It’s so important to stay behind maintenance repairs so that the condition doesn’t deteriorate further. A surface crack across a concrete driveway or patio may not seem like a big deal, but if left unrepaired over time it can become wider, deeper, and become chipped. Why Does Concrete Crack? Concrete can crack from various […]
Tools Can Damage Concrete Surfaces
Several years ago, I was talking with an owner/contractor of a decorative stamped concrete company (lets call him Joe) about a callback he had regarding a concrete walk he installed for a homeowner. The following spring after the installation he received a call from the homeowner complaining that the stamped concrete walk did not stand […]
Cleaning Mildew & Algae on Outdoor Walking Surfaces
Mildew and algae can grow on both horizontal and vertical exterior surfaces. They can grow so slowly that you may not be aware of their presence until they become very visible by discoloring the surface, or when a walking surface becomes slippery, especially when the surface is wet. Mildew is typically black or gray […]
Gravel Base: Driveways, Walks, Patios
Are you going to be installing any type of pavement in your yard, such as a paver driveway, patio, or walk? Even if you will be hiring a contractor to install concrete or asphalt, or a skilled mason for a mortared pavement, you’ll find it beneficial to have an understanding of the importance of a […]
Deicing Salts and Concrete
When snow and ice start to accumulate on your driveway and walks, typically for most homeowners, providing safe walking surfaces is the primary concern. Perhaps the next concern would be to have the ability to operate your vehicles so that they are not sliding around on the driveway, or getting stuck at the bottom of […]
The Basics for Designing Outdoor Steps
Building correctly proportional steps is necessary for safety. Front porch steps, deck steps, or an outdoor stair way, all need to be designed for safe use. If you have a project coming up that will involve building a set of steps, there are important issues to understand. We rely on steps to be comfortable to […]