Steel in Concrete Question #1: Tim, my builder is telling me to forget about using reinforcing steel or mesh is my concrete driveway and patio. He says he’ll just add an inch of thickness and that’s good enough. What’s your feeling? Would you go to the effort and expense to install reinforcing steel in outdoor Read More »
Concrete Rebar Concrete Rebar Installation Is Easy Concrete Mesh Videos:
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 Read More »
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 Read More »
Long lasting concrete is very easy to make. The best part is it's not that expensive to do. Long Lasting Concrete Examples All Around There's a great chance that within fifty miles of your home there's long lasting concrete that's close to one hundred years old. I'll bet it's in great shape. All you need Read More »
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 Read More »
Install Anchor in Concrete With Epoxy and Magic When you install anchor (s) in concrete or concrete block, you want it to stay put. The best method in my opinion is to create a wedge-shaped hole in the concrete using a hammer drill. The hole will be wider deep in the concrete than the smaller Read More »
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! Read More »
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 Read More »
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! Read More »
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