Our Process

Planning

Let's ensure we give you want you want:

• We'll measure your area you want to concrete.
• Discuss the finish you want your concrete to be (exposed agg, or sponge finish)
• You may want to add a colour to add another dimension.
• Once we have this information we will formulate a quote for you.
• Quotes expected, now let the fun begin.

Prepping

Before we even begin thinking about laying the concrete, we prepare our canvas. This involves:

• We'll remove any existing concrete by hand or machine.
• Excavate materials from the area to be concreted.
• Levels measured to prevent water pooling and flooding.
• Boxing the area, backfilling and compacting the base course and installing the required mesh.
• Strip Drains installed and commissioned to collect water.
• Once we've done this we'll book in your concrete pour.

Placing

We’ve done the prep work, so now it is time to pour: But still, it’s not that simple. During the placement process we:

• Check the weather conditions to ensure any rainy or windy conditions will not affect the final quality
• Masking nearby property to protect surfaces from any concrete splatter and spillover.
• Hand pouring - there is no factory-made concrete here, all Concrete Brothers pours are done on-site
• Flatten and smooth the poured concrete in processes called screeding and floating. These involve special tools and skills to ensure the concrete is compacted and levelled.
• What happens next is dependant on the surface finish you want. We will either get out on the concrete once it is set enough and give you your sponge texture finish or spray the surface with rugasol and water blast the surface for that exposed agg finish.

Cutting

Concrete doesn’t work when it is left in one big block, so we have to cut it into sections. This allows the material to perform better when the earth inevitably moves, reducing the chances of cracking and shifting. For this part of the process we need to:

• Wait the perfect amount of time until the concrete is set - which can depend on factors like the temperature and humidity
• Measure and make manual cuts at optimum intervals - this includes all internal corners
• Use specialist power and manual operated tools

Washing and sealing

Concrete needs to be sealed to make it last longer, preventing stains and damage from weather, wear-and-tear and those pesky oil stains - as well as making it easier to clean and maintain. Depending on the desired finish of your concrete, it will need to be washed and sealed in different ways. This part of the process involves:

• Waiting the right amount of time for the concrete to be set
• Washing the concrete with acid to ensure it is as clean as can be
• Applying multiple layers of sealant and ensuring it is completely dry before use

Maintenance

Just like a paint job, your concrete will need to be maintained to prevent any damage to its finish. This may include re-sealing, crack injections, and overlays.