Concrete Repair

Concrete can look beautiful at first, but after a while it, like everything else, needs maintenance. You may think it’s not important enough to fix right away, but damaged concrete can look unpleasant and may even be unsafe.

What causes the damage?

Concrete can crack and degrade for a number of reasons. It may be because the concrete wasn’t mixed or placed properly initially. It could also be due to heavy loads or extreme weather temperatures. Trapped water can also make small cracks much bigger.

No matter what the damage, repair or restoration is extremely important as soon as possible. The damage can always get worse. Aside from the obvious safety problems, such as structure collapse, cracks floors or walls in places such as a kitchen or bathroom can be a breeding ground for bacteria.

What can be done?

Calling a professional is the first step to fixing the problem. A decorative concrete contractor can help you fix the trouble while ensuring your home or business still looks great. Depending on the level of damage, your contractor may suggest filling the cracks, replacing only the damaged area, or even replace the whole area.

Concrete repair and restoration when dealing with a damaged area should always be taken seriously. Even though it may seem costly and time-consuming, your contractor will always be honest with you about what needs to be done. And the most important thing of all is your safety, and the safety of those you love.

Concrete Staining Tip: The Concrete Color Wheel

When you are preparing to color your concrete, there are many coloring effects which can be used for concrete stain or acid stain. Each of these will produce a slightly different outcome, though the general color pattern will remain the same. As the customer it is important that you understand what few things will contribute to an overall variation in the color on your decorative concrete prior to beginning the concrete stain or acid stain process. If, for instance, you have a piece of decorative concrete and then a year later seek the same color and design on an adjacent piece of concrete, you should be made aware that there will be a slight color variation because of the age of the concrete and the time difference. Your concrete contractor can explain in better terms why your particular case might include a slight variation in color. However, the most prominent reasons for a variation in color are when the customer is not present while the color is being mixed. This can create a slightly darker or slightly lighter shade than the customer initially desired. Another major reason that a variation in color can appear is because more than one truck load is required. In this instance, there will be color variations between the two batches. Being aware of these things will help to alleviate or circumvent any possible disappointment with the overall product. No contractor or homeowner wants to be disappointed with the outcome of their colored concrete so remembering these natural and slight color variations is important for everyone.

Stamped Concrete and Solar Garden Lighting

 There are many styles and types of solar garden lighting fixtures for your stamped concrete overlay. It is important that you do not limit your search to other types of lighting because you simply think that you will not be able to find the kind that you want, or one which will match your décor. No matter what your landscape design might be, there are solar garden lighting styles for your stamped concrete overlay that can match any design. It is best to ensure that your solar garden lighting is placed alternatively around your yard to achieve the optimum lighting designs integrated with the types of plants you have or other features in your yard. By alternating your solar garden lighting for your stamped concrete overlay with your plants, garden features, or water features you can achieve a balanced look in your yard, expounding upon your appeal.

For instance, if you want to utilize solar garden lighting for your stamped concrete overlay along a footpath or from a driveway to a front porch or stairway, it is best to alternate the lights on each side of the path instead of placing them opposite one another on each side. This offers a more aesthetically pleasing design and increases your curb appeal. Your solar garden lighting fixtures should be spread at least six inches to one foot apart from one another. You can take preparatory measures by measuring the area wherein you want to place the solar garden lighting for your stamped concrete overlay and then calculate how many lights you need given those space requirements. Generally, decorative solar garden lighting fixtures for your stamped concrete overlay are sold in even sets.

Decorative Concrete: Limitless Creativity

Using a decorative concrete contractor and a concrete company means that you can utilize great new processes such as stained concrete to create unique, durable, and beautiful finishes for any existing concrete surface inside or outside of your home. Any professional decorative concrete contractor and concrete company can explain how stained concrete is a new fad. What might otherwise be seen as boring grey concrete looks like an exciting empty canvass upon which a wonderful and unique color can be applied. There are literally no limits for the potential designs that stained concrete has to offer which is why it has become the best choice for modern designers, residential owners, building professionals, commercial owners, and decorative concrete contractors. If you have concrete on the exterior of your home then you can use either a reactive stain or an acrylic based stain. Each of these options provides a fabulously unique color to complement the exterior of your home. For any decorative concrete finishes, you need to take the necessary steps to plan. If you do not have existing concrete and would like to pour new concrete, your decorative concrete contractor can help to establish where this should take place and how much will be needed. It is important to remember that the great thing about stained concrete is that you can create different hues or designs to different sections of an entire slab on concrete, saving you time and money in the process. You can establish design boundaries that indicate where one section of the concrete is designated as a pool deck, and another is designated as a patio.