Nothing seems to generate mail like failed concrete surfaces. There are many myths out there about deicing salts and scaled or spalling concrete. People think that salts hurt concrete. Contractors hide behind this weak excuse when a driveway or sidewalk fails. The simple truth is that strong, properly placed and finished concrete can resist salts and freezing temperatures for many years.
Looking for companies that sell deicing salts and magnesium chloride? Look no further than your Yellow Pages ... and this article.
Are you getting ready to install a new concrete driveway, concrete sidewalk, or concrete patio and/or steps that may be exposed to freezing temperatures and deicing salts? If the job gets done right, your concrete will last longer than you!
Jello® and concrete - you both mix a solid with a liquid in order to get the final product, right? But while Jello® uses the coldness of the refrigerator to harden, concrete actually slows hardening in cold temperatures. This can be disastrous if you don't take the right precautions. Read about why this happens in the following column.
Working with concrete in the cold can be miserable, especially when you are working with concrete pouring. One mistake can mess up the entire concrete construction project! Here are a few tips to follow that tell you how to pour concrete in cold conditions.
Installing concrete in the cold, whether it is concrete flooring or other concrete forms, requires some tips and tricks in order to ensure it gains proper strength. The following is a checklist for you to follow when installing concrete in cold weather.
Oil spills or stains on your driveway? Don't panic - all you need is liquid soap and water! Even if your stain is more than 30 days old, using warm water can help lift the stain off. Make sure you don't use a wire brush, because that only harms your driveway surface. And while you may need to use a solvent to get rid of a stain on concrete, only use soap and water with asphalt.
Concrete is a unique material. It is hard, dense and durable yet it is highly susceptible to staining when it has a rough to semi-smooth finish. Most exterior concrete surfaces like driveways, sidewalks and driveway aprons need to have a somewhat rough surface for traction. Water, oil and other liquids can readily soak into concrete if it is not protected. Protect your surface with a clear sealer or liquid repellent.
When it comes to learning about concrete, there are two books that are must-haves, both from the Portland Cement Association. Looking for clear coating manufacturers? Many on the following list may not be familiar to you, because high quality clear coatings aren't usually sold at local hardware shops.
The following checklist contains 15 helpful pointers when using concrete to make a sidewalk, patio or driveway. Look at the control joint illustrations to see how they should be handled for residential driveways.
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