Picture of cracks in stamped concrete
royals88hockey
| Posted in General Discussion on
Hello all,
We just had a stamped pad installed and love the overall look but was wondering if these hairline cracks (in photo) are going to be a problem down the line? You can’t really notice them until you get down close to the pad. They are sporatic through out the pad. It appears to me they developed as a result of the stamping process. The patio was done last week and has already had 2 coats of sealer applied. I’m wondering if I can expect problems with snow melting during the day then gettng in these cracks and refreezing at night then popping the concrete. Is there anyting the contractor can do at this point to fix it if there is any problems? I have’nt yet spoke to the contractor as the cracks were just noticed, thanks.
Replies
its hard to tell if we are looking at this through a microscope or a reasonable vantage point. stand up and take some pictures
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.
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.
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.
Here you go.
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
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".
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
Mine sealed it right away as well. Does your patio have the surface cracks mine has?
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
"my cement finisher came back and put a sealer on the slab to keep the surface from drying out"
Curing compound, right? Jeff
yes........curing compoundMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Reading PA. by chance
Go Royals!
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
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
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.
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.
brownie..... i posted a couple pics for you in ## Adverse Conditions ###Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
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?
Resized pic of cracks.
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
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
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
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!
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.
that's one nice looking slab of concrete - hat's off to the finisher - "there's enough for everyone"
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"
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.