by secure_admin | Nov 11, 2021 | Concrete Services
If you are planning on putting in a new patio, driveway, or other surfaces, and planning on pouring in concrete on your own, halt! Read this article before you do so.
We get it. You want to cut the cost, avoid calling a professional?Sioux Falls concrete contractor?that can help you a great deal, and attempt to do the work on your own with some DIY videos you just found on YouTube. Unfortunately, doing a concrete project as big as putting in a new driveway or patio is not something that all people can do if you try to consider the practical issues as well as the safety concerns when doing the concrete pouring on your own.?
Here are the dangers of DIY concrete pouring:
Improper Preparation
There are steps that need to be done to ensure that your concrete will be long-lasting, and that involves crucial steps for preparation. When you excavate the area, clearing some debris and plants, it is not an adequate preparation for pouring in your concrete. Take note that pouring in concrete on a loose soil will eventually make the concrete weak and unfounded. It will eventually start to crack and crumble in no time. To avoid this, ensure that you have a firm base by using a plate compactor that compacts the soil and that leaves it tightly packed.?
Improper Tools
We cannot deny that professionals have the edge not just in terms of experience and expertise, but also in terms of having the right tools and equipment. While you may think that this does not affect the project, you are wrong. Wrong tools may result in an uneven surface and poor-quality project results. Take note that it can also cause hazards as plastic and wooden tools can snap without prior notice. It is crucial to choose tools and equipment that are durable; however, they can also be superbly expensive.?
Inadequate Safety Precautions
Construction workers abide by the safety protocols provided by the?Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).?If you are working with heavy equipment or hazardous tools, you need to take precautions, and this may not be easy if you do not have the expertise to use the tools as well as knowledge on how to prevent accidents while doing the project. It is important that you protect your eyes, skin, respiratory system, and ears when doing the concrete project.?
At the very least, you should have all the following safety gears:
- Long sleeves and pants
- Eye protection or safety glasses
- Face mask
- Gloves
- Workboots
- Earplugs
- Water and soap for washing any part of the body that has been exposed to the material
Inaccurate Water Volume
The most commonly done mistake by unprofessional happen when they now mix cement, water, and aggregates. If you are not familiar with the different ratios you need to follow, then it poses a concern on the quality of concrete you will be finishing. Wet concrete should be malleable and smooth and not chunky and runny. Take note that too much water potentially weakens the concrete as it dries.?
by secure_admin | Mar 1, 2021 | Concrete Services
Polished concrete might be the best option for your needs if you are searching for a cost-effective and appealing flooring option for your property. Polished concrete floors are aesthetically pleasing, extremely slip-resistant, require little-to-no maintenance, and durable. In addition to that, if you maintain it properly, it can last for a lot of years.
Unfortunately, just like any other materials out there, there are a couple of myths about polished concrete. That’s why people often avoid using them for their facility.
Here are a couple of myths about concrete floor polishing in Jacksonville that you should avoid:
Polished Concrete is More Prone to Cracking
All you’ve got to remember is that every single concrete floor will crack. It does not matter if it is untreated, coated, or polished. A concrete slab will crack as part of the process of curing. Over time, it will crack again. Polishing won’t change this factor of the nature of concrete. However, it might draw away attention from it.
The Stain Will Fade Away
You can use a stain or dye to color concrete before you polish it. This offers extra visual aesthetics. This coloring agent isn’t just a paint that stays on the floor’s surface. Instead, it will penetrate the concrete’s porous surface and deeply extends into the concrete. Therefore, the color does not chip off or fade away easily.
However, to ensure that this happens, you have to apply the dye before the surface is polished.
They Are Extremely Difficult to Maintain
The truth is that polished concrete floors are simpler to maintain compared to untreated concrete. The reason for this is that untreated concrete is known to shed specks of dust. On the other hand, a polished surface sheds a lot less. Also, you can easily clean polished concrete due to its smooth finish.
A lot of professionals recommend that you sweep your floors every week. When mopping, make sure you use a pH-neutral soap. Stains from liquids or oils might need a poultice to eliminate.
The shine of your floor might dull after several years because of constant foot traffic. However, you can make it look new again if you hire a professional to re-buff it.
They Are Hot During Summer and Cold During Winter
For concrete floors, fluctuations in temperatures are common. This is particularly true in garages, basements, and other areas that aren’t climate-controlled. For instance, the temperature of the floor will greatly vary if you plan to install polished concrete in your unheated warehouse.
However, in a retail space, factory, or lobby that is heated or air-conditioned, the floor won’t have a great impact on the temperature.
They’re Slippery
Polished concrete offers the same level of grip as untreated concrete, even though they look shiny. The truth is that polished concrete is less slippery compared to marble or tile.
The reason for this is that concrete is porous. Unfortunately, it can be hard to walk on polished concrete if it’s covered in dust or fine powder. Thus, you shouldn’t polish the concrete floor in areas that deal with dust.
by secure_admin | Feb 12, 2021 | Concrete Services
A home or property that has its driveway is impeccable. You will no longer experience trouble in accessing the highways and national roads. You have your driveways and, at the same a garage or parking lot for your vehicles. You can also transform your driveways into something profitable. If you are into business, you can have a garage sale in this area.?
Research shows that a property that has a driveway attracts potential buyers. The property owners will no longer wait for a long time to sell their properties. A well-established and well-installed driveway can also enhance the curb appeal of your house. It makes your guests with vehicles free from stress in coming to your abode.?
However, constructing your driveway alone without asking for help from an expert is not advisable. There are different things that they need to consider that include materials, types, and many more. With the service from the?concrete driveway in Lubbock Texas,?everything you need to have for your driveway is no longer a problem. Apart from that, constructing and establishing your driveway is not an issue since you are working with skilled, trained, and expert people.?
There are things that we need to do during the pre-installment of our driveways. We must consider the looks that we want, the budget that we have, the shape and dimension that suit our property, the laws and codes of our place, and the maintenance.?
One of the most crucial things to consider before installing our driveway is the types that we want to have. Do you have any idea what are the types of driveways??
Here are the types of driveways:
- The Aggregate.?If you want to have the cheapest type of driveway on your property, the aggregate driveway is best for you. This type of driveway is renowned for its affordability, durability, does not need high maintenance, eco-friendly, and you can do it yourself. But, this type of driveway will not give you a pleasant appearance, difficulties in removing snow accumulation, and rutting.
- The Paving Stone.?If you want to have the most expensive type of driveway, then this is the answer. Even though it is not affordable because of the stones you are about to use, it will give you an exquisite appearance. Having this type of driveway will make your house extra-beautiful because of its high aesthetic appeal. It is also durable and stable. However, this type of driveway is expensive, slippery, and prone to water runoff.
- The Asphalt.?This type of driveway is common to everyone because of its affordability. It is much affordable compared to stone and concrete. However, its lifespan is discouraging. It is not a perfect choice if you have cold weather. Moreover, the asphalt driveway is not maintenance-friendly and needs professional installation.
- The Concrete.?In terms of durability, flexibility, and versatility, this type of driveway has it all. It is mud-resistant and not slippery. When the winter season arrives, you will not experience hard times maintaining this part of your house. It may be quite expensive, but it is worthwhile. Also, it needs professional installers for the best result!
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