Exposed Aggregate concrete help

[JurassicJet]

I think I'd bring out some patio chairs and enjoy it. Worry about something that matters.

Understood that the result doesn't look like what you wanted it to look. I've noticed the same sort of problems with photos of myself taken in the last few years.... they just don't look like I'd expected.

But on the other hand that concrete looks strong and even looks like it might have some decent drainage. Frankly I've seen far worse concrete jobs. A few months of foot traffic will wear the exposed cement faster than the stones and then you will have closer to what you expected. I'd say give it some time.

rScotty

That is a complete bullcrap post. That kind of attitude just blows my mind. It DOES matter to the OP. Maybe you like to have your stuff look like crap, but a lot of people don't. The guy paid for a job and did not get what he paid for.

 

[JurassicJet]

@2515R Dude . If you read @teesquare's post and @Yanmar VIO's posts, they are spot on. Ignore the rest of the idiotic posts from guys that have no idea what they are talking about nor have the same level of expectations that you do. The second house that I built had a large exposed aggregate front porch area which included steps down to an even larger sitting area. The exposed aggregate looked great and was great to walk on (not slippery when wet). My contractor did not "seed" the concrete after it was poured, but rather, it was poured with the correct mixture. Unfortunately, your contractor did an absolute crap job not only from the aggregate perspective but just being able to pour a flat piece of concrete.

If you have pictures that you texted him of what your job was to look like and any other trail of communication, I would take him to small claims court at the very least. If it were me, I would be going after him like a hound after a rabbit.

 

[kinglake]

@2515R Dude . If you read @teesquare's post and @Yanmar VIO's posts, they are spot on. Ignore the rest of the idiotic posts from guys that have no idea what they are talking about nor have the same level of expectations that you do. The second house that I built had a large exposed aggregate front porch area which included steps down to an even larger sitting area. The exposed aggregate looked great and was great to walk on (not slippery when wet). My contractor did not "seed" the concrete after it was poured, but rather, it was poured with the correct mixture. Unfortunately, your contractor did an absolute crap job not only from the aggregate perspective but just being able to pour a flat piece of concrete.

If you have pictures that you texted him of what your job was to look like and any other trail of communication, I would take him to small claims court at the very least. If it were me, I would be going after him like a hound after a rabbit.

New guy coming on harsh as a "know it all". Good luck.

 

[2515R Dude]

two final notes.
1. He gave me all wrong info, his name, his adres, his company name, the do not exists, so no way to find him, besides now i have more important thing to take care of. God will close account with him, such people never get rich not happy. He is going to run all his life.

2. I'm going to wash it two times with acid, then pressure washer, then acid stain light tan color, then seal it with wet look. I tried it on a small area, it worked. Not 100% but reasonable.

That is it, thanks for all advice and good words.

 

[JurassicJet]

New guy coming on harsh as a "know it all". Good luck.

It's called experience. Sorry your feelings got hurt.

 

[technomill]

I hope and pray it comes out to your liking 2515R Dude, Take the high road your better for it and you're right the good lord will take care of them.
I hate hearing stories like this from scrupulous contractors with no sense of pride in their work. unfortunately, they are out there but so are the good ones.

-God bless

 

[sandman2234]

I did quality control work for a prestressed concrete company and we did a sewer treatment plant in Pensacola that is almost all exposed aggregate panels. Most of the solutions listed in these 6 pages won't work, at least not to make it look correct.
Good luck with your experiments, and go kiss your bride and tell her it will be all right!
David from jax

 

[Streetcar]

I did quality control work for a prestressed concrete company and we did a sewer treatment plant in Pensacola that is almost all exposed aggregate panels. Most of the solutions listed in these 6 pages won't work, at least not to make it look correct.
Good luck with your experiments, and go kiss your bride and tell her it will be all right!
David from jax

The capability of a precast plant far exceeds what homeowner can do. That is why the potential solutions are different

 

[Flogger]

Looking for an advise and TBN collective wisdom.
I hired a concrete contractor to make me a patio with exposed aggregate concrete.
The guy came, poured the concrete, sprayed the retarder, waited about 2 hours, washed and left.
When he was leaving i asked them why there are so many spots covered with the concrete, like 70-80%.
His answer was, it is send and concrete dust which tomorrow you can wash with regular hose. It is not going to harden.
Next morning i could not wash it not with regular hose, nor with jet spray.
I contacted him, he told me he would come later this day. Needless to say he never came, does not answer the phone, texts and such.

The question is: How do i remove a thin layer of the concrete to expose the aggregate?
I tried muriatic acid and KLEEN KREETE - no dice.
Are there any other options?

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You need a terrazzo grinder. They should be available at a rental store. I have done small areas with a cup grinder an area that large needs the terrazzo grinder..

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I am retired - but owned a company that fixed concrete problems. I currently consult with architects and owners in commercial construction projects.

First - Don't panic and do something to ruin what you have. It can be made to look much more like what you desire. And - Yes, you CAN make it worse. Especially by following many of the in-experienced ( and some hare-brained ) advisements I see in this thread.

Second - contact a company called ProSoCo. They are on line. They are the biggest and best at finding ways to fix and maintain exposed aggregate as well as many other forms of decorative concrete. They will have a rep that work with commercial construction material supplies that serve your area. Find out the names of the companies that sell their products.

Third - Once you know more about how the ProSoCo cleaners, acid based detergents, and sealers work - decide if it is something you want to perform or have a contractor that specializes in this type of "cleaning up behind a slob" work do this. After cleaning - this surface will need a penetrative water repellent applied to prevent freeze/thaw spalling ( rocks popping out )

And - lastly...folks who have no actual experience in these things seem to feel empowered to get on a computer and tell someone else how to fix" a problem. They ought to be head slapped for that. And, you really should do your research for fixing this with an attorney letter to the concrete contractor - and Google. Not a discussion forum about tractors.

I will private message you my phone number and if I can be of further help - please give me a call. I feel your pain, and in honor of your wife and her diagnosis - and will do my best to answer any questions and direct you to people/places for getting this solved.

T

I've poured slabs the way he wanted in his picture. You cannot let your screed board rest in one place at any time. It will leave a dip in the rocks when it is washed off. I also had a few bags of washed rocks handy and hand broadcast them over entire project while concrete was wet, just after screeding off. Then I turned screed board flat ways and patted rocks down flush with top of slab. Trick was I had an extendable paint roller handle with a soft push broom on it. Spray with a hose nozzle with a shower setting, sweep lightly as I spray, turned out nice.