Frequently Asked Questions

I just poured new concrete. When can it be stained? When can it be engraved?: Depending on several things like temperature and humidity, with few exceptions, stains and sealers require a 30 to 45 day cure time. Concrete hydrates during cure. As it cures moisture dissipates from the slab. If it is sealed too soon the water vapors may build up and push the stain and sealer off. How soon a pattern can be engraved or cut also depends on several things like temperature, humidity, aggregate type, and the type of cut. You should wait at least 7 days before decorative engraving.
How wide and deep is a cut?: The Engrave-A-Crete® Systems use specially designed diamond blades to cut simulated grout lines. Blade widths are available from 1/16" to 3/8" wide to accommodate your customers design specifications. We recommend cutting at a depth of 3/32" which is between 1/16" and 1/8". The engravers have the ability to engrave up to a 1/4" deep.
How do you treat cracks in the concrete prior to installation?: Widening a crack and/or filling it with a special super-duper epoxy compound generally does not work. Smearing a crack with polymer cement won't fix a crack either. That crack is going to remain in the concrete, Period! The best thing is to very carefully fill a crack with a flexible product (depending on choice of stain). A crack can be tolerated if it's hidden and disguised in the pattern. On badly cracked or poor quality concrete, we often engrave a design such as flagstone or cobblestone which can disguise the cracks in the cuts. Many times very ugly concrete makes beautiful stones.
Can Engrave-A-Crete® be applied to concrete walls or steps?: The Engrave-A-Crete® process can be used on walls, ceilings, and concrete steps including risers and treads.
How is the color of hard existing concrete changed?: There are proven methods that you can use to change the color of ordinary gray concrete. Penetrating acrylic and Reactive Acid Chemical (RAC) stains can give a wide variation of looks. From a solid uniform color to a marbled, variegated, aged or antique appearance.
Will the color fade?: Nothing is completely impervious to the sun’s UV rays. Everybody's colors change. Fade? Maybe a little. Many times a color actually becomes darker. Changes in the color of a stain outside are very slow and span many years, especially when they are routinely maintained with a clear sealer.
How thick is it?: There is no thickness added. The grooving process cuts the concrete to give an appearance of a grout line and that gives the look of depth and texture.
How does an Engrave-A-Crete® Super Compact or Mongoose concrete engraver work?: It's a coordinated action where the operator is guiding and propelling the engraver and in turn the engraver and the tracking system are guiding the operator. The pattern is cut into the concrete with a unique diamond saw blade mounted in the engraving machine
What if inclement weather arises and my installer needs to stop in the middle of a job?: A major advantage of the Engrave-A-Crete® Systems - is that most of the time, if it is necessary to leave a job site during operations, its no problem. If it rains or gets too hot for your installer to continue, don’t worry. It won't damage the finished product. The installer will simply return when they are able and start where they left off. Our easily adaptable product is very important due to things that are beyond your control. Some phases, like the application of stain or sealer should be finished, but generally, it's not a big setback to simply stop the work.
How do engraved bricks look several years after installation?: With periodic maintenance the surface will look substantially the same years after the installation. With no maintenance, over the years, engraved bricks naturally take on an antique or used brick appearance. Brick, cobblestone, and flagstone that looks like it has a long history is desired by many.
After several years, what if my customer wants to change colors?: Depending on the customer’s wishes and products used, there are multiple ways to change the color and appearance of an existing job.
What is the life expectancy of an Engrave-A-Crete® installation?: Engrave-A-Crete® bricks, tiles and cobblestones are guaranteed to never come loose. How could they? The pattern is cut INTO the concrete. The pattern will last as long as the concrete because it is the concrete.
How does weather effect the installation process?: Although it may not be practical, concrete can be engraved on the coldest or the hottest days. The concrete surface temperature needs to be between 50 to 90 degrees for the application of stains and sealers.
Will the Engrave-A-Crete® process withstand the very cold winters where I live?: The clear sealers help to protect the concrete to make it last longer and withstand the weather better. The process uses moisture barrier but vapor permeable protective clear sealers. By keeping water, salt and de-icers out of the concrete it is less likely to spall or delaminate. Machines have been operating successfully for many years in northern States and Canada.