Ask the Builder Podcast 3 Highlights: Vic has a gorgeous patio on the back of his house. (photo below) One part has sunken down. I've got the fix. Tracey is installing a new staircase and wants to know if traditional stair parts are available. Paint peels constantly from Sandy's brick home. She wants to know […]
Cracked Concrete Carport & Rubbing Door I’m blessed to have you as a reader and furthermore, I’m fortunate to get about 10,000 visitors a day to my AsktheBuilder.com website. Your questions are the fuel that keep this column vibrant and hopefully interesting! If you’ve got a question, then by all means visit the website and […]
Efflorescence Damage Concrete - Not Usually a Problem Efflorescence is a white powder created when saltwater evaporates from a masonry surface like concrete. It's a very common problem in cold climates on garage floors. Rarely will it cause a problem inside of your garage. The first thing to remember is cars carry in snow and […]
Salt Damage to Concrete - Don't Blame the Salt Salt is often blamed for damaging concrete. The top surface of concrete sidewalks, driveways and patios may spall or scale off after you broadcast salt on it to melt snow and ice. The salt is indirectly responsible only because it helps promote more freeze and thaw […]
Concrete Drive vs Pavers TIPS Both materials are great Installation methods are critical for long life Pavers fade over time Install steel in poured concrete CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: We'd like to replace our driveway. My wife and are debating whether to replace the concrete driveway with another […]
Concrete Stain DIY TIPS Multiple ways to change the color of existing concrete Stains work best on steel-troweled smoother concrete and require diligence Best DIY method is easy-to-use concrete resurfacer products - add pigment for color Stenciling concrete with the resurfacers produces the most dramatic look CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! […]
Concrete Steps Leaking TIPS Concrete is not waterproof - common misconception Water can enter tiny hairline cracks Special concrete epoxy stops water WATCH concrete epoxy video below CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: I live on the upper floor of a converted villa. The access is by a stairway at […]
Concrete Finish Options TIPS Communicate clearly what you want in the first place to avoid nightmare Stamped concrete is dramatic - can be slippery around pools Stenciled concrete is unbelievable. Not as hard to do as stamped Too much curing compound can cause splotchy white haze CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! […]
Oil stain removal if tried immediately can produce great results. Older stain removal may not be as successful. Concrete stains from oil are no exception. Use a good nylon bristle brush and liquid soap. Don't just rinse but soak up the oil/soap mix. Solvent use may be necessary but be careful. These solvents are very dangerous.
Slabjacking can be the answer to a more costly replacement of a concrete slab. Holes are drilled into the concrete and a mixture of sand, cement, fly ash and other additives is pumped in. Some slabjacking companies will use a closed-cell hydro-insensitive polyurethane to lift the tilted slabs. Concrete slab jacking floats the slab back in place with very little disruption to landscaping. You don't even have to remove heavy items from the slab.
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