Concrete Recordkeeping Checklist

Contractors:
Do You Keep a Checklist?

The practice of keeping records of concrete work doesn’t just apply to homeowners. Contractors should record this type of information too. It will come in handy if there’s a callback, and you will save time on new projects by looking back at what you’ve done in the past. Pay special attention to mix design, products used and pouring conditions.

Whenever I recommend that people keep records when they have new concrete decorative concrete installed, they give me a quizzical look, and then laugh at my crazy suggestion, asking, “Why in the world should I bother?” The answer is simple: Because decorative concrete is an investment with real value and you should keep track of how it’s doing. Maintaining records of the mix design used for your concrete and the weather conditions when it was placed, for example, will help you troubleshoot your concrete if something goes wrong a year or so down the road, such as minor cracking or spalling. (Browse through our troubleshooting section if you aren’t convinced that this is important.) You should also keep records identifying the names of any products your contractor applied to your concrete, such as topical colors and sealers. If these products wear off or need to be reapplied, you will be able to buy the same or a compatible material. You should also keep track of any products you apply to your concrete, such as deicing chemicals and cleaners, to identify what worked and what didn’t and ended up causing problems. To help make your concrete recordkeeping easier, here’s a checklist of the important data to include. By setting aside a few minutes to keep these records, you will prolong the life of your concrete investment for many years.

Concrete placement

• Date placed
• Contractor name and contact info
• Concrete mix design and type of reinforcement used (ask for a copy of the batch ticket from the ready-mix supplier)
• Weather conditions at the time of placement (for outdoor concrete)
• Room temperature and humidity at the time of placement (for indoor concrete)
• Names of the coloring agents, curing compounds and sealers used on your concrete
• Stamp pattern used (if applicable)

Exposure conditions

• Extreme weather conditions your concrete may have been exposed to (i.e., frequent freeze-thaw cycles, extreme heat or sun exposure, heavy rain)
• Amount of foot or vehicle traffic (light, average, heavy?)
• Names of any deicing chemicals or salts applied and at what frequency

Concrete maintenance

• Date when your concrete was last sealed and the name of the sealer used (read more about the importance of sealing concrete)
• Recommended time period between sealer applications (ask your concerte contractor or sealer supplier for a maintenance schedule)
• Names of the cleaning agents you use on your concrete (see Choosing a Concrete Cleaner or Degreaser)