5 Simple Techniques for Stamped Concrete
Stamped concrete offers many ways to mimic wood, tile, stone and other natural materials. Whether you want a pattern or just one color, there are several simple techniques that can be used to achieve your desired look for your project.
1. Pre-Concrete Steps
Before beginning the stamping process, a concrete surface must be prepared and curing. Jamestown Concrete This helps the concrete firm up and ensures it can hold an accurate imprint when stamped. Once this step has been completed, you are ready to start stamping!
2. Mix in Small Batches
When pouring concrete for a new slab, it’s best to mix it in small portions. Doing this ensures the mix is done properly and produces an even, high-quality final product.
3. Check for Plasticity
Before stamping the concrete, be sure to test its strength and firmness. Make sure the surface can support workers’ weight without cracking and retains an accurate imprint. If not, additional effort may need to be put in before stamping can begin.
4. Make Sure the Concrete Is Rolled Before Stamping
Once the concrete has reached the proper plasticity, it’s time for rolling with a textured roller ahead of your crew. Doing this can prevent an unworkable slab due to surface hardness that would otherwise prevent stamping.
5. Apply Release Agent
Once the concrete slab has reached the proper stage of plasticity, it’s time to apply release agent. This will prevent stamped tools from sticking to the surface and add an accent color once washed and sealed.
6. Tamping Sequence
Once the slab has been tamped, stampers will begin stamping their patterns into it. Here, many common mistakes can occur; one of the most prevalent being starting to stamp too soon instead of bottoming out against soft concrete. To ensure success, workers should begin stamping slowly and thoroughly after bottoming out.
Once the concrete has been set against a soft slab, there should be ample texture both in the middle and along the edges of the stamped “stone.” If not, there was likely too much mixing going on and your stamped concrete won’t have aged as well or resembled its pattern as desired.
Once stamping is complete, the slab should be power-washed and a release cleaner used to eliminate any residual dirt or materials. Once clean, sealing with a liquid membrane-forming curing compound and rolling the surface evenly will protect it against harsh weather conditions and fading.
