Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at Mulderdc.mn@outlook.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
A: CTI's systems are harder than concrete. Most concrete has a compressive strength of 2000-2500 psi rating. CTI's system has a 7000 psi rating.
A: Usually, normal washing with a hose is all that is needed. For stubborn stains, a brush with laundry detergent is all that is needed.
A: The price depends on a number of factors, such as the condition of the original concrete, the patterns chosen, the amount of cracks to repair, etc.
FAQS
Commonly Asked Questions
- What is MDC's preferred product?
Mulder Decorative Concrete exclusively uses the main product line from CTI called the "Hallmark System". This system is a color integrated, modified acrylic cement product made of Portland cement, silica sand and a modified acrylic resin for its bonding agent.
- Is there a Warranty?
Yes, each product has a different warranty. The Hallmark system has a 10 year warranty. The F1 has a 3 year warranty. Acrylistain has a 1 year warranty. The Stone Classic has a 3 year warranty. The Reflective Floor has a 1 year warranty.
- Who manufactures the product?
Concrete Technology Inc. manufactures a full line of concrete beautification and restoration products for both residential and commercial use. CTI has different products that can be used over concrete floors, existing countertops, and even walls. In the commercial setting, Concrete Technology manufactures a line of tough, durable epoxy and urethane floor coatings that can protect concrete even in the harshest of environments.
- Why should I repair my concrete rather than replace it?
If you replace your existing concrete you will be paying the cost of rip-out, removal, forming and pouring. This takes larger equipment than the CTI Concrete System, which sometimes causes damage to the landscaping. When completed you will have new concrete that will stain, absorb oil, and be subjected to the dangers of salts, and has a strength of 3,000 to 4,000 PSI. Repairing concrete with the CTI Concrete System will be stronger than most concrete at 7,000 PSI, resists stains, resists oil spills and prevent sale damage. Additionally, it will add value to your home or property by making an attractive presentation of your concrete surfaces.
- Will my concrete still heave in the winter?
We can not eliminate the heaving of concrete. However, once existing concrete is resurfaced with the CTI Concrete System, the surface will be denser and less porous. Less water will be retained by the concrete and therefore, lessen the effects of freeze/thaw cycles.
- Will cold weather affect the CTI system?
The product was tested by subjecting it to a 60 day freeze thaw cycle. This means that it was frozen and thawed 60 consecutive times with no adverse affect. It is stronger and denser than standard concrete and will hold up to cold weather much longer than standard concrete.
- How does the CTI Concrete system provide protection from stains, oil spills, salt damage and discoloration?
Once the skim coat is troweled on and colored decorative coat is sprayed the surface is sealed with a protective sealer. These sealers are nonporous and UV protective.
- How thick is the product?
We generally apply our systems on old concrete between 3/32" to 1/8". CTI's systems are thin layered cements which depend on adhesion through the use of modified acrylics. - How does the product bond with existing concrete? We acid etch and power wash the existing concrete to clean off dirt, remove loose aggregate and open pores. Next, a hand troweled skim coat of polymer and Portland cement is applied to the surface as thinly as possible. This allows the maximum absorption of the polymer into the existing concrete rather than building up the existing surface. When the polymer dries, it becomes a part of the existing concrete. Because polymer is absorbed and dries as a part of the old surface, the polymer strengthens and makes dense the existing concrete, as the new application and old surface becomes an integrated piece.
- What does it look like?
CTI's systems achieve a look, texture and color of any type stone or look you require. A base coat is applied that fixes any imperfections in the original concrete. A design is then laid over it and a hopper gun shoots on a textured layer over that. A final clear coat is put over the system that is nonporous and protects it as well as makes it very easy to maintain. Mold, mildew, motor oil, etc. can be sprayed off with a regular garden hose. Common detergents can be used to remove tough or repetitive latencies
- What colors does it come in?
We have a variety of standard colors to choose from. However, we can custom produce any color you wish for a minimal extra charge.
- How long do jobs typically take to complete?
An average job will take 1 to 2 days. Larger, more complex jobs may take longer. Clean foot traffic is usually allowed within the same day.
- For pool decks, does the pool need to be drained?
No, the pool should be full. If the pool were empty, the CTI system overspray would stain the plaster. Full, any small amount of overspray can be dealt with by allowing the overspray to settle to the bottom, shutting off the filter, then pumping the material to waste and bypassing all filters is recommended.
- Will pool water, chlorine, muriatic acid, or bleach stain the CTI system/product?
No, the sealer we apply to our system will not be affected by most chemicals.
- Will CTI's product fade?
No, not dramatically, the CTI product has approximately a 2% fade factor over seven years, which is undetectable by the human eye; our warranty covers this.
- How do you treat cracks in the concrete prior to the CTI application?
Cracks are ground out with a cup grinder to produce a "V". A two-part epoxy with a chopped figerglass filament is then introduced into the crack and will re-bond the crack.
- Will cracks reoccur?
Though we do everything possible to treat cracks and do eliminate 90% of them, it is possible they may reoccur. If they do, it is usually in the form of a hairline, which is not objectionable as it is largely hidden in the texture. However, if a crack becomes too objectionable, it is easy to repair. Proper placement of tension cuts greatly reduces the chance of the crack returning. Check cracking is a natural phenomenon which occurs in rock, dried-out mud flats, paint, and concrete and in ceramic coatings. Cracks in the concrete may be structural or surface cracks. Surface cracks are generally less than a few millimeters wide and deep. These are often called hairline or check cracks and may consist of single, thin cracks, or cracks in a craze/map-like pattern. A small number of surface or shrinkage cracks is common and does not usually cause any problems. Surface cracks can be caused by freezing and thawing, poor construction practices, and alkali-aggregate reactivity. Alkali-aggregate reactivity occurs when the aggregate reacts with the cement causing crazing or check cracks. Structural cracks in the concrete are usually larger than .1/8 inch in width. They extend deeper into the concrete and may extend all the way through a wall, slab, or other structural member. Structural cracks are often caused by settlement of the fill material supporting the concrete structure, or by loss of the fill support due to erosion. The structural cracks may worsen in severity due to the forces of weathering.
- What if something happens to my deck after the warranty?
The material is repairable to its original state. We service all decks past warranty.
- Can you apply the CTI product over painted concrete?
Yes, though it generally will need to be scarified or sandblasted to remove the paint enough to where our product will bond with the original concrete.
- Can the CTI product be applied to steps?
Yes, CTI's systems can be applied to concrete steps including risers and treads.
- Can the CTI product be applied to walls?
Yes, however, multiple spray coats are needed to reduce rebound, or waste.
- Do you apply the material to cantilever faces and coping stones?
We do apply CTI's systems to cantilever faces and coping stones. Though application over coping stones is a matter of personal preference, it is often advisable to coat the stones unless they are exceptionally new. If not coated, they tend to look old and dirty after the CTI installation is complete. In addition, the older copings which have deep lips can be filled in so the coping stones are level with the deck giving a modern cantilevered look.
- How long has the CTI product been in use?
Acrylic decking has been in use since the early 70's. Our manufacturing facility has been producing coatings since 1968.
- How does the price of CTIs system compare with removing and replacing old concrete?
The cost of the CTI system is normally 20%-25% less than the cost of removing cement and pouring new and is much better looking and much easier to maintain than the original cement.
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