Replies

1. 
   maverick | Sep 14, 2008 04:42pm | #1

   its hard to tell if we are looking at this through a microscope or a reasonable vantage point. stand up and take some pictures

2. 
   vintage1 | Sep 14, 2008 04:47pm | #2

   you might want to add a ruler or a pencil or even a quarter in the picture to give some context of size. 

   also you should resize the pic under 200kb or alot of people won't take the time to view.

   You cannot convey tone in an email.

1. 
   royals88hockey | Sep 14, 2008 05:18pm | #3

   Haven't figured out how to resize yet, sorry. But here is a picture with a tape next to the crack, they are all surface cracks, just wondering if they'll survive the winter.

1. 
   VaTom | Sep 14, 2008 05:24pm | #4

   Irfanview: http://www.irfanview.com/main_download_engl.htm

   Or read your camera manual to get a reasonable size jpg.  I'm among those who won't bother if you don't.PAHS works.  Bury it.

2. 
   Nuke | Sep 14, 2008 06:26pm | #7

   Here you go.

1. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 15, 2008 02:16am | #10

   royal....learn Irfan view..

   the minor cracks should not be a problem.... where are you located ?

   what does the cement finisher say ?Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   royals88hockey | Sep 15, 2008 03:14am | #11

   located in pa, didn't get to talk to the contractor as I just noticed cracks. They are pretty much all over the pad along all the "fake joints".

2. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 15, 2008 03:29am | #12

   my cement finisher came back and put a sealer on the slab  to keep the surface from  drying out and  assist in the curingMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

3. 
   royals88hockey | Sep 15, 2008 03:37am | #13

   Mine sealed it right away as well. Does your patio have the  surface cracks mine has?

4. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 15, 2008 03:48am | #14

   don't know......i'll have to go take a look

   click on this link if you want to see the work

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=92880.43Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

5. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Sep 15, 2008 06:10am | #19

   "my cement finisher came back and put a sealer on the slab  to keep the surface from  drying out"

   Curing compound, right?   Jeff

6. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 15, 2008 06:11am | #20

   yes........curing compoundMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

7. 
   spike999250 | Sep 15, 2008 04:37am | #15

   Reading PA. by chance

8. 
   royals88hockey | Sep 15, 2008 04:42am | #16

   Go Royals!

3. 
   brucet9 | Sep 15, 2008 08:25am | #22

   From the pic it is clear that many of the cracks are 1/16" or more wide and appear to be at least that deep. If the sealer has not filled them, then water will, and when it freezes it seems logical that you'll get spalling.BruceT

   Edited 9/15/2008 1:26 am by brucet9

3. 
   brownbagg | Sep 14, 2008 06:18pm | #5

   those crack are not a problem, mine has them too. what it is : the concrete is setting up and then they place a mat on it and start beating the stamp, stretching the concrete.so the concrete it self has to bend and this is where the stress is. It is only cosmetic. live with it or tear out and redo. If you redo it will be the same way. It is a charartic of stamp
1. 
   royals88hockey | Sep 14, 2008 06:24pm | #6

   thanks for the info brownbag, so you don't think there will be a problem with water getting in there and popping those little chunks out, that's good to know, thanks again.

2. 
   Ray | Sep 14, 2008 07:58pm | #8

   Thanks from me too. I just noticed the little cracks in my mother-in-law's porch and wondered if I needed another coat of sealer to protect the stamped concrete.

3. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 22, 2008 11:53pm | #28

   brownie.....   i posted a couple pics for you  in ## Adverse Conditions ###Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

4. 
   woodway | Sep 15, 2008 02:05am | #9

   Immediately after completing the work, did they put wet tarps or rugs on the concrete and let it sit for a week or two, while keeping the rugs wet, or did they just mist it once or twice and let it air dry?

5. 
   royals88hockey | Sep 15, 2008 05:51am | #17

   Resized pic of cracks.

   
1. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 15, 2008 06:09am | #18

   royal....good work..... is that from Irfan ?

    

   couple tips.... choose  .jpg

   under image...choose resize

   use  640 x 480Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 17, 2008 01:45am | #23

   royal.... stopped by the job today.... not one single crack..... not even a hairline cracki was impressed..
   see if i can find some picsMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 17, 2008 02:36am | #24

   here's the pics I took today....this slab is in Rhode Island....poured in June '07

   View Image

   stamped & dyed (stain )

   View Image

   couldn't find any cracks

   View Image

    

   Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

   Edited 9/16/2008 7:36 pm ET by MikeSmith

   Edited 9/16/2008 7:37 pm ET by MikeSmith

   Edited 9/16/2008 7:37 pm ET by MikeSmith

   Edited 9/16/2008 7:38 pm ET by MikeSmith

   
1. 
   royals88hockey | Sep 17, 2008 05:02am | #26

   Thanks for the pics Mike, I can see, your slab has no cracks. I talked to the finisher and he said he didn't think it would be a problem, all the jobs look that way and that the 2 coats of sealer would seal the cracks, I'm thinking - what else could he say? Personally, I think they waited too long to start the stamping process and the concrete was too dry. Thanks for everyones input thus far, you guys are great! 

2. 
   dandiego | Oct 05, 2008 07:08am | #29

   If all his jobs crack like yours did , he is not a good finisher. You are correct that the concrete got too hard before they finished stamping. Make sure the Sealer completely fills the cracks or you will have problems with freezing/spalling.

3. 
   DavidxDoud | Sep 17, 2008 05:55am | #27

   that's one nice looking slab of concrete - hat's off to the finisher - "there's enough for everyone"

2. 
   DavidxDoud | Sep 15, 2008 06:17am | #21

   I am not a concrete expert, but I have observed many different slabs over 45 years and I would be concerned about freeze/thaw - I got to believe that those pieces defined by the cracks will spall/flake off when water freezes in the cracks - I'd be looking to seal them some way - bb is an expert, but is located on the gulf of mexico..."there's enough for everyone"

1. 
   Jay20 | Sep 17, 2008 04:35am | #25

   I agree with David. These cracks are from the stamping process and the pour surface was either  to dry or not enough cement in the mix. If the stamping process goes to slowly or a hot or windy day the surface can dry out to fast. Any idea what  mix was used. I think you may have problems down the road if subject to some freeze thaw conditions. I would call the finisher and ask him what he thinks about the problem. At the very least put him on notice in writing that you have concerns about the cracks and document in your letter ware you see them in the slab.