Frequently Asked Questions & General Information About Concrete Work in Hawaii:
What is a good time of year to have concrete work done?
Concrete can be installed any time the temperature is 32 degrees and rising, however the best time to install your concrete project is spring, summer, or early fall. If your concrete is exposed to deicing salts, such as a driveway, the earlier in the year the better as it provides more cure and strength gain for the concrete prior to exposure.
How do I schedule an appointment for an estimator to come to my house to do a free estimate?
Simply give us a call at our office and one of secretaries will be happy to schedule an appointment.
Is concrete environmentally friendly?
Over the last ten years concrete has become much more environmentally friendly. With the push for LEED projects across the US and overall concern for the environment, concrete producers are now substituting byproducts from other industries into their concrete mixtures in place of cement to reduce concrete’s carbon footprint. These mixes are used on a daily basis by local concrete producers throughout the area. Although expensive and typically for small applications only, there are specialty mixes available in which the cement is 90-100% substituted by byproducts from other industries, such as fly ash from the coal industry.
Can I use deicer on my concrete?
Salt or any other type of deicer is not recommended to be used on any concrete and under no circumstances should salt be applied to concrete that is less than a year old. If deicer or salt is to be used, use it sparingly and wait at least a year before applying to new concrete. Please understand that by using salt on the concrete, regardless of age, you run the risk of surface deterioration. We recommend using small cinders or kitty litter to help with traction in the winter.
What are the most common hazards to concrete?
The biggest hazards to concrete, once in place, are deicers and salts.
How long must I wait before I can walk or drive on my new concrete?
Under typical curing conditions you can walk on your new concrete in 24 – 48 hours and drive on it within 4-7 days.
How can I protect and maintain my concrete?
For regular broom finish concrete simply clean it as necessary with a pressure washer. Keep the tip of the pressure washer at least ten inches from the concrete surface as not to risk any damage from the pressure.
Will my concrete appear like the color shown in the color samples?
The color sample pamphlets are meant to provide the customer with a good idea of what color the concrete will be but should never be expected to be an exact match. The color of the concrete will always be a shade or two lighter or darker. The best way to assure color consistency is to have an actual poured sample for your project and even at this rate the actual product and the sample may slightly differ. Concrete is sensitive to the environment and while we can assure the color will be a close match we cannot promise a perfect match.
What types of residential concrete work does Universal Matrix, LLC do?
With a full line of excavation equipment Universal matrix, LLC can easily tackle grading and excavation as well as footer installation. Our concrete services include driveways, patios, sidewalks, porches, pool decks, garage and pole building floors, cast in place walls, and stamped concrete. Other specialties are retaining and garden walls, project design services, and pervious concrete.
Is a poured concrete foundation better than block foundation?
A poured concrete foundation wall will provide a much stronger wall when compared to a masonry block wall. Additionally, it is being found that concrete foundation walls are much quicker to construct and very competitive when priced against masonry.
Which is more beneficial using vertical concrete overlays or using real stone masonry?
Real stone is extremely hard to replicate so if the option is to use real stone or an overlay most will pick the real stone provided that it is cost efficient. Vertical concrete overlays have a special place in the market in that they are typically used where real stone cannot be used or where it is not cost effective. Vertical concrete overlays are often used to finish a basement off and provide a faux finish to walls without having to get the mortar mixer out, cut stone, and apply. They are a great option for creating unique environments in the home or commercially where real stone is not an option.
Is there a variety of choices of rocks to choose from when building retaining walls?
Retaining walls are made of either concrete, known as cast in place, or concrete block, known as modular block concrete walls. Residential wise, nine chances out of ten, modular block retaining walls are constructed. Universal matrix, LLC offers many different product lines when it comes to these modular block retaining walls so it typically isn’t difficult to find a block style and color to satisfy the client. These walls are beautiful when completed and blend well with their environment. Universal Matrix, LLC also specializes in garden walls, which are the same as a retaining wall but they do not have the structural designs to hold earth. They are typically used as free standing walls or walls with only one to two feet of back-fill behind them.
What is the life span of pervious concrete?
The life span of pervious concrete is greatly dependent on the quality of the contractor installing it. If pervious is installed incorrectly, it could start to fail within a month or two. However, when installed correctly, it will last upwards to twenty years. It is a unique material that will hold up well as long as the contractor is educated and versed in installing the material. Give us a call to discuss this in depth as Universal Matrix, LLC has the experienced masons available.
What is a good time of year to have concrete work done?
Concrete can be installed any time the temperature is 32 degrees and rising, however the best time to install your concrete project is spring, summer, or early fall. If your concrete is exposed to deicing salts, such as a driveway, the earlier in the year the better as it provides more cure and strength gain for the concrete prior to exposure.
How do I schedule an appointment for an estimator to come to my house to do a free estimate?
Simply give us a call at our office and one of secretaries will be happy to schedule an appointment.
Is concrete environmentally friendly?
Over the last ten years concrete has become much more environmentally friendly. With the push for LEED projects across the US and overall concern for the environment, concrete producers are now substituting byproducts from other industries into their concrete mixtures in place of cement to reduce concrete’s carbon footprint. These mixes are used on a daily basis by local concrete producers throughout the area. Although expensive and typically for small applications only, there are specialty mixes available in which the cement is 90-100% substituted by byproducts from other industries, such as fly ash from the coal industry.
Can I use deicer on my concrete?
Salt or any other type of deicer is not recommended to be used on any concrete and under no circumstances should salt be applied to concrete that is less than a year old. If deicer or salt is to be used, use it sparingly and wait at least a year before applying to new concrete. Please understand that by using salt on the concrete, regardless of age, you run the risk of surface deterioration. We recommend using small cinders or kitty litter to help with traction in the winter.
What are the most common hazards to concrete?
The biggest hazards to concrete, once in place, are deicers and salts.
How long must I wait before I can walk or drive on my new concrete?
Under typical curing conditions you can walk on your new concrete in 24 – 48 hours and drive on it within 4-7 days.
How can I protect and maintain my concrete?
For regular broom finish concrete simply clean it as necessary with a pressure washer. Keep the tip of the pressure washer at least ten inches from the concrete surface as not to risk any damage from the pressure.
Will my concrete appear like the color shown in the color samples?
The color sample pamphlets are meant to provide the customer with a good idea of what color the concrete will be but should never be expected to be an exact match. The color of the concrete will always be a shade or two lighter or darker. The best way to assure color consistency is to have an actual poured sample for your project and even at this rate the actual product and the sample may slightly differ. Concrete is sensitive to the environment and while we can assure the color will be a close match we cannot promise a perfect match.
What types of residential concrete work does Universal Matrix, LLC do?
With a full line of excavation equipment Universal matrix, LLC can easily tackle grading and excavation as well as footer installation. Our concrete services include driveways, patios, sidewalks, porches, pool decks, garage and pole building floors, cast in place walls, and stamped concrete. Other specialties are retaining and garden walls, project design services, and pervious concrete.
Is a poured concrete foundation better than block foundation?
A poured concrete foundation wall will provide a much stronger wall when compared to a masonry block wall. Additionally, it is being found that concrete foundation walls are much quicker to construct and very competitive when priced against masonry.
Which is more beneficial using vertical concrete overlays or using real stone masonry?
Real stone is extremely hard to replicate so if the option is to use real stone or an overlay most will pick the real stone provided that it is cost efficient. Vertical concrete overlays have a special place in the market in that they are typically used where real stone cannot be used or where it is not cost effective. Vertical concrete overlays are often used to finish a basement off and provide a faux finish to walls without having to get the mortar mixer out, cut stone, and apply. They are a great option for creating unique environments in the home or commercially where real stone is not an option.
Is there a variety of choices of rocks to choose from when building retaining walls?
Retaining walls are made of either concrete, known as cast in place, or concrete block, known as modular block concrete walls. Residential wise, nine chances out of ten, modular block retaining walls are constructed. Universal matrix, LLC offers many different product lines when it comes to these modular block retaining walls so it typically isn’t difficult to find a block style and color to satisfy the client. These walls are beautiful when completed and blend well with their environment. Universal Matrix, LLC also specializes in garden walls, which are the same as a retaining wall but they do not have the structural designs to hold earth. They are typically used as free standing walls or walls with only one to two feet of back-fill behind them.
What is the life span of pervious concrete?
The life span of pervious concrete is greatly dependent on the quality of the contractor installing it. If pervious is installed incorrectly, it could start to fail within a month or two. However, when installed correctly, it will last upwards to twenty years. It is a unique material that will hold up well as long as the contractor is educated and versed in installing the material. Give us a call to discuss this in depth as Universal Matrix, LLC has the experienced masons available.
