![]() ![]() The types of surface issues and blemishes in the email above from a homeowner are 100 percent avoidable and no one’s fault other than that of the installer. Poor installations affect the entire industry While I am not naïve in thinking stamped concrete can be completely problem-free, I can and do expect that those promoting themselves as professional stamped concrete installers (anyone installing stamped concrete for hire) has the training and expertise to avoid what I consider to be unacceptable mistakes. Surprisingly, after so many years, I still receive too many of these types of complaints. ![]() The issues described above are unfortunately only a small part of a much bigger issue. Short of these repair methods, doing nothing or removal and replacement are the other options. I always recommend sampling and testing any repair methods before attempting the entire project. However, using the microtopping option to spot-treat areas can prove challenging when trying to make the topping blend in with the surrounding areas or assure proper adhesion for a long-term repair. In extreme cases a thin microtopping layer can be applied and textured to cover areas where the original texture is missing or poor finishing has left surface blemishes. Another method I have seen successfully used in these situations is to grout or caulk the saw cuts a contrasting color to further draw your eyes away from the imperfections. In addition, color highlighting and antiquing methods (stains, tints, color washes and tinted sealers) will provide additional camouflage to hide some of the poorly finished areas. Lastly, the installer did not provide any control joints, leaving the homeowner to research the issue online and hire a third party to come in and make saw cuts to help break up the patio, draw attention away from the checkerboard pattern and provide the control joints that were missing. These two factors created a checkerboard pattern, with many edges lacking texture. They also did not overlap their edges to feather out the seams created by the tools. In this scenario, the installers attempted to stamp 600 square feet of concrete with small 4-by-4 texture skins. In many cases there are no viable repair options. Surface defects and poor workmanship issues on stamped and textured concrete are difficult to repair. “Concrete construction in itself is not inherently dangerous, but to an even greater degree than the other trades, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect.” (Doug Groninger Sr.)Ĭoncrete is unforgiving. This variation of a famous quote used in aviation since the early 1930s has stuck with me since I first saw it some 13 years ago. This question reminds me of a quote painted in large letters on the lobby wall at the headquarters of Groninger Concrete in Colorado Springs. Also, do you think that the saw cut lines I’ll be adding will attract the eye to these spots if I cut right on them? We also are concerned about many areas where the surface has no texture and we can see trowel marks. It has been finished for a few days and our concern is that we can see many of the edges of the stamping tools and the concrete surface looks like a checkerboard. The concrete was colored and our contractor used what he called a “seamless stone texture mat” to stamp the concrete. We recently had a 600-square-foot concrete patio installed at our home. We are looking to fix flaws in poorly stamped concrete. ![]()
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