|
|
home /
home
library /
exterior projects /
concrete flatwork
Concrete Flatwork
Concrete is a strong hard building material
composed of sand, gravel, cement and water. Typically it
is used for walkways, steps, basement and garage surfaces,
patios and porches. It is used for so many purposes because
concrete is one of the most durable of building materials.
However, it does still require a certain amount of maintenance.
Problems with concrete can be caused by
several factors. Nature is the major contributor to damaged
concrete. Surface flaking occurs when snow and ice melt
and the water gets absorbed into the concrete. Concrete
can also be damaged from oils, salts, grease, poor mixture,
sunlight, and structural problems.
Common repairs made to concrete pavement
projects include fixing cracks, filling holes, sealing a
surface, replacing a structure, rebar a surface, resurfacing,
fixing damaged colors and removing stains. Anyone with a
little guidance and direction can handle these jobs.
Concrete Repairs
-
Stains caused from oils, grease, and
salts can be removed using a power washer and a scrubber.
It is a good idea to seal your concrete to prevent stains
from forming.
-
Small cracks should be filled immediately
to protect against future damages. Chips can occur on
the edges of concrete as well. Small chips can usually
be repaired. Concrete repair kits are available for
homeowners that plan to make repairs themselves.
-
Concrete that is damaged on the surface
but is structurally sound can be repaired by resurfacing.
Resurfacing is pouring a thin layer of sand-mix concrete
over the existing concrete.
-
Concrete that is mixed poorly or installed
during cold weather often begins to flake at some point.
Sometimes the surface can be repaired, but if the damage
runs too deep you may need to replace the entire structure.
-
The most expensive repairs are related
to settling. Concrete is not flexible enough to handle
large shifts in the ground. When this occurs, repairs
are extremely difficult to make.
-
Discoloration requires you to blend
a mixture of concrete colors to try and achieve a matching
sample to make repairs with. Often times the color will
not match up perfectly. A patch will be lighter-colored
than the old concrete. One way to hide the patch is
to stain the entire surface to blend the old with the
new. But you'll have to renew the stain periodically.
-
If your concrete structure appears
to be weak, you may need to install steel rebar to create
more durability.
-
Depending on where your concrete is
located, you will need to add a finish to it. Interior
finishes are typically smooth and shiny. Concrete located
outside should be given a textured finished to prevent
slips and falls.
|
