Ageing/Naturation
Please note and understand that your concrete paving slabs will change in visual
appearance over time. These changes will come about by the following situations
and are different from location to location. (a) water availability to the concrete
with wet / dry cycles, (b) site specific environmental influences ( leaf litter,
berries, extreme sunlight / shade, soils, minerals), (c) foot traffic / machinery
/ utensil intensity on surface wear and tear. The following are examples of some
of the visual ways concrete surfaces can appear and are intended to highlight the
natural changes that occur with all concrete.
Wet Dry Surface Differential
Many customers enquire about the ' square ringed markings ' that form around the
edge of concrete paving slabs. This marking is formed naturally by an area ( the
outer paving slab edge ) of the concrete paving surface having water available to
it for longer periods than the rest of the surface ( the inner ). This phenomenon
typically occurs as the paving slabs are drying off after a heavy dew or frost.
The wet area is allowed to mature ( chemical reaction with water / concrete surface
) at a faster rate than the dry area, leaving an age differential in the form of
this marking. Over time this marking will soften and be barely noticeable.
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Aged Drying Wetting Markings |
Drying and Wetting Rings |
Wet Dry Surface Differential |
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Wet Dry Surface Differential |
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Water Staining/Markings
Pavers stored incorrectly or in extremely wet environments can develop water markings
through an increasing continued chemical reaction within the wet surface when compared
to the dry surface. Again these markings will lesson in intensity over time.
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Horizontal Water Staining |
Vertical Water Dribble Markings |
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New alongside Ageing Textured
Concrete will change in appearance over time, subject to the amount of water available
to it. The digital shot showing Efflorecence on a smooth natural plain paver differs
visually in look when compared to the following shot of a new versus ageing textured
paver. The textured surface almost always appears to visually soften the natural
ageing motliness effect inherent to concrete.
Wet look alongside Dry
Wet concrete will always appear darker in colour intensity than the same surface
dry. Please note that as your paving slabs dry naturally once laid the colouration
of natural plain or coloured tinted concrete will lighten in colour and develop
a chalky look
Efflorecence and Scaling
Concrete unless very old will still retain certain salts within the body of the
concrete. These salts will leach out to the concrete surface and cause a visual
motliness or scaling to appear - this dusting is often called Efflorecence.
What is Efflorecence?
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