for the hardening process concrete undergoes after pouring is called "curing." The quick answer is it is generally safe to walk on fresh concrete after 48 hours and drive on it after 28 days. Concrete actually takes years to cure fully and depends on the type of concrete used, mix specifications, weather conditions, chemicals used, water added, and other variables.  After pouring you will be told when you can walk, drive, or place furniture on the concrete.

Question 2

How soon can I walk on my new concrete?

Accepted Answer

You can usually walk on your new concrete 48 hours after it's poured. We'll provide specific instructions at our pre-construction meeting, where we'll also finalize the contract and start date.

Question 3

How much weight can my concrete hold?

Accepted Answer

We typically use 3500 to 5000 psi concrete on all our flat work. Foundations are usually poured with 2500 psi to 3500 psi concrete. Psi stands for pounds per square inch. Wood structure homes require a 600 psi load for new construction.  While concrete has a very high psi, it's tinsle strength is only increased with additives like rebar or remesh.

Question 4

What’s the difference between stamped concrete and regular concrete?

Accepted Answer

Stamped concrete has patterns and/or colors added to it to resemble other materials like brick, stone, or wood, while regular concrete does not. This makes stamped concrete a more decorative option. You have many options for stamped concrete. The color may be placed in the truck for a intregal (entire thickness of the concrete), or it may also be thrown (cast) on the top 1/8" which typically allows darker colors to be used.

Question 5

What makes concrete a better choice than pavers?

Accepted Answer

Concrete is more durable than pavers and can be customized with various patterns, stamps, and colors to match the decorative appeal of pavers without their downsides. We've even poured concrete bases for paver installations to prevent waviness over time.

Question 6

Is concrete environmentally friendly?

Accepted Answer

Concrete is sometimes viewed as an environmentally taxing material due to its manufacturing process which can be energy intensive. However, the concrete industry is committed to improving the sustainability of this essential material, making it a viable choice for eco-conscious customers. There are several aspects of concrete production and use that actually make it more environmentally friendly than it might initially seem.

Longevity: Concrete is incredibly durable. It can last for decades, even centuries, with little maintenance, unlike other building materials that might need to be replaced more frequently.

Recyclability: Concrete can be crushed and recycled at the end of its life, minimizing waste. The recycled material can be used for road base, backfill, and even new concrete.

Lower Carbon Footprint in Transportation: Concrete is a local material that is produced and used nearby which minimizes the environmental impact of transportation. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noted that almost all (94%) of ready-mix concrete production and use occurs within a single state.

Innovation in Production: The concrete industry is actively working towards more sustainable practices, such as using alternative fuels during production and incorporating industrial byproducts like fly ash and slag to reduce the amount of cement needed.

Question 7

What is concrete made out of?

Accepted Answer

Concrete is composed of three main ingredients: Portland cement, water, and aggregate. Portland cement acts as a binding agent when mixed with water, forming a paste that hardens around the aggregate, which can be sand, gravel, or crushed stone. The type and proportion of these ingredients can be adjusted to achieve different properties in the final concrete product, such as strength, durability, or resistance to certain environmental conditions. There are hundreds of differant types of concrete that the mixer delivers.

Question 8

Why does concrete crack?

Accepted Answer

There are many reasons for concrete cracking.  We make big efforts prior to pouring any concrete to ensure the base is consistent throughout the project.  Often, cracks form when thickness of the concrete varies. We normally bid all residential jobs with fiber mesh reinforcement, while giving the option for more reinforcement at the pre-construction meeting.  The freeze-thaw process can also cause cracks in exterior concrete. In exterior concrete, ACI suggests placing control joints every 14 feet minimum on 4" concrete. Our company policy is to place joints no more than 12 feet apart to encourage cracking in the control joints.

Question 9

Will my yard be damaged during the concrete work?

Accepted Answer

We take great care to protect your yard during the concrete work. We use tracked, motorized wheelbarrows and uniloaders to minimize damage. Additionally, we backfill our concrete projects to ensure proper drainage and longevity.

Question 10

Why should I choose concrete over asphalt for my driveway or parking lot?

Accepted Answer

While concrete may have a slightly higher upfront cost, we believe it looks better and is more resilient than asphalt. Please see our Concrete VS Asphalt page.

Question 11

Do you do landscaping?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we do not do landscaping. Depending on the type of landscape services you need, we likely have partners in the field that we can refer you to.

Question 12

Do you produce the concrete?

Accepted Answer

We do not produce the concrete. Our company focus is customer service and quality concrete work. We rely on area suppliers for redi-mixed concrete and gravel. We choose the best supplier depending on many factors including, location, service and price. Every concrete supplier we use is tested and held to the highest standards.

Question 13

Do you do concrete overlays?

Accepted Answer

A concrete overlay is a thin layer of concrete over your existing concrete. There are companies that primarily focus on this trade in the Indianapolis area. An overlay of concrete may only be successful if the base concrete is in good shape structurally. While we do quite a few overlays for our commercial partners, we rarely do these for residential clients. If there is a project that you have questions on whether or not your structure is a good candidate for an overlay, please reach out for a free consultation/ estimate.

Question 14

How long before you could actually do the work?

Accepted Answer

When Indianapolis Concrete does a free estimate, we will include our lead time. At the pre-construction meeting, an exact week will be given. After the meeting, we will get to work on any needed permits and will do the "Call Before You Dig". While rain and other poor weather may slow us down, we try to work weekends and to prep for concrete on rain days, when it makes sense. We also only schedule for concrete pouring 4 days a week. We have found that this schedule allows us to stay on schedule much more than typical concrete companies. On the other hand, if it does rain for two weeks straight, right before your project is to start, it would likely be delayed.

Question 15

What is the cost of a concrete project?

Accepted Answer

The cost of a concrete project varies from $2 to $30 per square foot, depending on the specifics of your job. Larger projects typically have a lower square foot price. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation estimate!

Question 16

How deep do you dig?

Accepted Answer

We dig 30" to 36" for footers and foundations. For typical flatwork, the range is from 4" to 8", however compensation has to be made depending on the grade. While it is very important to have a smooth top, we put in much effort to insure the base is also a consistant grade. Often a poorly prepared subgrade is the reason for concrete cracking.

Question 17

How thick is concrete typically poured, and does it vary based on the type of project?

Accepted Answer

The thickness of the concrete pour depends on the type of project. For most driveways and sidewalks, concrete is typically poured at a thickness of 4 or 6 inches. For patios and pool decks, a thickness of 4 inches is usually sufficient. However, for more substantial structures like walls or stairs, or areas with heavy load-bearing requirements, the concrete may need to be poured thicker. Our Project Managers consult with you to determine the appropriate thickness for your specific project.

Question 18

What about my gas, telephone and cable lines? Will you hit those?

Accepted Answer

We have an 811 utility location check done prior to every job. Other lines, such as A/C lines, sprinkler systems, pet fencing and any additional wiring or buried objects are the responsibility of the customer to mark.

Question 19

Do you use reinforcement in concrete projects?

Accepted Answer

We use various reinforcement methods like fiber mesh, wire mesh, and rebar, depending on your project's needs. In Indianapolis, projects are often bid without reinforcement to stay competitive, but we always offer the option to add more at the pre-construction meeting. Despite thorough ground preparation and reinforcement, concrete cracking can still occur.

Question 20

How much gravel do you use? What kind of gravel do you use?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the project, we could use as little as 1/2" or over a foot. Now, many roads are constructed without a gravel base. Some engineers believe that the gravel under concrete may attact water, making it more susceptible to heaving when frozen. The type of gravel also varies per project. Some gravels are used because they will not need compacting. Some types of gravel are used because of their ability to be compacted. Your project manager will explain this at the pre- construction meeting.

Question 21

What is your warranty policy?

Accepted Answer

We offer a 1-year workmanship warranty that covers your new concrete surface.  We will abide by the American Concrete Institute, National Assosiation of Home Builders, and the Builders Assosiation of Greater Indianapolis's guidelines and specifications.
Please see the attached sample for reference only. You will be given a warranty document specific to your project at our post-construction meeting.

USE OF SALT VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY.

Question 22

How do I remove snow and ice from my driveway? Can I use salt?

Accepted Answer

We recommend shoveling snow off the concrete as the best way to maintain the integrity of your project. Sand or bird seed may be used for traction. This is especially important on new concrete. There is no amount of salt that is safe and there is no chemical formulation that is safe. If you read the instructions, even for "safe salt" it will warn against using this product on concrete surfaces under two years old. Concrete gets stronger as it ages. As the years pass, more water is worked out of the concrete, increasing its strength. One grain of salt can cause the surface of the concrete to pop off. Salt is dissolved by water. When the salt water penetrates the concrete, the water evaporates, leaving a salt crystal where the cement paste is bonding the aggregates in the concrete.

SALT DAMAGES CONCRETE AND VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY! DO NOT USE SALT! EVER!

Question 23

How often does concrete need to be resealed?

Accepted Answer

Generally, concrete should be resealed every 3 or 4 years, or when you start to notice wear or color fading. Regular sealing helps to maintain the appearance of the concrete and protects it from damage. Sealing concrete is an easy DIY project but Indianapolis Concrete also offers professional resealing services.

Question 24

How do I clean concrete?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the type of concrete project, sweep or blow off the surface to remove loose debris and then wash it with water. For deeper cleaning, use a mild detergent like Dawn dish soap or a mild concrete cleaner with a stiff-bristle brush. We advise to minimize the use of pressure washers if possible. Many concrete cleaning chemicals have acid in them. Acid will affect the cement paste in the concrete. We use acid to clean our tools. Using a acid based chemical may prematurely age your concrete by wearing the cement paste, exposing sand and aggregate.

Oil stains: Use an oil-dry or cheap kitty litter and pour over the oil stain. Rub the oil-dry in with the ball of your foot. Rub until the stain turns white. You may need to add more oil-dry if it is saturated. Depending on the stain's age and depth, this process may be repeated until a faint outline is left. A dish soap may be used to help eliminate the remaining residue.

Question 25

Can all damaged concrete be repaired?

Accepted Answer

Not all concrete damage can be effectively repaired. We do not lift concrete or do concrete overlays. If a concrete repair is warranted, we have associates in the industry we will introduce to you if you would like. Schedule a free estimate to work with an expert to determine which strategy is right for you.

INDIANAPOLIS CONCRETE

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