Decorative Concrete Finish

Timbo

How do you pour a patio with the pea gravel look?

TimelessQuality

with pea gravel

__________________
-Steve

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." ~ Albert Einstein

sao95

exposed aggregate finish? If that is what you mean the place you order your cement through will double the amount of aggregate in the mix. Finish it like a normal pad and when it is set up to a point you rinse it with a garden hose, it rinses the slurry off the top and leaves the rocks showing.

CaliDesigns

To do an exposed aggregate finish properly - 1)order a specific exposed aggregate mix. It will have a specific type and gradation of aggregate, water reducers, and probably some retarder. Specifics will change based on location. 2)Place and bowl float finish only. 3) Spray a surface retardant on the surface and cover with black plastic, 4) Let sit for 6-12 hrs based on temp. 5)remove plastic and power wash.

Most failure of exposed aggregate finished conrete is caused by people just washing the surface without a surface retardant. You lower the water/cement ratio and you don't have a good bond on the bottom of the aggregate. The surface retarder ectches in the surface 3/16" to 3/8" (depending on the type you buy) and allows a good bond on the bottom before you wash it off.