Exposed Aggregate concrete help

   / Exposed Aggregate concrete help #21  
To me that is exactly what exposed ag concrete is supposed to look like....with the spray on and rince off method. By nature, concrete is only about 50% aggregate. And that looks exactly like what you have.

The picture of what you want looks like the aggregate covers 80-90% of the surface. And the way to achieve that is to "seed" the aggregate after the concrete is placed. More expensive and labor intensive.

The truth is, no matter how much you wash, blast, grind, or let wear.....the aggregate in your concrete will never look like the picture because as mentioned....50% of the surface will always be the grey concrete/sand binder and not aggregate

How many of these details were discussed with the contractor? Or what to expect or how it would look.

If you just called a contractor and said you wanted an exposed ag patio....that is exactly what he did and exactly what you got. So no need to point fingers and call him every name under the sun for doing exactly what you asked. Because what you asked for and what you wanted were NOT the same thing and that blame shouldn't be placed on him if that were the case
 
   / Exposed Aggregate concrete help #22  
Our front concrete deck is exposed aggregate. It looks more like what you want yours to be. I’m not trying to make you feel better but I don’t think yours looks bad, it’s just not what you wanted. I think the guy just waited too long to wash it down. I think anything else you do at this point is going to make it look worse. I’d live with it or rip it out and do it again.
 
   / Exposed Aggregate concrete help
  • Thread Starter
#23  
That is two very different methods and I believe your contractor should have known the difference. It's to late now, what you have will never look like what you want.
As it appeared, this creature does not know his but from his head, i showed him pictures, i explained what i want, i asked more than 10 times if he was sure it would be EXACTLY like this. and i told him i need 1-2" pebbles, not 1/4" ones
minimum 4,000psi and high volume

do nothing and it will wear naturally over time. if you live in a cold climate salt your walkways if you want the old worn out concrete look faster.
I made it now and i want it now.

Yep. That's two different methods. Did you show your contractor that picture before he started or bid the price? One is the cheap route the other is a loaded aggregate. Typically done by hand and more expensive. You probably got what you paid for. But I wasn't there. :cool:
yes i did, and he told me he would bring additional aggregate. He told me 2 bags would be enough, i tried to argue that it is too little for this size, but he assured me, he knew what he was doing and 2 bags is plenty. He ended up using only 1.5 bags, but he put it too early and they sank to the bottom and you cannot see it.

To me that is exactly what exposed ag concrete is supposed to look like....with the spray on and rince off method. By nature, concrete is only about 50% aggregate. And that looks exactly like what you have.
It is not what i wanted.
The picture of what you want looks like the aggregate covers 80-90% of the surface. And the way to achieve that is to "seed" the aggregate after the concrete is placed. More expensive and labor intensive.
Yep, it is what i wanted and was supposed to receive per promise and the picture is in the contract
The truth is, no matter how much you wash, blast, grind, or let wear.....the aggregate in your concrete will never look like the picture because as mentioned....50% of the surface will always be the grey concrete/sand binder and not aggregate
I think i'll stain it light brown, it might give some live to it

How many of these details were discussed with the contractor? Or what to expect or how it would look.

All of them

If you just called a contractor and said you wanted an exposed ag patio....that is exactly what he did and exactly what you got. So no need to point fingers and call him every name under the sun for doing exactly what you asked.
Look at the picture below and please tell me what names should i call this guy?
I hope you can see how level it is and how crisp are brake lines.

everything detail was discussed, with pictures, pebble size, colors, finish, brake lines and such. Here in KY i have a real bad experience with contractors, so i made sure to discuss every detail and length and put is on paper.
Because what you asked for and what you wanted were NOT the same thing and that blame shouldn't be placed on him if that were the case
What i asked and what i wanted is exactly the same thing, same picture i show you, was sent to him and attached to the contract.

The blame is on him, but as i reported i my OP, he never returns the calls, text or any other communication attempts.

It is KY, it is a norm here.


20230702_161140.jpg
20230702_161154.jpg
20230702_111218.jpg
 
Last edited:
   / Exposed Aggregate concrete help #24  
After seeing the picture with the level in it, I'd say the contractor did the best job he knew how to do and his best isn't what you contracted for. That's actually quite a bad job unless it was intentional for drainage. I have the same problem in my area. Not sure there is really a solution to this other than tearing it out and getting a different contractor. I've not tried muratic acid on concrete so don't know how that would work, you might try phosphoric acid. That'll eat the concrete and leave the stones, but you run the risk of undercutting the stones and they'll then become loose and be worse than what you have.

There is an option to overlay this with an epoxy and gravel mix. I think they call it Cool Deck and use it around swimming pools for bare feet and drainage. I'd call pool companies to see what they have available as an overlay.
 
   / Exposed Aggregate concrete help #25  
You might as well go rent a mini x with a rock hammer because that job isn’t ever going to look like you want it to.
 
   / Exposed Aggregate concrete help
  • Thread Starter
#26  
After seeing the picture with the level in it, I'd say the contractor did the best job he knew how to do and his best isn't what you contracted for. That's actually quite a bad job unless it was intentional for drainage.
And the brake lines crooked for drainage as well? :), not it was supposed to be level because i'll put a row of decorative bricks-retaining wall on the edge.
Not sure there is really a solution to this other than tearing it out and getting a different contractor.

You might as well go rent a mini x with a rock hammer because that job isn’t ever going to look like you want it to.
I'm already $4K ++, now mini x, a dump track, pay to the dump side, then another God know who contractor, about $10K in a 530Sqft patio. I'd say a little expensive :unsure:

There is an option to overlay this with an epoxy and gravel mix. I think they call it Cool Deck and use it around swimming pools for bare feet and drainage. I'd call pool companies to see what they have available as an overlay.
I'll check this option.
 
Last edited:
   / Exposed Aggregate concrete help
  • Thread Starter
#27  
The real problem is, i did not want this project, but my wife always wanted it, but i was pushing it off.

Two weeks ago she was diagnosed with cancer and i wanted to make something nice to her, to let her enjoy it, she loves to sit around an outdoor fireplace in the evenings. We do it almost every evening weather permitted.

So, i wanted to bring her some joy, instead she cries every day when she sees it. And she cries even more when she sees me trying to fix it in 95-97 F on 85-90% humidity. not to mention all money spend and all the humiliation.

So, how would you like me to call this low life creature?????
 
   / Exposed Aggregate concrete help #30  
You probably should have asked this on a concrete contractor website. Three pages of guys weighing in on something they know nothing about. Grind it, seriously? Pressure wash, let it wear away, just guessing. Many homes have exactly you want; I guess some guys haven't seen it. The contractor was informed and didn't know what he was doing. Nothing else will fix it. Omega Woods gave you the only true answer - you have to take him to court, sadly, if he won't redo this.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

Unused 48in Adjustable Cast Iron Heavy Duty Pipe (A35430)
Unused 48in...
John Deere 4630 Tractor (A36485)
John Deere 4630...
2003 JLG E300AJP Articulated/Knuckleboom Boom Lift (A35430)
2003 JLG E300AJP...
(3) Unused 3/8in x 20ft Galvanized Wire Rope (A35431)
(3) Unused 3/8in x...
Dewalt Dual Tank Air Compressor (A34127)
Dewalt Dual Tank...
3pt 6' Box Blade (A34127)
3pt 6' Box Blade...
 
Top