FAQ

What is Concrete Technology Inc.'s Product?

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. The Hallmark System is used for applications such as driveways, patios, porches, pool decks and walkways.

What warranty is involved?

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

Is CTi's Hallmark product the only product it offers?

Concrete Technology Inc. offers a full line of concrete beautification and restoration products for both residential and commercial use. CTi offers an Acylistain concrete staining system, and the Durafleck 5000 and Reflective Flooring epoxy systems that are used for garages and interior applications.

How thick is it?

CTi generally applies the CTi system on old concrete between 3/32" to 1/8" thick. CTi's systems are thin layered cements which depend on adhesion through the use of modified acrylics.

What does it look like?

CTi products achieve a look, texture and color of any type stone or design 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 stains.

What colors does it come in?

We have over 30 standard colors to choose from. And we can custom produce any color you wish for a minimal extra charge.

How long does it take to do a job?

On average, a CTi job will take 2 to 5 days to complete. Larger, more complex jobs may take longer. Clean foot traffic is usually allowed the next day after sealing.

Does the pool have to be drained?

No, the pool should be full. If the pool were empty, the CTi system overspray could stain the plaster. 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.

How do you treat control or expansion joints?

CTi can work to ensure all existing control or expansion joints match the rest of the look of the surfaces. All joints should remain in the surface to allow for expansion and contraction of the original concrete. They are not coated with the CTi system and are masked off.

Is it cool to walk on?

Here is how the Concrete Technologies system compares to other coatings as far as heat retention:

Up to 40 degrees cooler than concrete.
30%-40% cooler than epoxy stone
50% cooler than vinyl or urethane
40%-50% cooler than wood decks
Up to 40% cooler than carpet
50%-60% cooler than terrazzo
40%-50% cooler than tile
20%-30% cooler than brick

Colors of the product and texture chosen will effect the overall temperature of the surface.

Is it Kool Deck?

No. Kool Deck® is a product that must be applied to freshly poured concrete within 5 hours in order to bond. CTi's systems can be applied to new or old concrete. In addition, CTi's systems are a three-coat system and are sealed with a finish coat, which makes it impervious to staining. Whereas Kool Deck® is a very porous, non-flexible product, that has a minimal life expectancy.

Will pool water, chlorine, muriatic acid, or bleach stain the CTi system?

No, the sealer we apply to our system is not affected by most chemicals.

Will the color in CTi's systems 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.

Can you correct drainage and low spots?

At CTi, we can generally improve drainage; however, the degree of success is contingent upon the pitch of the concrete adjacent to the low spot. The low spot will have to be looked at personally by CTi to let you know what you can expect.

How do you treat cracks in the concrete?

At CTi, cracks are addressed using our revolutionary "Smart Prep" System. The Smart Prep system offers a flexible bridge over the cracked area that allows the original concrete to move while not allowing any normal cracking to transmit through the CTi coating.

Will cracks reoccur?

At CTi, we do everything possible to treat cracks and do eliminate 90% of them, but 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 surface after the warranty expires?

The material is repairable to its original state. CTi services all past warranty decks.

Can you apply the CTi system 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. Paint coatings will need to be ground off or encapsulated before the CTi concrete is applied.

Can the CTi system be applied to steps?

Yes, CTi's systems can be applied to concrete steps including risers and treads.

Can the CTi system be applied to walls?

Yes, however, multiple spray coats are needed to reduce rebound, or waste.

How long has this product been in use?

Concrete Technology's products have been in use since 1992.

How does the price of CTi's systems 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.

What is the cost per square foot?

The price depends on a number of factors, such as the product line chosen, the condition of the original concrete, the prep work required, the patterns chosen, the sealers used, etc. However, CTi can normally find a solution for almost any budget.

How do I clean the CTi surface?

Usually, normal washing with a hose is all that is needed. For stubborn stains, a brush with laundry detergent is all that is needed.

I know concrete is strong and durable; how does CTi's systems compare?

Concrete Technologies systems are harder than concrete. Most concrete has a compressive strength of 2000-2500 psi rating. CTi's system has a 7000 psi rating.