When you have a grand plan for your backyard oasis, you may find that the size or placement of your existing patio isn’t adequate for your needs. Whether you need to expand the patio or have one poured elsewhere on the property, we’re happy to help.
Did you know that adding outside landscaping can add as much as 14% to the resale value of your home? This is due because its one of the first things people see when looking to buy a house, the curb appeal.
The shrink-swell cycle of an expansive soil can produce marble-sized pellets, giving the ground a popcorn-like texture. Sometimes cracks in very dry soil can appear large enough on the surface to mimic earth fissures, but they do not run as long or as deep.
If you will be installing radiant heat in the new concrete floor, the slab must be insulated; if not, the system will not provide the heat expected and the project may have to be abandoned or torn out and a new slab poured.
About the same time the Egyptians were using cement on the pyramids (3000 B.C.), the Chinese were using it to hold bamboo together in boats and as a mortar holding together much of the Great Wall.
Are you worried about maintenance taking up a lot of time and budget once your construction is finished? Fortunately, you won’t have to worry as much with concrete. Concrete is inert, compacted, and non-porous, which means that it needs very little maintenance.
Did you know that flowable fill is self-leveling? This means it needs little to no spreading or compacting, and can simply be place via chute, conveyor pump, or bucket.
Did you know that concrete blocks (called concrete masonry units, or CMUs) offer distinct advantages over brick and stone masonry? Primarily, they offer a practical and flexible design that can be used to build almost any type of house feature imaginable.
The great pyramids of Egypt have calcined gypsum cementing the great stones together. The Greek Parthenon and the Roman Coliseum used lime, sand and coarser stones for concrete.
In concrete construction, the curing process begins after the exposed surfaces of the concrete have hardened sufficiently, so that they are resistant to marring. Curing ensures the continued hydration of the cement, which enables the concrete to gain strength.
Some foundations have been known to sink. This issue can lead to a number of unwanted consequences such as doors and windows that will not properly shut or open. For solutions, have an inspection by the pros.
The heart of any structure has to be its foundation. After all, it is this component that defines how strong, stable and resilient to damage the building will be when subjected to potentially destructive natural and man-made events.
Driveways should have a slope of a quarter inch per foot of asphalt. This slope will help the asphalt drain water off of the surface. If you notice puddles forming on your driveway, talking with an expert will help you avoid costly repairs.
Concrete is known for having great durability, even under exceptionally rough conditions. For example, the Eddystone Lighthouse in Devon, England was built in the mid-1700s. When it was torn down a century later, the rocks underneath it had eroded, but not the concrete.
Did you know that the production of concrete blocks and other building materials offers a relatively low emission of CO2 compared to other types of construction materials?
Can you name the five most common building materials in use today? We'll give you a hint: Concrete is used the most. Here are the other four in no particular order: steel, wood, aluminum and plastic.
Why are concrete blocks a preferred construction material for retaining walls, walkways and exterior support walls? Because concrete blocks will not rust or rot when exposed to moisture and concrete blocks are impervious to pests like termites.
While it certainly seems counterintuitive, did you know that concrete was once used to make ships? Known as ferrocement ships, these vessels came into existence due to the shortage of steel during the tow World Wars.
The word concrete has a Latin origin which makes the likelihood that concrete may go back as far as the Roman times. Some structures still stand today in the Mediterranean, which they are great examples of the strength of concrete.
The first concrete road in the U.S. was laid by George Bartholomew in 1891. It was placed in Belefontaine, Ohio, and still survives today as a test to the strength and durability of concrete.
Pre-cast concrete is resistant to outside elements. Whether it is boiling hot or absolutely freezing outside, the concrete will hold, not crumbling to the temperatures. It also prevents the outside temperatures from making it inside.
What country currently uses the greatest volume of fresh concrete for new construction? If you guessed China, you're right. Economic growth encourages building, which requires lots and lots of cement and concrete.
Building codes today require many requirements, not the least of which is minimum reinforcement. Today, welded wire mesh is created weaving steel bars and steel mesh together to reinforce foundations.
Precast concrete pump houses make it easy to protect the vital pump works and pipes of a system. These are made as a single piece with cutouts for the pipes to come up into them. They can be made in a variety of sizes and finishes to fit different situations.
Did you know that concrete retaining walls and exterior building construction walls can be painted? Concrete blocks and walls can either be colored or painted once they are constructed – depending on the type of concrete used.
There are many methods of transporting concrete to a worksite, including pumping transports. Pumps come in several different types, including a horizontal piston pump with semirotary valves and small portable pumps called squeeze pumps.
Did you know that concrete is used twice as much as any other modern-day construction building material? This is astounding when you take into account all of the wood and wooden beams, bricks, steel beams bars and sheets, glass, stone, foam, and plastic also in use.
If you have problems with pests in your landscape, concrete can be an excellent solution. It is termite, mold and mildew resistant, and does not attract small mammals like some wood finishing products can. Concrete is also fireproof and durable.
