How to Seal Concrete

September 18, 2015

To keep your concrete looking brand new, applying a concrete sealant is a task worth carrying out. A sealant, when applied correctly, gives concrete a smooth glossy finish that’s easier to clean. What’s more, applying a sealer to your concrete has the benefit of making the surface more resistant to weather, grease and dirt stains, and any abrasive materials such as deicing salts. We’ve listed a few of the things you need to know about sealing concrete. Prepare the Surface It’s important to make sure any oil, dirt or grease is removed from the concrete before applying the sealant, or it…

How Concrete Fasteners Work

September 3, 2015

Concrete fasteners are the easiest way to fix objects to masonry surfaces, i.e. concrete or brick. They often come in the form of a heavy-duty anchor or screw. Concrete fasteners are unique in their installation compared to other materials such as metal or wood due largely to being difficult to install and use. Concrete is the most widely used base material in the world, however, and once installed correctly, concrete fasteners are extremely difficult to remove. The process of using concrete fasteners is simple in design: A hole is drilled into the concrete The fastener is placed into the whole The…

Top Tips for Concrete Maintenance

July 31, 2015

Concrete is one of the most robust man-made materials for making the exterior of your building, driveways, patios and other structures stunning. However, it normally suffers from being exposed to some elements, so it is advisable to do some maintenance if you want it to stay in good conditions as long as possible. It is therefore important to understand how to maintain your concrete to avoid ugly surfaces and potentially endangering structures. Here are some top tips for concrete maintenance for your home. Cleaning Cleaning is one of the best steps you can take to keep your concrete looking at…

Top 5 Myths and Misconceptions About Concrete

July 3, 2015

There are many myths and misconceptions about concrete – while some may be relatively harmless, others can cause problems if taken as truth. Here are just a few of the most popular ones… Concrete Hardens by Drying out Concrete is cured first, then slowly dried out. It is the curing that turns the concrete into a permanently hard substance through the chemical reactions that occur in the presence of water. Premature drying would stop the fresh concrete hardening properly, and thus maintaining enough moisture in the mixture is crucial during the curing. You can Always Add Water to Increase…

What are the Main Causes of Damaged Concrete?

May 29, 2015

Concrete is made by mixing together cement, gravel, sand and water. The particles in the mixture are bound tightly together chemically, so that the concrete sets hard, simulating the properties of rock. Concrete is the most frequently used building material on earth, but various factors cause it to deform or degrade over time, reducing its longevity. The makeup of a concrete mix – that is, the proportions of cement, aggregates and water – depends on the appearance, performance and strength that the finished product requires. Modern concrete mixes can be complex, and failure to work consistently to the ratio of ingredients…

The Art of Concrete Engraving

May 6, 2015

Concrete engraving Concrete is the most commonly used building material in the world, but is normally taken for granted. However, an innovative process called concrete engraving is shining new light on this humble material. Concrete engraving is a technique that can transform any plain, grey concrete surface, quite literally, into a work of art. Newly laid or existing concrete surfaces can be engraved, provided the concrete is hardened, or ‘cured’, and clean. Indeed, the cracks and flaws in existing concrete surfaces can be incorporated into the new design, if so desired, so you can embellish your home or business with ripping…

Top 5 Things You Never Knew About Concrete

March 26, 2015

Concrete is amazing stuff – tough, versatile and relatively inexpensive. Prevalent in all areas of society, concrete is bar far the most common building material on the planet. But here are some fascinating facts that you probably do not know about concrete… Natural Concrete Concrete is not a purely man-made phenomenon! In Israel, in the 1960s, a natural layer of concrete was discovered which has been dated to twelve million years ago. It is believed that oil shale ignited near a limestone area and the result was a naturally formed layer of concrete. Even manmade concrete is not as recent a…

Innovations in Concrete Construction

February 26, 2015

There have been some notable innovations concerning concrete in recent years. Among them are self-healing concrete, fibre optic concrete and flexible concrete. Concrete That Heals Itself Self-healing concrete may sound like science fiction, but Bath University have come up with an ingenious way in which concrete can heal itself. Namely, utilising bacteria to repair concrete showing signs of decay. Though concrete is a tough material, especially when in combination with iron rebars, it is a material that can still be very vulnerable in certain conditions. Concrete, particularly reinforced concrete, is vulnerable to water, for instance. Just one small crack can soon…

How Gritting Affects Concrete in Cold Weather

January 29, 2015

If you own a driveway or walkway and live in a climate that grows cold for any period of time, then you will have experienced icing and slippery concrete. The hazard of falling is very real and can be a liability – especially true of business owners. The last thing anyone wants is someone slipping and hurting themselves on the walk. This is why we salt the pavements and driveways, clearing away the ice and creating a safe walking and driving surface. It is necessary to clear ice away, but have you ever thought about the damage you might be doing…

How to Choose the Right Concrete Supplier

December 22, 2014

Concrete is a far more versatile material than you might think, which is why it is important to know what you are looking for when undertaking a concrete-based project. The type of mix you use, the strength, the colour, the flexibility and the kind of finish you will require, all depend on your application, i.e. what exactly it is that you are hoping to accomplish. If you aren’t into DIY, you will need an expert to help you decide upon the correct concrete to use and is capable of completing the job to a professional standard. But, of course, only you…