Maintaining Concrete Surfaces in Large Office Parks and Private Buildings

Concrete office building with large gathering area

When it comes to industrial parks, large offices, and retail establishments, there is no material more popular than concrete. Concrete is everywhere in these places, as it is a structurally sound, secure, trustworthy, and aesthetically pleasing material for large buildings.

Like all materials, however, it’s imperative that concrete gets properly taken care of; if it doesn’t, a whole string of issues can arise. And in a large building such as an industrial park, big office space, or retail establishment, this is especially true.

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How to Successfully Build and Install a Concrete Counter Top

As an adventurous type, you’re the type of individual who’s excited to learn new things and take on new challenges.  You’re pretty handy on your own, so you’ve decided to take on the task of building and installing a concrete counter top.  Not only will it be fun for you, but your spouse will appreciate the new addition to your house.

 Here are the Steps to Install a Concrete Countertop

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Home Concrete Staining Basics

concrete staining Many homes have large, unfinished basements and enclosed garages with standard concrete floors. Design trends have been incorporating fixing up existing concrete with acid stains, rather than trying to hide the floor with carpet or wood.

Basics of Acid Concrete Staining

Stained concrete floors are found in stores, restaurants, homes, patios, hotels, among other places, and is highly cost-effective. Continue reading

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How to Permanently Repair Spalling and Cracked Concrete

How to repair spalling concrete by fixing broken and cracked concrete surfaces If your concrete has small pits that collect puddles and seems to be cracking and crumbling, then the mixture used to create the concrete mix contained too much water.  “Spalling” is the professional term used to describe this event.

 How do You Fix Spalling Concrete?
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How to Repair Your Concrete Driveway

driveway crack repair A crack in your concrete driveway can be returned to like-new quality With the right tools. Weather and other natural elements can harm your concrete driveway surface and heavy vehicles and ground water can erode the foundation and cause cracks. It is important to repair cracks immediately to prevent further damage.

Repair Instructions

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How do you Build an ADA-Compliant Concrete Wheelchair Ramp?

curb ramp The Americans with Disabilities act, signed into law in 1990 by President George Bush, Sr., was created in order to protect the civil rights of people with disabilities, allowing them to remain a part of mainstream society.  A part of ADA legislation requires all public buildings and private businesses to ensure physical access to their property for people with disabilities.

For wheelchair-bound people, ADA requires ramps to be constructed.  They don’t necessarily have to be constructed from concrete, but many are.  If you are curious how this process works, or if you are a contractor with a project that requires ADA certification, we have step by step fabrication instructions and the regulations guiding the actual construction of the ramp.
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Advantages of Using Decorative Concrete Overlays

decorative concrete overlays Decorative Concrete Overlays are a relatively new technique to create economical building materials that have a professional look and long lasting finish.

To add creativity to concrete projects, homeowners can utilize the skills of a decorative concrete contractor and a concrete company to ensure that their designs are exactly what they wanted. Decorative concrete contractors are able to utilize different materials and ideas in creative ways to generate interesting ideas with endless possibilities for concrete resurfacing, special concrete coatings, or concrete overlays.
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Why Use Concrete Epoxy Seal Coatings for Commercial Flooring

concrete sealing We have the best resources for commercial concrete flooring with information to help you stay current with the latest trends.

No longer should your office, shop or warehouse have bare concrete floors. Without a custom surface, concrete floors break down, and create unsanitary dust. Exposed unsealed concrete flooring is not watertight and allows chemicals to leach through to discolor and damage the concrete.
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Repairing Cracks in Concrete Foundations Causing Water Leaks

concrete base The foundation of a home or building structure can fail because water in the surrounding soil is a constant pressure on basement and foundation walls, naturally creating a source for cracks in the concrete.

Signs of Concrete Foundation Cracks

  • Water stains along walls or floor, and wet cracks.
  • Efflorescence on the concrete walls, which shows up as a white or grayish ash on the foundation structure. Efflorescence sparkles because it is caused by salt deposits from evaporating water.
  • A musty odor or damp air as excess moisture in a basement smells stale and humid.
  • Any sign of mold including black, brown, yellow or green mold. Dampness and cracks directly over soil can cause quick growth of mold in underground crawl-space areas.
  • Concrete spalling from water beneath the surface of concrete, with salt deposits from the evaporated water causing the surface to flake and peel off.

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How to Repair Cracks in Concrete Walls

Repairing a crack in a concrete wall requires a clean surface area and a repair mixture of Portland Cement. If you do it yourself, the cost will be lower and you will have the satisfaction of doing a job yourself.

First widening the hole to remove all loose material with a hammer and cold chisel. Undercut the concrete crack so that you expose solid concrete and remove all loose debris in the cement.

When the loose material has been chipped away, clean the undercut area with a stiff wire brush but do not brush the edges smooth. The rough surface of freshly exposed concrete makes a good bond for the new concrete adhesive.
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