What is the most common cause of concrete cracks?

• <div><p>The most common cause of concrete cracks is shrinkage when the concrete hardens and cures. The stress from the shrinkage exceeds the concrete’s strength. Concrete cracking can also occur when it experiences extremely cold or hot temperatures, such as a particularly harsh winter or a firepit built into a concrete patio.</p></div>

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Q: How long should concrete dry before sanding?

• <div><p>It depends on the type of concrete and how long it takes to cure. Some concrete countertops can be sanded 3 days after pouring, while other slabs may require weeks to cure before sanding. </p></div>

Q: Can I just use cement on its own?

• <div><p>No, cement cannot be used on its own except for rare circumstances, as it's only a binder to form other products, such as concrete or mortar. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to create a concrete or mortar mix. Concrete, for instance, needs cement, water, and aggregates such as sand and gravel. Using the right amount of water and water temperature is essential to ensure you have the right <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/concrete-slump.htm">concrete slump</a> and the mix spreads easily and cures well. </p></div>

Q: How common are concrete shrinkage cracks?

• <div><p>Concrete shrinkage cracks are very common and should be expected. Even professionals end up with shrinkage cracks on newly poured concrete slabs. Remember that these cracks are not harmful to the slab's strength, though some homeowners do prefer to fill in the cracks for aesthetics. When installing concrete, you can avoid ample concrete shrinkage cracks by avoiding hot, sunny, or windy days.</p></div>

Q: Can you pour concrete if it rained the day before?

• <div><p>Yes, you can pour concrete if it rained the day before, but you&rsquo;ll need to drain the construction site to ensure there isn&rsquo;t standing water where your slab will sit. You might need to manually remove any puddles and set up drainage on your site to dry it before pouring. Moist soil won&rsquo;t be an issue, but standing water will throw off your concrete mix ratios. Additionally, ensure there isn&rsquo;t more rain expected in the near future before you pour.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Decorative Concrete Service pros in Star Lake, NY

*The Angi rating for Decorative Concrete Service companies in Star Lake, NY is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Decorative Concrete Service needs.

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Last update on November 23, 2025

Reviewed in October 2021
Lewis Construction did a great job on installing a new concrete sidewalk. Dan was very professional and finished the job in a timely manner. I would definitely recommend them and do business again with them.
Lewis Construction and Remodeling
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Reviewed in August 2013
Matt, was on time for our initial appointment and the office followed up in a timely fashion with a clearly written detailed estimate. we hired them to do the work. They estimated that they would begin the work about mid July. With the wet spring and their busy schedule, the start of the...
Architectural Concrete Plus
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Reviewed in June 2014
Pat and his crew were kind, friendly, and professional. First, Pat always called us back and kept us informed of the project status. He was there to answer any questions no matter how insignificant they were or how busy Pat may have been. Pat is a good salesman but his recommendations are...
Caldwells Custom Concrete Inc
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Reviewed in April 2016
very seamless. Ease of communication and implementation of changes as we went we very smooth.
LAKE CONSTRUCTION
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Reviewed in May 2016
DO NOT WASTE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY ON THIS COMPANY! I spent more than $15,000.00 on a pool deck. Started several weeks later than promised. Never called to say when they were running last. When done, Steve Hufcut said he’d return at the end of the season to put a final seal on it. Did not...
Hufcut Concrete Corp
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Concrete Driveways & Floors Installation

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JF Construction

JF Construction

Black lake builders

Black lake builders

Zimmerman Contracting LLC

Zimmerman Contracting LLC

Onsite Hvac Solutions Inc

Onsite Hvac Solutions Inc

Sarna Construction

Sarna Construction

Jaer Baer Enterprises

Jaer Baer Enterprises

TriCity Home Renovations

TriCity Home Renovations

CLD Custom Carpentry

CLD Custom Carpentry

Duncan Enterprises

Duncan Enterprises

Murphys Masonry

Murphys Masonry

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