Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Though we do everything possible to treat cracks and 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.

Cracks are ground out with a cup grinder to produce a “V”. A two-part epoxy with a chopped fiberglass filament is then introduced into the crack and will re-bond the crack.

All existing control joints should remain on the surface to allow for expansion and contraction of the original concrete. They are not coated with the CTI system and are masked off. We can, however, work to ensure these joints match the rest of the look of the surfaces.

CTI’s main product line called the “Hallmark System”, is a color integrated, modified acrylic cement product made of Portland cement, silica sand and a modified acrylic resin for its bonding agent.

CTI offers a 10-year limited material warranty on its Hallmark System against, dramatic fading, delamination, and general product failure.

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.