Nursery rhymes describe the ingredients for all kinds of concoctions, but we’ve not heard a rhyming recipe for concrete. Is this an oversight? Probably not, because making concrete is a serious business. Doing it right is something West Coast Epoxy takes seriously when helping our Folsom customers.
Start with Cement
Making cement is merely the first step in making concrete. Cement mixtures often include chalk, slate, iron ore, sand, or even animal shells. The mixture is pulverized so there are no pieces larger than 3 inches and then heated to about 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,483° Celsius) to remove embedded gases. The result is a substance called clinker, and it looks like big gray marbles. Clinker gets ground up with gypsum, more limestone, and possibly other materials into a fine powder. At that point you have cement, and it’s ready to combine with other ingredients to make concrete.
On to the Concrete!
Another vital ingredient in making concrete is water. Adding water to the cement makes a paste. Adding aggregates such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone to the mix, then allowing it to dry, results in concrete. Mixtures of concrete often specialize in high strength, quick-setting, or crack resistance. These forms of concrete are used across the world for roads, bridges, patios, home foundations, or practically anything in between. Take a look around any urban area of Folsom, and you’ll find concrete helping to shape our civilization.
Supporting Cast
Concrete is strong, durable, and long-lasting, but it’s not indestructible. Things like heavy equipment, corrosive materials, constant exposure to water, and even time itself can bring any concrete structure to a bitter end. West Coast Epoxy offers epoxy coatings to protect and support your concrete in Folsom. What’s more, the look of epoxy flooring is customizable. You can add textures, color flakes, micas, logos, or other designs to make your epoxy coatings in Folsom one of a kind — a tribute to your imagination.
What would you prefer your cement floor to look like? Take note of the examples offered in our website gallery. When you’re ready, give us a call or schedule a free consultation online, so you can discuss your options with an expert. The moral of our concrete story is, whatever mix was used for your concrete floor, it will benefit from your choice in epoxy coatings!