Advice on Getting a Concrete Driveway Repaired

Home owners with concrete driveways rarely require having these repaired, if they are well maintained. However there is an assortment of reasons why repair might be necessary to a concrete driveway. The weather is the primary reason why concrete tends to undergo stress and thereby break down over time. The repair work required may be minimal, but many times there are conditions which require the concrete structure to be torn up and completely replaced.

Minor concrete driveway repairs

Small cracks or chipping of the concrete surface is the most common complaint home owners have when it comes to repairs to concrete driveways. These should be immediately dealt with when seen to occur. If small cracks and chips on the surface of the concrete are left un-repaired, these could develop into larger problems which may require major work to be carried out. Minor repair jobs require simply cementing in the affected area or applying other bonding agents that are available at most hardware stores.

Cracks and chipping of the concrete surface occur due to expansion and contraction of concrete caused by changes in weather through seasons. Heat causes concrete to expand and cold causes the concrete to contract. If there is rapid heating and cooling, such as on autumn days and nights, the stress on the concrete may cause minor cracks to appear or for small areas of the concrete surface to chip away.

Major concrete driveway repairs

Small cracks when left un-repaired usually develop into large cracks that go deep into the concrete. These kinds of cracks require major repair work to be carried out. The other most common reasons a concrete driveway will require major repair would include buckling of the concrete. Concrete buckles when the soil beneath the concrete surface sinks. This is caused due to water freezing under the concrete during winter which causes the concrete to rise up or bulge. During the summer, the water under the concrete may cause the soil to sink, which would cause the concrete to form a slight trough. This kind of trough will crack the concrete from within and cause its strength to diminish. Over a few seasons, such buckling will shatter the concrete and cause small areas of the concrete to form bowls.

The best solution in conditions such as this is to rip away the old concrete and prepare the ground surface again, preferably with reinforcement like small concrete piles. Following this, the driveway may be poured and allowed to set.

Hiring a contractor

Depending on the severity of the problem, a home owner would require to hire a contractor to do a professional job. To go about hiring a contractor, call the contractor who first installed the driveway if possible. If this is not possible, ask around for references, or call the local directory services for a list of contractors within the area. Call these and speak to them about the problem and get quotes and job references. Always check with the references. Select a contractor with enough experience at a reasonable cost.

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Resurfacing Your Concrete Driveway

It's not unusual to look down at your concrete driveway and find yourself filled with horror at the amount of cracks that have appeared in a once pristine entrance to your abode.

The good news is that this can be repaired, although for a long time your only option would have been to replace the entire driveway.

Concrete resurfacing as it is known can be done by anyone willing to put in the time and effort.

Resurfacing the concrete will save you at least 25% of your costs to replace the whole drive, which is certainly a better prospect especially if you are short on cash.

Cracks in the slabs are one of the most common problems and leave the surface of the concrete unsightly and can become a real eye-sore. They can also become a health hazard, with the risk of a family member tripping, if left unchecked.

The first thing to do is get your gear or tools together for the job. Like all DIY jobs, if you have the proper tools for the job then you are going to find things a whole lot easier. Next step, remove any lose pieces in the concrete and use a power hose on any loose debris and dust. It is very important that the surface is as clean as possible before applying a new layer.

Next, put on a layer of concrete and use your trowel to smooth out any spots that aren't level. Then before the first coat dries you should add a second coat.

Finally, skim over the entire area and fill in spots that may have been missed along the way. You can also apply a clear sealer at this point for a professional finish. The idea is to give the concrete a really smooth top and keep it spotlessly clean.

These steps are of course just an outline on how to resurface your concrete drive. Any job should be researched thoroughly with precise instructions being followed. Maybe your like me and hardly able to hammer a nail into wood. If that is the case better to hire the professionals. There are plenty of good concrete resurfacing service available.

You don't want your resurfaced driveway looking like it has been hit by a scud missile.

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Driveway Paving Options - Pave the Way With Decorative Concrete

Today's homeowners are seeking more creative and decorative ways to pave their driveways. Dressing up your driveway with colorful concrete paving options will enhance the look of your entire home.

Decorative concrete comes in a variety of colors, textures and patterns. Natural pavers, such as cobblestones and brick, are also popular. A poured driveway is durable and is easy to clear of snow. Adding color and texture only adds a few dollars per square foot.

Following are decorative concrete options:

Integrally colored concrete. With this, color is added to ready-mix concrete to provide tinting throughout the slab. Since the pigment may fade over time, it's important to apply a sealer to protect from weather, water and stains.



Stamped concrete. This involves making imprints in wet concrete to create the outline and texture of brick, cobblestone, or other natural paving.



Concrete scoring. With concrete scoring, shallow cuts are made in the concrete to give it the appearance of tile grout lines, or to create geometric designs and patterns.



Concrete pavers. These are interlocking pieces of pigmented concrete. It is made to look like clay brick. Use a color sealant to protect against color fading.



Exposed aggregate. Exposed aggregate involves pouring concrete then brushing or washing off the top layer of cement. This method exposes a rugged, non-slip surface. Various colors can be obtained. A sealer should be applied.



Chemical staining. Chemical staining is a popular design trend seen on the floors of restaurants and stores, and also on driveways. Chemical staining involves special stains that react chemically with the lime in itto etch and bond color into the surface. This process can be used on new or existing concrete surfaces.

If considering decorative concrete, find a contractor that is trained and outfitted for pattern stamping and tinting exterior surfaces. Check the home improvement sections of newspapers or magazines, or your local phone book for potential contractors.

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How To Update Your Driveway or Sidewalk

Learn How Easy It Is Update Your Driveway or Sidewalk or Patio with a Decorative Concrete Overlay

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Unique Concrete Rust Removal - Organic Ways Yourself When Cleaning Rust From the Driveway

Organic concrete rust removal could never beat out acid methods... or could it? You would be fairly surprised at the raw materials from the earth, as pure as they are, in fact are very powerful rust cleaners.

In most cases you will notice that rust has been on your driveway and sidewalks for ever. The problem comes up that the cement is in fact... a hard surface and next to plant life. While most rust removers will just tear apart your sidewalk and driveway, you could go a bit softer. How do you softer when with concrete rust removal. Simple, go organic and do less work and not kill any of your plants.

Concrete rust removal usually involves some harsh acids and pretty nasty chemicals. This is not the case anymore, in fact new natural cleaning product manufacturers are developing ways to get rid of rust from the cement by neutralizing it.

They now have specific products that are being used in the skyscrapers in New York city and also the bridges. Once the population heard there was a easier way to remove rust without even having to wipe it or scrub it away, the organic concrete rust removers are now in many commercial businesses.

So how do you not get burned and how do you actually neutralize rust so you do not have to wipe or scrub it?

This is in the chemistry of a product. While older products used acid to neutralize, we now have newer and pure raw materials that work extremely well.

These raw materials are combined and form an organic solution that you can use indoors and outdoors. No worry about burning your hand off. These organic concrete rust removers are really a force to be reckon with.

So what is the secret formula?

Well while most of it is proprietary, there is some evidence that kelp is being used which is a sea weed type plant and also citrus oils from the earth. The earth products some very powerful ingredients that are non-toxic and safe to use. Once the chemist department find that out, they begin placing these amazing ingredients into action.

The challenge is making sure these ingredients are pure and organic. With many organic concrete rust removers, the raw materials are very pure high quality grade. They do not use solvent based material and this is in fact why they are better performing rust removers from lab tests.

If you looking for a safe way to remove rust from concrete or any other surface for that matter, it is recommended to go and start looking into developing or using your own organic rust remover. It is a process to get the right mixture of raw materials, but when found the results are amazing. For instance for Rusterizer which is an organic concrete rust remover. The product will neutralize rust within in 3 seconds or 3 sprays guaranteed which ever comes first. This is one of many rust removers, while organic products are not as commonly available. Be sure to research and try to get your hands on the safe concrete rust removers. These products have pure raw materials formulated within them and are safe to use around children and pets. Also, they are very powerful to use outside.

The problem many rust projects have is that the product is just to dangerous to use. Let us be honest who the heck wants to play with muriatic acid?

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How to Seal a Concrete Driveway

Sealing a concrete driveway is a simple, inexpensive and fast way to maintain the value of a home. Your concrete driveway is one of the first things people see when they drive up to your home. That is why it is a good idea to keep the concrete driveway looking as good as the day it was installed. Sealing the concrete driveway with a penetrating siloxane concrete sealer will give years of protection to the driveway. Another name for them is siloxane water repellent.

How Concrete Driveways Deteriorate

Water that penetrates and expands from freezing does most of the damage to concrete driveways. That is because the water expands 9% in volume when it freezes. This expansion can physically break the concrete bonds and cause it to flake, pit, spall and crack. Sealing the concrete reduces the amount of water absorption.

De-icing salts do damage to the concrete also. The salts attack the surface layer of concrete and the steel reinforcement inside the concrete. When de-icing salts are applied, the melted water can enter the concrete and then refreeze as the temperature drops.

Sealing the concrete with a penetrating siloxane sealer, also called a siloxane water repellent will reduce water and salt uptake and the number of freeze-thaw cycles the concrete goes through.

Penetrating Concrete Sealers

Concrete driveways are high traffic areas, with cars entering and leaving and kids using them for basketball courts. That is why your concrete driveway needs to have a penetrating sealer as opposed to a surface sealer.

A surface sealer is just that, it is applied to the surface and does not penetrate. The surface sealer will wear away rapidly from use. Every time a car pulls in or someone bounces a ball on it, a little bit of the sealer is removed. Some surface sealers can make the driveway slick and dangerous when it rains because the rough texture is covered up.

On the other hand, a siloxane sealer penetrates below the concrete surface. Siloxane sealers form a hydrophobic barrier against water and de-icing salt attack. They are commonly called siloxane water repellents. Because they are below the surface, they are protected from wear on the surface of the concrete. The natural texture of the concrete is maintained so traction and safety are not a concern. Finally, because the concrete sealer is below the surface, there is no shininess or gloss to the concrete.

Step 1. Let the Concrete Cure

Freshly poured concrete cannot be sealed. It must cure for 21-30 days prior to application of a penetrating sealer.

Step 2. Clean the Driveway

Broom off any loose debris such as dirt, mud and leaves off of the driveway. If there are any oil or grease stains, these should be removed to the best of your ability with a pressure washer.

Step 3. Allow the Concrete to Dry

Water-based siloxane sealers need to have the concrete dry for 24 hours prior to application. No rain should fall within this 24 hour time period. This will reduce the dilution of the siloxane sealer and ensure that the maximum amount gets into the concrete substrate itself.

Step 4. Spray, Roll or Brush on the Sealer

It doesn't really matter which method of application is used, but of course a roller is faster than a brush and a pump up garden sprayer is faster than a roller. No other special equipment is needed. You do not need to worry about getting it onto plants or grass. If any gets onto metal or windows, wash it off immediately with soapy water and a sponge.

Apply only enough concrete sealer that a slight whitish color is seen. Any ponding of material should be spread evenly prior to drying.

Step 5. Keep Rain and Traffic off of it for 24 hours

The sealer will dry in 1-4 hours but it is a good idea to keep cars and traffic off of the driveway for 24 hours. Application should occur when rain is not in the forecast for 24 hours after application to give the sealer plenty of time to penetrate and seal.

Once cured the siloxane sealer becomes a bonded component of the concrete driveway. A properly sealed concrete driveway will give years of protection from damage. The return on investment will be worth the time and expense of application.

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