Apply Sika® Rugasol® S with a low pressure spray immediately after screeding when concrete has lost its sheen.

When to use Rugasol?

Sika® Rugasol C eliminates the need for sandblasting, hacking and bush hammering, leaving the aggregate unbroken and firmly embedded.
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It can be spray applied to horizontal surfaces of freshly placed concrete sections such as:

1. Floor slabs.
2. Driveways.
3. Patios.
4. Swimming pools.
5. Footpaths.

How long do you leave Rugasol on concrete?

This surface layer should be removed using a hose or low pressure water-blaster and a soft broom, until a good clean exposed aggregate finish is revealed. As an indication it is normal for the retard- ing effect of Sika® Rugasol® C (NZ) to be finished after a maximum of 24 hours at 20°C.

What is Rugasol used for?

RUGASOL MH is used for producing decorative exposed aggregate surfaces to concrete that has been cast against formwork or moulds. It is ideal for both insitu formed concrete or precast concrete units, and can be used on either horizontal or vertical surfaces.

How do you apply concrete retarder?

Apply surface retarder evenly over the surface using a low-pressure sprayer or roller. Many surface retarders are designed to form a film over the surface that acts as temporary curing agent and protects the concrete from light rain and wind.

Hy-Tec Exposed Concrete using Rugasol

Does retarder weaken concrete?

Retarding admixtures are used to slow the rate of setting of concrete. By slowing the initial setting time, the concrete mixture can stay in its fresh mix state longer before it gets to its hardened form.

How do you use Rugasol 90?

Sika® Rugasol®-90 should be applied in a good uniform coat onto the horizontal concrete surface as soon as the initial 'bleeding' of the concrete has finished but before initial set. (A garden sprayer is suitable).

How do you acid wash exposed aggregate concrete?

An acid-wash treatment (1 hydrochloric acid to between 10 and 20 parts water) is usually necessary to brighten up the stones by removing the fine cement film from the surface. The surface should first be thoroughly wetted to prevent acid soaking into the concrete and weakening the bond to the exposed aggregates.

How often should you seal exposed aggregate concrete?

Depending on weather and traffic, when using an acrylic sealer exposed aggregate concrete should be sealed every 12 to 36 months.

How long does Exposed aggregate take to dry?

How long does exposed aggregate take to dry? Wet exposed aggregate can take about a few hours to dry. Since it is a special type of concrete, it will harden right after pouring. It can take about 24 hours to cure, but it is still susceptible to damage for the next four weeks.

Is Exposed aggregate cheaper than concrete?

Exposed aggregate concrete is a special mixture which is poured in much the same way, but which later has its top surface removed in order to expose the aggregate underneath. ... Standard concrete paving also tends to be more affordable than exposed aggregate paving, costing only about $7-9 per square foot.

What is Ragasol?

Rugasol 90 is a specially formulated liquid surface retarder for summer conditions. Rugasol 90 will cause retardation to the surface of the freshly laid concrete, and will result in an exposed aggregate type finish.

Can you put too much retarder in concrete?

Also, if too much retarder is added to concrete used for a slab it can lead to crusting, where the surface sets but the concrete below is still soft. This can really reduce your flatness and even lead to delamination of the surface.

How do you increase slump in concrete?

Adding just 1 gallon of water per cubic yard can: Increase slump 1 inch, decrease compressive strength 150 to 200 psi, waste about 1/4 bag of cement, and increase shrinkage by 10%. But water isn't the only way to adjust slump. Consider adding a superplasticizer at the site to increase slump.

When should you Powerfloat?

A rough guide for considering when to begin power floating is when walking on the surface leaves indentations of 3-4 mm. If the concrete is too wet the machine will tear up the surface, and if it is too dry, it will not be possible to trim high spots or fill low spots effectively.

How soon after pouring concrete should you wet it?

If water evaporates too quickly, it will weaken the finished product with stresses and cracking. To put it simply, the goal is to keep the concrete saturated during the first 28 days. The first 7 days after installation you should spray the slab with water 5-10 times per day, or as often as possible.

Do I need to wet new concrete?

ANSWER: Keeping concrete moist helps the curing process. ... If too much water is lost from the concrete through evaporation, the hardening process slows down or ceases. Concrete continues to gain strength after pouring for as long as it retains moisture, but the longer it moist-cures, the slower the rate of strength gain.

Why is exposed aggregate so expensive?

Exposed aggregate concrete costs as much as double what you'd pay for normal class concrete. This is because there is an additional material cost for the aggregate used and more labour involved in creating the finish.

Is Exposed aggregate worth it?

Exposed aggregate is mostly recommended for families. Because it is slip resistant, you can use it as the surface for your pool deck, patio, and sidewalk. It is also a great choice for those who plan to improve the look of their driveway because of its resilience to heavy items.

Does Exposed aggregate crack?

that fills it will be a lot more visible than the neutral epoxy. there is no concretor that will guarantee against cracking, as long as all efforts and correct installation practices are done, concrete can and does crack.

How soon can you seal exposed aggregate?

Concrete sealer is a protective barrier that gives longevity to concrete and makes cleaning easy. If your concrete is new, you'll need to let it cure; wait at least one month before applying sealer.