Considerations on "washed gravel" floors

"Washed gravel" floors refer to floors in which the surface/cortical layer was removed, for a thickness of a few millimetres, with pressure washing, in order to highlight ("expose") the stones that make up the conglomerate itself. The aggregates that constitute the concrete will be directly visible and in projection; thus it goes without saying that the latter then constitute a very important part of the aesthetic effect of the final product. Thus the use of round and colored aggregates, surrounded by white cement binders, for example, once treated with the method of the "washed gravel", will give great and aesthetic value to the finished works (in comparison to a concrete with aggregates from crushing, usually grey in color, mixed with grey cement). The technical and structural characteristics of the original flooring (quality and dosage of the cement, type and nature of the conglomerate, resistance to compression, thicknesses, any armour, etc.) will remain unchanged.

For an excellent pavement with the "washed gravel" technique, of exceptional aesthetic and functional value, we recommend that you follow the following guidelines and tips:

1. Packing the concrete with white cement 42.5 R, dosed at not less than 350 kg/m³.
2. Use round aggregates (not from crushing) and at least 4 different colours, chosen by the customer based on their aesthetic tastes, and particle size of 1 mm to 12 mm.
3. Add to the concrete by reason of 1 kg/m³, multifilament polypropylene fibre Readymesh PM-180.
4. Create a thickness of at least 10 cm.
5. Treat the cortical part of the flooring, subsequently to washing, with the lithium silicate solution QL Nano Lithium.