Does Silva Stamped Concrete service my area?

We service most areas within 60 Miles from North Dartmouth, MA 02747.

Does Silva Stamped Concrete service Rhode Island or any other state?

We typically service anywhere in Massachusetts or Rhode Island within 60 miles of North Dartmouth, MA 02747. We however do not service any other state beyond MA & RI, unfortunately.

Is there a minimum job size or cost for new installations?

Unfortunately there is, due to the several factors such as but not limited to weather, fuel, crew size, salaries, insurance, minimum material quantities, waste, and other overhead costs involved, we are unable to take on new installation projects under $12,000.

What is stamped concrete and why should I choose it as my choice of pavement?

Beauty and Elegance

Unlike drab asphalt or plain concrete, the visual appearance of stamped concrete brings beauty and elegance to your home.

Longevity

Stamped concrete is custom made and is one solid slab, rather than several individual pieces. When installed correctly, stamped concrete is much like a bridge, with its long lasting steel and concrete. Products like stone, brick, pavers, etc. do not have this advantage and will eventually settle unevenly, grow weeds, shift, separate, and fall apart over time, especially in New England where the ground goes through constant freeze and thaw cycles over the winter.

Ease of Maintenance

Thought pavers were maintenance-free? Think again! Anything outdoors will eventually require cleaning. Stamped concrete is easy to pressure-wash and keep clean on a regular basis. Pavers, and several other materials on the other-hand are much more porous, and are prone to collecting more dirt over time and sometimes even mold. The sanded joints that come along with pavers also make it difficult to pressure-wash without having to redo them every time. These sanded joints also bring along other burdens like weeds, algae, ants, frost heaving, etc. With stamped concrete, you will never have any of these issues.

Value

Stamped concrete is not only the longest lasting option in New England but can oftentimes be the most cost effective too! Despite its complex installation process, there are less middle-men involved with stamped concrete. We are your contractor, retailer, distributor, and manufacturer all in one, providing you with a direct to consumer custom made product with superior longevity and value!

Turnaround Time

While every project is different, things like weather, availability, scheduling, permitting, or local town inspections (if applicable) can all affect turnaround time. We typically only need 3-4 working days to complete your project! (typically within a 2 week window).

Can I get a job done without steel forming (rebar, wire mesh, etc.) to save money?

Absolutely not! Steel is by far the most important part of any concrete project. It is what holds everything together and keeps it from breaking and falling apart over time. Without it the whole area would slowly fail due to the ground settling and shifting over the years to come. We only do jobs with steel forming because we only provide our customers with the highest quality work and take pride in our longevity standards. Any company that does not use steel forming is scamming the customer because the product will not last and slowly fail overtime.

When looking for an installer what should I be looking for in terms of quality?

We have a nice write up in our About Us section, even if you do not choose Silva Stamped Concrete, there is a good amount of information there for anyone looking to educate themselves more about the product.

I have an existing area with concrete already, is there a way to get stamped concrete without ripping it out?

In most cases yes, to see if you are eligible in doing so please contact us for a professional evaluation.

My stamped concrete is a little slippery, is there a way to solve this problem?

Yes, here at Silva Stamped Concrete we always use a special non-slip additive in our sealer that provides plenty of grip. In some rare cases the concrete may be slightly more slippery than usual the very first time it’s sealed due to the curing porous concrete absorbing and wearing off this material but each time it is resealed in the future we can add more or less of this non-slip material to your preference. Many contractors either do not use this non-slip additive at all or do not properly apply this product because they are not equipped with the specific tools needed to do the job right.

How often should I get my stamped concrete sealed?

In most cases we recommend having your stamped concrete resealed the following year after the initial install because the new concrete tends to absorb most of the sealer leaving a blotchy look as it cures over time eventually leaving little to no protection, at this same time we can also correct any minor imperfections that may have appeared during the curing and settling period.

After having it resealed again for the first time, it is generally recommended to have it sealed again every other year (however there are many variables that may affect your specific recommendation like the amount of sun/shade the area receives and also how many preexisting layers/coats your concrete already has) but ultimately how often you get your stamped concrete sealed is up to you.

If not sealed for several years, the stamped concrete will slowly start to lose some of its original color and luster, usually ending up with a more rough and porous like surface comparable to regular plain concrete and/or concrete pavers (which is also prone to staining). At this point it is usually recommended to have the concrete stained prior to sealing and it becomes a bit of a process to bring back to life but still possible (Please see our Reseal Repair section for some visual examples).

It is also important to not apply too much sealer at once or apply it too frequently as this can cause several issues such as blushing, fish scaling, chipping, discoloration, etc. For these reasons mainly we always recommend you get your stamped concrete sealed professionally and do not recommend applying more than a single coat at once (if a second coat is needed we generally recommend that it be applied the following year. Think of the time and weather in-between like sanding when painting, this will help with proper adhesion of the second coat and avoid the potential issues mentioned before).

My newly installed stamped concrete seems blotchy and/or faded, is this normal?

In most cases yes, because the concrete is still in its early curing stages it tends to absorb any sealer applied to it and the concrete also lightens up as it releases moisture over this period of time (think of dark wet concrete versus a light colored foundation or sidewalk). We highly recommend sealing it again the following year after everything is completely cured as this will even out the color while preserving it and prevent staining, at this time we can also have more non-slip material applied.

My stamped concrete is cracked, is this normal?

In most cases yes, while we avoid cracking as much as possible with the use of control joints, fiber mesh, rebar, etc. it still happens. Some hairline cracks may even appear the same day it’s initially put in as the concrete dries (referred to as shrinkage cracks) and others over the first winter as the ground settles. With the use of rebar however you may rest assured that any hairline cracks are purely aesthetic and should always remain less than 1/8″ wide as it holds your concrete together and prevents it from ever separating or shifting. We understand that these cracks are not aesthetically pleasing of course, and if possible we do fill them in with a color matched silicone to blend in with your beautiful stamped concrete. The best time to fill in these hairline cracks is one year after the initial install as the concrete at this point is normally done shrinking and settling, filling any in before this time does not harm anything however it may reopen again during the initial curing and settling period. For concrete that has not been sealed in several years however, it is not recommended to fill in any hairline cracks as the concrete may be very porous and applying any silicone over porous concrete may result in permanent staining causing the hairline crack to look much worse.

What precautions should I take with my salt water pool?

As we all know living in New England, salt is corrosive, in your pool it can harm things like your deck regardless of material, the pool itself if gunite or plaster, tile, anchors that hold your ladders and railings, your pool equipment, and more. Many manufacturers of salt water chlorinators state that it is important to maintain and test your water chemistry periodically to prevent any possible corrosion, check your owner’s manual (or usually on the back of the metal cover to your salt meter) for the recommended chemistry levels and saturation index. It is important to never exceed any of those levels at any time and it is better to run with lower acceptable salt levels if possible (2800-3000 ppm is generally recommended). The following precautions are also advisable, brush and/or blow off any salt accidentally spilled outside of the pool water when adding, rinse down areas with fresh water after heavy use, clean anchors if possible when removing/installing your ladders/railings, and only use high quality solvent based sealers for the best protection.

I do not have a salt water pool, do I have anything else to worry about?

It is still important to watch the chemistry level of your water to prevent corrosion and staining. Things like too much calcium/hardness can cause white marks to form and not enough can cause other issues as well. Chlorine and other chemicals are also corrosive when used in larger quantities than recommend especially when closing the pool for the winter. It is also not recommend to have anything solid like a carpet or tarp over the concrete as this traps moisture underneath which can cause blushing, pitting, and traps any chemical vapors in the pool and under the tarp. It is recommended to use a loop loc pool cover or any other similar product which does not sit directly on the concrete and is meshed to allow said vapors to escape.

When is the best time to get my stamped concrete sealed?

The best time is usually anytime from April to October. We recommend for pool decks to be sealed anytime after your pool is opened (cover is taken off) and before it is closed (cover is put back on). For driveways, we typically recommend sealing in the Fall (mid September – late October) so that it is best protected for the following winter.