Tips for Stamped Concrete

Compact the Foundation

• A stamped concrete surface is as susceptible to cracks as an ordinary slab if the foundation is not solid. Use a compactor machine or hand tamper to compact and stabilize the ground beneath the foundation. Fill the foundation with ¾-inch aggregate base and repeat the process. Compacting the rocks forces them to fit together, reducing air pockets in the base, but still allowing excess water to drain away. Lay down wire mesh over the base to reinforce the concrete surface.

Dry-Lay the Stamps

• Once the concrete is poured and manipulated, you have a limited window of time to press the stamps. Familiarize yourself with the stamps prior to pouring the concrete. Note how they align together on the sides and in which direction you'll need to set them so the pattern is consistent. Practice laying the stamps on solid ground or over the aggregate base.

Manipulating the Concrete

• Note your local weather reports, and avoid pouring concrete if temperatures are expected to drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or if precipitation is predicted. Pouring concrete into the foundation involves a few basic steps. Follow the directions on the bag of concrete to make the concrete creamy, not granular. Have one person spread the concrete with a gauge rake to remove air pockets and spread it even and flat, while another person pours. Smooth the concrete with a trowel or long-handled float.

Seal the Surface

• Concrete is a strong but porous material. Sealants are designed to penetrate the surface and fill the pores to increase its durability. Use a nonbreathable concrete sealant to protect a stamped surface from deterioration, as well as water and weather damage. Plan to add a fresh coat of sealant every one or two years, depending on the exposure and volume of traffic to which the surface is exposed.