Mission Statement:
 
Provide a service to individuals or a community that will enhance and improve the intellect of the general public to proper concrete procedures.
 
Our Motto:
 
If one doesn’t know, One will not make a good Concrete Investment.
 

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Concrete Terminology 101
 

Green Concrete

Freshly poured concrete before it has cured.

Cured/Curing

Reference to the concrete drying or has dried.

Curing Compound

A waxed based compound that is sprayed on top of concrete.

PSI

Stands for Pounds Per Square Inch.

Sack

Refers to how many bags of concrete are used per yard.

Flat Work

Refers to driveways, sidewalks, patios & spa/hot tub pads

Foundation Work

Refers to a structural project such as; houses, garages or sheds.

Weep Screed

Weep screed is the metal track is called at the bottom of your stucco.

 
Introduction to Basic Concrete Codes 201:
 

Thickness

Minimum required by the Nevada Contractors Board is 3 1/2 inches.

PSI

2500 for all flat work. (Sometimes called a 5 sack mix)

Cracks

Nevada Contractors Board requires contractors to replace any concrete that cracks the width of a nickel (1/8”) or wider within four years for a patio slab and a ¼” for sidewalks.

Drainage/Slope

All concrete must be sloped away from any living or building structures.

Installation

The Nevada Contractors Board has set a 2” (inch) spacing code in uncovered area’s from the bottom of the weep screed to the top of the concrete.

For more information see the following:

Nevada State Contractors Board, www.nvcontractorsboard.com

 
Independent Study 301
 

Weeps Screed

That is what the metal track is called at the bottom of your stucco. The purpose of the weeps screed is to allow water to drain from your stucco when it gets wet. Stucco can actually absorb water and gravity then pulls it down to the weeps screed. If concrete covers up the weeps screed mold or mildew to your home could be the result. The Nevada Contractors Board has set a 2” (inch) spacing code to prevent such a situation.

Color Variations

A color variation may appear when colored concrete is poured at separate times. Concrete companies & their supplier will not be responsible due to different materials or dye batch that might be used which would cause a slight variation in the color mix.

Curing

The curing of concrete is very unpredictable; spotting, splotching & discoloration can occur for long periods of time It usually takes 20 to 28 days for concrete to cure out to full strength pending time of season. Most of the time after 24 hours you can walk on it or in 7 days the concrete has reached substantial strength to be able to drive a vehicle on it. On rare occasions the curing compound used may permanently spot the concrete. (If new concrete is covered by shade for an extended period of time curing time may need to be increased)

Spider Cracks

Tiny cracks that are generally only on the service of slab. They are generally caused by the service drying to quickly or rapid evaporation of the water in the concrete.

Drainage

All patios are required to have a slope draining away from the house at no more than a 2% sloping grade. When a patio has a cover over it is typical to only pour a 1% sloping grade.

Thickness

As mentioned before Code is 3 ½ inches for concrete flat work. Most people are led to believe they are getting a 4” slab because they see a 2 x 4 being used as a form. An actual 2 x 4 is only 3 ½ inches wide. Unless, your contractor guarantee’s he will pour a 4” slab you have nothing to worry about it not being in compliance with Nevada’s codes.

Cracks

By placing an immovable object (the concrete) on top of a moveable surface (mother earth) cracks will always occur somewhere in the concrete. That means concrete will naturally crack, that is why control joints are placed in the concrete. It gives the concrete a place to crack and not be so readily noticeable from the service.

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