Preguntas frecuentes sobre hormigón impreso

The application of imprinted concrete varies depending on the surface to be coated. The application of imprinted pavement, both interior and exterior, is carried out in a certain way; while the application of vertical imprinted concrete is executed in a different way. On this page we explain the step by step of each one of them.

The high durability of imprinted concrete makes it one of the preferred materials for covering all types of pavements. If the installation has been carried out with full guarantees and the use and maintenance are correct, the durability of an imprinted concrete pavement can reach more than two decades.

The high durability of imprinted concrete makes it one of the preferred materials for covering all types of pavements. If the installation has been carried out with full guarantees and the use and maintenance are correct, the durability of an imprinted concrete pavement can reach more than two decades.

La impermeabilidad es una de las particularidades de los pavimentos de concreto estampado, por lo que puede aplicarse en zonas expuestas a lluvias ya que no deja pasar el agua evitando así filtraciones y problemas derivados. Una cualidad por la cual las piscinas de concreto estampado están al alza.

El precio del concreto estampado depende de múltiples factores. Desde la calidad de los materiales utilizados o los moldes de concreto estampado, hasta los colores elegidos, la mano de obra y la complejidad del trabajo a realizar. Pero también de las texturas y acabados finales. De esta manera, el precio por metro cuadrado del concreto estampado varía mucho en función de estos elementos.

La resistencia y la durabilidad son dos características que comparten el concreto estampado y el concreto pulido. Ambos son pavimentos sin juntas, ideales para las superficies de alto tráfico por su gran resistencia e inalterables a los cambios de temperatura extremos. Depende del uso, la superficie que se vaya a recubrir y las necesidades particulares de cada persona, es más recomendable utilizar un tipo de concreto u otro. Estas son las principales diferencias entre el pavimento estampado y el pavimento pulido:

1. In imprinted concrete, molds are used to stamp different designs and textures on the surface, so the shapes that have been applied with these molds are found in the surface layer of the stamped concrete. On the other hand, the surface layer of polished concrete is completely smooth and continuous since no molds are used.
2. The thickness of the polished concrete layer is slightly greater than that of the imprinted concrete.
3. Polished concrete is a material with high demand for interior surfaces, especially in private homes. On the other hand, we find imprinted concrete floors both outdoors and indoors and even vertical imprinted concrete on walls, facades or walls.
4. The finishing techniques are totally different. While imprinted concrete has a finish with relief and textures, polished concrete offers a much smoother finish without textures as it does not require molds.

Although it is not usual, because the use of imprinted concrete is more widespread on exterior surfaces, it can also be used without problems indoors in two ways. The first, as imprinted pavement; and the second on facades, walls or walls, which is what is known as vertical imprinted concrete.

If over time you get tired of the imprinted concrete, you will be able to remove it without problems. The most practical way is to use the existing surface as concrete pavement and put whatever you want on top of it. For example, you can place cobblestones, stoneware, tile, tile or microcement, among others.

Another way to remove imprinted concrete, although somewhat rougher and mainly used in large works, is to destroy the surface of imprinted concrete with a compressor hammer or drill.

The duration of an imprinted concrete installation depends on multiple factors: square meters to cover, the finishes that are sought to achieve, the surface on which the stamped concrete will be poured or the degree of inclination of said surface, since it is necessary to level it. Taking into account all these elements, the installation of an imprinted pavement can last approximately one week.

El concreto impreso o concreto estampado no requiere de una limpieza exhaustiva, es suficiente con echar agua a presión.

El mantenimiento del concreto estampado no requiere de mucha complejidad, ya que es un tipo de pavimento muy resistente cuya durabilidad puede incluso superar los 20 años. En el caso de que con el transcurso del tiempo el pavimento estampado haya perdido algo de color o empiece a hacerse notar el cemento, es recomendable aplicar una resina para concreto estampado mezclada con el pigmento del suelo.

Cracks or fissures in the imprinted pavement can appear for various reasons. From an excess load on the imprinted concrete floor, a poorly placed steel mesh or the absence of this, to the deficient compaction of the ground before the concreting, among others.

Next, we explain the step by step to repair a crack or fissure in the imprinted concrete:

1. Clean in depth the area of the imprinted pavement that needs to be repaired, with special emphasis on the inside of the crack or crevice. If necessary, vacuum the dust that may have been stored inside it.
2. Fill the crack or fissure in the imprinted concrete floor generously with a repair putty for concrete. This can be flexible (acrylic or polyurethane putty) or cementitious. If necessary, open the crack well to allow the entry of the repair product.
3. It's time to renew the surface finish of the imprinted concrete. To do this, apply Covercem Stone o Covercem Monocrom en el color que queramos para nuestro concreto estampado.
4. En el caso de usar el Covercem Monocrom, it is necessary to previously carry out a decapitation of the imprinted concrete surface with our Ecoclean Stripper. Luego habrá que limpiar el pavimento con agua a presión.
5. Cuando esté completamente seco el Covercem, aplicar inmediatamente los selladores Sealcem WT o Sealcem DSV dependiendo del brillo o acabado deseado.

Although imprinted pavement is a very resistant continuous decorative pavement, over time there can be a loss of color or shine in its finishes due to erosion, rain, sun or misuse of it.

Un problema que tiene fácil solución. A continuación te explicamos cómo recuperar el color o brillo del concreto estampado:

1. Clean the area you want to renew the imprinted concrete well. For this, the use of the Ecoclean Pro detergent cleaner is recommended, following the instructions given above.
2. Una vez que el piso de concreto estampado esté completamente seco, aplique los selladores Sealcem WT T o Sealcem DSV dependiendo del brillo o acabado deseado. Se aplicarán al menos dos capas del sellador elegido. En el caso específico del barniz Sealcem WT, se puede pigmentar con nuestra gama de tintes Arcocem. aplicando al menos dos capas de sellador. En el caso del SEALCEM WT se puede pigmentar con nuestra gama de tintes ARCOCEM.

Como el pavimento impreso es una superficie texturada/texturizada, solo podemos decapar el sellador o barniz con nuestro Ecoclean Stripper. Los pasos a seguir son:

1. First, you have to strip the surface of the imprinted pavement to leave it in the best possible conditions. With a roller or brush, apply our Ecoclean Stripper gel stripper until the surface is well covered.
2. Cuando el piso de concreto estampado esté perfectamente decapado, se cubrirá por completo con plástico durante 1 hora para evitar que se seque el decapante y pueda actuar en profundidad.
3. Una vez que se proceda a quitar el plástico, se limpiará la superficie de concreto estampado con agua a presión.
4. After checking that the imprinted concrete is dry, it is time to seal the surface again with our Sealcem WT or Sealcem DSV or with our range of Covercem products.

A misuse of the imprinted pavement can cause significant deterioration over time. In the event that the imprinted concrete requires considerable repair, this is the protocol to follow:

1. Clean the area to be repaired well. It is recommended to use the Ecoclean Pro detergent cleaner. Depending on the degree of dirt present on the imprinted pavement, presence of tire marks, etc., it can be applied from pure to diluted 1 part of product in 4 of water. Let the specialized cleaner act between 5 and 15 minutes. Brush afterwards with a bristle brush and then rinse with pressurized water.
2. When the surface is completely dry, it will be the turn of the Covercem Stone in the chosen color. Apply two coats, allowing a drying time of between 4 and 8 hours between each coat, covering the surface well. Allow to dry between 24 and 48 hours after applying the second coat.
3. In case you want a finer finish, you would have to apply Covercem Monocrom. Before doing so, we would strip the imprinted concrete with our Ecoclean Stripper. After cleaning the surface with water, we would proceed to cover the surface of the imprinted pavement with two coats of Covercem Monocrom in the chosen color. Let it dry for 2 hours between each coat, 24 hours after the second coat and just before applying the sealer.
4. Once the Covercem Stone or the Covercem Monocrom is dry, apply the Sealcem WT or Sealcem DSV sealers next, depending on the desired shine or finish.