Why Stamped Concrete is the Best Choice for Outdoor Enhancements

A remodeling project can be very expensive, especially if you want major changes to happen. There is a way to get as much impact at a more affordable cost. Stamped concrete is a type of decorative concrete application that enhances the look of any outdoor concrete surface, such as the patio, pool deck, driveway, walkway, and more. It is affordable yet it yields aesthetics that truly look high-end and expensive. If you are planning an outdoor enhancement project, here notable reasons why stamped concrete is the best choice out there.

• It Looks Great!

It is stunning. With the wide range of patterns and textures available, there is no limit to how gorgeous a stamped surface can get. One popular feature of stamping is that concrete surfaces can be made to look like real stone, brick, wood, and other more high-end paving and flooring materials. A flagstone pattern, for example, can be made more realistic with the addition of concrete stain colors. Installers often customize the coloring process to make it look more natural.

• It is Strong and Durable

Concrete is as durable as time itself. It can handle heavy weight and high foot traffic. As long as it is properly installed, it is resistant to changes in weather and temperature. It is highly recommended to have the stamped surface finished with a concrete sealer to enhance its durability. The sealer will also seal off concrete pores where mold and mildew could grow from.

• It is Super Versatile

Concrete, by nature, is a very versatile material. Being able to acquire patterns through stamping is actually another way it proves its versatility. Another way it is versatile is how easily repairable minor damages are. Cracks can easily be filled and holes can be filled. After that, an overlay can be installed and stamped with your desired pattern.

• It Requires Minimal Care

A stamped surface is one gapless surface so dirt, weed, mold, or bugs won’t be able to make homes out of gaps or divisions. If properly sealed, dirt and moisture stays at the surface and will not penetrate the slab. You also won’t need special cleaning products or routines for it. Daily basic cleaning and occasional power washing are enough to keep it in good shape for years to come.

When you choose to go with stamped concrete, there is nothing to regret. Just make sure that you hire a contractor who is highly trained and experienced in stamped concrete projects.

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4 Must-Have Concrete Patio Cleaning Tools

A concrete patio, whether covered or not, is prone to dirt, dust, and even mold and mildew. There is not a single material out there that is entirely maintenance free. Maybe some may require only minimal cleaning than others. Regardless of what the finish of your concrete patio is, make sure you have the following cleaning tools within reach:

• Pressure Washer

Also called a power washer, this is a very efficient tool for cleaning the patio. Depending on the type of pressure nozzle, the strength of the water that shoots out can remove tough and stubborn dirt, mud, algae, moss, and more. Just make sure not to concentrate the stream of water in one spot for a long time to keep the pressure from damaging the concrete itself. It is important to wear safety goggles to keep flying debris from entering your eyes.

• Brushes

Have different types of brushes ready at your disposal. Soft brushes are great for rubbing paste-type cleaners on stains or stubborn dirt. Stiffer brushes are great for tougher dirt and stains. But use stiff brushes with caution. It could damage the material or any finish it has on top of it.

• Spray Bottle

This is especially helpful for use in any type of cleaning, be it outdoors or indoors. Put some of your reliable cleaning solution in the spray bottle for easy spritzing and cleanup. Designate a different spray bottle for each cleaner that you use. Not only will this keep different cleaners from mixing, it is also a lot more convenient.

• Broom

Regular sweeping is enough to remove dirt and debris from the concrete patio. Choose one that is stiff enough to remove dirt even in crevices, cuts, gaps, or joints but soft enough to not scratch the surface of the concrete patio.

These are just the essential cleaning tools that you must readily have in your home. Keep all patio cleaning tools in a box or cabinet in the garage or shed to make it easy to access when needed. Schedule a regular cleanup every weekend or whenever it is most convenient for you. The sooner you remove dirt, debris, and stains on the concrete patio, the easier it will be to clean. If you plan to use commercial cleaners with chemical content, consult a pro to make sure that it would not be harmful to the concrete or any finish or coating installed on it.

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Concrete Driveway: What to Watch Out for When Buying a New Home

You’ve probably heard stories about people buying what they thought was their dream home only to live a nightmare. The concrete driveway, for example, may look divine as the real estate agent walks you through the entire home, highlighting its good points and commanding you to imagine your future in it. Before you give in to the flowery words and the illusion of a good drive you will have on that concrete driveway, watch out for the following red flags:

• Sunken Slabs

Pay great attention to the concrete driveway. If you see some sunken areas or the slab shifted slightly upwards, there is an underlying issue, for sure. Sinking slabs often indicate a weak or moving subgrade or probably swelling soils. The issue may have started from way back when a contractor did not compact the subgrade well enough to make it stable. If you want to see how level a concrete driveway is, ask to pour some water on it and see where the water goes to puddle.

• Huge Cracks

Make sure to ask about any crack that you see. During a visit, there is no way you could tell if it is a working crack or not. If it is, it would be a big problem once you choose to purchase the property. If possible, have a concrete expert accompany you during a visit. This way, they would be able to advise you whether it is repairable or not.

• The Driveway is Higher than the Road

Contractors make sure that a driveway transitions smoothly to the road. However, if you notice that the entire driveway is higher than the main road, make sure to check it out. Either the contractor did not make the right measurements or the pavement has been coated too many times already.

• Spalling or Scaling Surface

These are often caused by freeze-thaw damage. Concrete is a porous material so it often absorbs water. The water could freeze and thaw repetitively during very cold weather, causing it to expand and compress repetitively as well. This causes the concrete to be weak and brittle. Although this often only occurs on the top layer, still be cautious. There is a possibility that it is brittle past the top layer.

• Newly Painted Driveway

Sellers would do anything to sell their house. A splash of new paint on a driveway is quite suspicious because it could be there to hide something. Even if it isn’t there to hide something, chipping and peeling paint could be one of your problems in the future.

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3 Popular Types of Pool Deck Repair Options

Damage on a concrete pool deck is definitely a turn-off. You can’t keep everyone in the pool just so they won’t notice how worn out the deck is. Fortunately, there are reliable pool deck repair options that can fix surface damage. As long as the slab is still in good, working condition, it can be repaired. Before hiring someone to repair the deck, it is crucial to have it assessed first. The root cause of the damage will help determine what type of repair is most appropriate. If the damage is too deep, a replacement is highly recommended. But if the damage is repairable, then here are the most common options you could choose from:

Concrete Pool Deck Resurfacing

For decks with cracking, spalling, and scaling, resurfacing is an effective solution. A concrete overlay or coating can be installed on top of the worn out deck to cover up any signs of crack filling and any other blemishes that make the surface unsightly. The great thing about resurfacing is that it restores the existing pool deck while improving its form and function. The most popular resurfacing methods for pool decks are concrete stamping and spray knockdown texture. Both of these overlays provide slip-resistance that makes the deck a lot safer to walk on even when wet.

Concrete Refinishing

Refinishing is highly recommended for pool decks that have superficial issues, such as ugly stains and discolored areas. Discoloration is often caused by the weather changes the deck is exposed to daily. Pool chemicals can also discolor the pool deck. The most common solution is concrete staining. There are many other coloring options available but stains are the most reliable. Acid and water-based stains penetrate deep into the slab, making it difficult for the color to fade away, flake, or chip off. This can be done directly on a sound slab and it can also be used as an additional customizing process to a resurfaced pool deck.

Engraving and Scoring

Working cracks are cracks that recur regardless of how efficient the filling agent is. Such cracks are often caused by moving subgrade or water underneath the slab. No amount of filling could put an end to the reappearance of cracks. The best way to work around this is to disguise the cracks through custom engraving or scoring. It makes the crack look like it is part of the deck’s design while giving it enough room to move without creating new cracks.

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5 Home Upgrades that ONLY Pros Should Handle

The DIY movement has become popular enough to encourage people to roll up their sleeves and do stuff by themselves. Yes, it can be very cost-efficient but, without enough knowledge or training, it can be an expensive disaster, especially when it comes to home improvement projects. Here are 5 home upgrades that you should just leave to the experts:

Floor Resurfacing

Upgrading your floors is not like painting a wall. Because it endures more use and abuse, it requires a material and application that will be durable enough. For example, stamped concrete is trending highly in the decorative concrete industry. You need tools and equipment that specialize in prepping the old concrete, the skill to stamp concrete with patterns, and then staining or sealing the surface. Even pavers are quite tricky. The preparation of the ground underneath isn’t something you can just learn from a few minutes of watching or reading a tutorial.

Plumbing and Electrical Work

Plumbing can be a challenge because you want to make sure that you don’t cause any floods or waste an immense amount of water. You also need to know how the water lines run to prevent any risk of affecting another pipe in the process of a repair. Electrical work, well, this is definitely a no-no for a DIY because it can be quite risky and complex. Hiring a pro will give you the assurance that everyone is kept safe and that repairs on the wires or outlets are done properly and according to the state’s building code.

Tile Installation

Although a lot of DIY enthusiasts have successfully installed bathroom and kitchen tiles themselves, it is highly recommended for newbies to hire a professional tile installer. Ceramic tiles are very fragile and it needs to be laid evenly on walls or floors to prevent having to tear them out and redoing them with a new batch of tiles. Any small dip can become an area where water accumulates. Tiling involves a lot of planning, preparation, and careful installation. Just let a pro handle it to prevent any stress on your part.

Carpet Removal

If you are tired of your old carpet and want a different floor surface instead, get someone to remove it for you. Pulling the carpet out can be quite messy and detrimental to your health with all the dust and dirt that may have accumulated underneath. Also, the floor underneath may not be in the best condition to replace your carpet as a walking surface. It might need to be pressure washed, resurfaced, or completely re-poured.

Roof Repair

The fact that it is a repair done way up from the ground is enough reason to leave it to the experts. There have been several cases of people falling from the roof during a minor or major repair. You don’t want to risk that, do you? So forget about doing it yourself and hire a pro that specializes in roof repairs. Also, roof repairs are quite complex especially if it involves a very specific type of roofing material. You might also have to check and fix the ceiling or any insulation underneath it.

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