CTI offers a variety of products for their certified dealers to install for clients around the world. The mainstay system is the Hallmark system, which is a modified liquid cement that is colored and textured in multiple ways. CTI also offers several other products like concrete sealants, and epoxies for interior jobs.
WHAT WARRANTY IS INVOLVED?All workmanship by CTi Lehigh Valley, LLC is backed by a one-year warranty; all materials are backed by the manufacturer, CTI. These material warranties range from 1-10 years depending on the system installed. Concrete Repairs, Cracks and Crack Repair are never under warranty.
IS CTI'S HALLMARK PRODUCT THE ONLY PRODUCT IT MANUFACTURES?Concrete Technology Inc. manufactures a full line of concrete beautification and restoration products for both residential and commercial use. CTI has different products that can be used over concrete floors, existing countertops, and even walls. In the commercial setting, Concrete Technology manufactures a line of tough, durable epoxy and urethane floor coatings that can protect concrete even in the harshest of environments.
HOW THICK IS IT?Normally, the products installed are no thicker than that of two dimes. In some circumstances, we may apply products a little thicker or thinner, depending on what is needed for an optimal restoration/resurfacing of the concrete.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?We tell all of our clients that your imagination is the limit to our systems. We can produce nearly any texture, any colors, and any pattern you desire. Visit our Gallery to see some examples!
WHAT COLORS DOES IT COME IN?We have a variety of standard colors to choose from. However, we can custom produce any color you wish for a minimal extra charge.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DO A JOB?This is dependent on the size of the job, and how much prep work is needed before any system install can begin. On average, a 500 sq.ft. job, with normal prep work should not take longer than two days. Another variable that plays largely on completion of any job is the weather. We will always keep the client(s) up to date on the progress of their projects.
DOES THE POOL HAVE TO BE DRAINED?No, the pool should be full. If the pool were empty, the CTI system overspray would stain the plaster. If full, any small amount of overspray can be dealt with by allowing the overspray to settle to the bottom, then shutting off the filter, and pumping the material to waste and bypassing all filters. However, if your pool job requires our installers to coat concrete that is on the inside of the pool, then draining the pool may be necessary.
HOW DO YOU TREAT CONTROL OR EXPANSION JOINTS?All existing control joints should remain in the surface to allow for expansion and contraction of the original concrete. They are not coated with the CTI system and are masked off. We can, however, work to ensure these joints match the rest of the look of the surfaces.
IS IT COOL TO WALK ON?Here is how CTI's systems compare to other coatings as far as heat retention:
- Up to 40 degrees cooler than concrete.
- 30%-40% cooler than epoxy stone
- 50% cooler than vinyl or urethane
- 40%-50% cooler than wood decks
- Up to 40% cooler than carpet
- 50%-60% cooler than terrazzo
- 40%-50% cooler than tile
- 20%-30% cooler than brick
Colors of the product and texture chosen will affect the overall temperature of the surface.
No. Kool Deck is a product that must be applied to freshly poured concrete within 5 hours in order to bond. CTI's systems can be applied to new or old concrete. In addition, CTI's systems are a three-coat system and are sealed with a finish coat, which makes it impervious to staining. By contrast, Kool Deck is a very porous, non-flexible product that has a minimal life expectancy.
WILL POOL WATER, CHLORINE, MURIATIC ACID, OR BLEACH STAIN THE CTI SYSTEM?No, the sealers we apply to our systems are not affected by most chemicals.
WILL CTI'S SYSTEMS FADE?No, not dramatically, the CTI product has approximately a 2% fade factor over seven years, which is undetectable by the human eye; our warranty covers this.
CAN YOU CORRECT DRAINAGE AND LOW SPOTS?We can generally improve drainage; however, the degree of success is contingent upon the pitch of the concrete adjacent to the low spot. The low spot will have to be looked at personally by an installer to let you know what you can expect.
HOW DO YOU TREAT CRACKS IN THE CONCRETE PRIOR TO THE CTI APPLICATION?Cracks are ground out with a cup grinder to produce a "V". A two-part urethane seeded with sand is then introduced into the crack and will re-bond the crack. Depending on the severity of the crack, other methods may be used.
WILL CRACKS REOCCUR?Though we do everything possible to treat cracks and do eliminate 90% of them, it is possible they may reoccur. If they do, it is usually in the form of a hairline, which is not objectionable as it is largely hidden in the texture. However, if a crack becomes too objectionable, it is easy to repair. Proper placement of tension cuts greatly reduces the chance of the crack returning. Check cracking is a natural phenomenon which occurs in rock, dried-out mud flats, paint, and concrete and in ceramic coatings. Cracks in the concrete may be structural or surface cracks. Surface cracks are generally less than a few millimeters wide and deep. These are often called hairline or check cracks and may consist of single, thin cracks, or cracks in a craze/map-like pattern. A small number of surface or shrinkage cracks is common and does not usually cause any problems. Surface cracks can be caused by freezing and thawing, poor construction practices, and alkali-aggregate reactivity. Alkali-aggregate reactivity occurs when the aggregate reacts with the cement causing crazing or check cracks. Structural cracks in the concrete are usually larger than 1/8 inch in width. They extend deeper into the concrete and may extend all the way through a wall, slab, or other structural member. Structural cracks are often caused by settlement of the fill material supporting the concrete structure, or by loss of the fill support due to erosion. The structural cracks may worsen in severity due to the forces of weathering.
WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY DECK AFTER THE WARRANTY?The material is repairable to its original state. We service all decks during and past warranty with an optional service agreement.
CAN YOU APPLY THE CTI SYSTEM OVER PAINTED CONCRETE?While this is an option, the surface would still need to be abraded for bonding. We prefer to grind off all paint, or use a chemical mixture to etch the paint away; this allows us to guarantee a molecular bond.
CAN THE CTI SYSTEM BE APPLIED TO STEPS?Yes, CTI's systems can be applied to concrete steps including risers and treads.
CAN THE CTI SYSTEM BE APPLIED TO WALLS?Yes, however, coating vertical surfaces requires more time and does cost a little more due to rebound and product waste.
DO YOU APPLY THE MATERIAL TO CANTILEVER FACES AND COPING STONES?We do apply CTI's systems to cantilever faces and coping stones. Though application over coping stones is a matter of personal preference, it is often advisable to coat the stones unless they are exceptionally new. If not coated, they tend to look old and dirty after the CTI installation is complete. In addition, the older copings which have deep lips can be filled in so the coping stones are level with the deck giving a modern cantilevered look.
IF THE COPING STONES ARE NOT COVERED, WILL THE CTI SYSTEM BE HIGHER?No, CTI's systems are feathered very thin at the joint edge so the coping and decking will be level.
HOW LONG HAS THIS PRODUCT BEEN IN USE?Acrylic decking has been in use since the early 70's. Our manufacturing facility has been producing coatings since 1968.
CAN YOU LEVEL HEAVED CONCRETE?Yes, quite easily. Depending on the severity, however, additional charges may exist.
HOW DOES THE PRICE OF CTI'S SYSTEMS COMPARE WITH REMOVING AND REPLACING OLD CONCRETE?The cost of the CTI system is normally 20%-25% less than the cost of removing cement and pouring new and is much better looking and much easier to maintain than the original cement.
IF I WANT MY OLD CONCRETE RIPPED OUT AND REPLACED WITH NEW, DO YOU DO THAT? Yes. We can even provide a sealant service with the new concrete if you are not looking for anything decorative.
WHAT IS THE COST PER SQUARE FOOT?The price depends on a number of factors, such as the condition of the original concrete, the patterns chosen, etc.
HOW DO I CLEAN THE CTI SURFACES?Usually, normal washing with a hose is all that is needed. For stubborn stains, use a brush with some type of detergent like: dish soap or laundry detergent. Additional methods for cleaning will be presented to you when the job is completed; cleaning is varied based upon the sealant used.
I KNOW CONCRETE IS STRONG AND DURABLE, HOW DOES CTI'S SYSTEMS COMPARE?CTI's systems are harder than concrete. Most concrete has a compressive strength rating of 2000-2500 psi. CTI's system has a rating of 7000 psi.
WHEN YOU ARE DONE CURBING, CAN YOU PROVIDE LANDSCAPING AS WELL? Yes, we can do simple landscaping for an additional fee. If the landscaping you desire is out of our scope, then we have partnering landscapers who can do the job just as well.
CAN THE CURBING BE RESURFACED AS WELL? Yes, just like a driveway or patio, a concrete curb can be resurfaced just as well. We can even make your new curbing match any previous work that has a CTI installed system.
