What’s the purpose of a retaining wall? A retaining wall is a lateral support built of concrete to support sloping soil. And, while all retaining walls are built for the same or very similar purposes, not all retaining walls are built in the same way. Here are four different types of retaining walls, and the…
Concrete is an incredibly durable building material, but it does have its limitations. All building materials have limitations that come with age. Concrete can develop hairline cracks after it cures, and, over time, these fine, hairline cracks can develop into larger, wider cracks that allow in water, insects, and radon gas. But, thankfully most of…
Concrete is generally an easy-enough to use building material. And a beginner can usually get the hang of working with concrete quickly and painlessly; however, this does not mean that a beginner is going to execute a concrete job flawlessly. There are tips and tricks to working with concrete that take time to be mastered.…
There are many jobs in the home that even the greenest do-it-yourself-er’ can accomplish. One material that makes for a good starter project is concrete. It may seem that concrete is a difficult material to work with, but with a little practice and by following the manufacturer’s instructions precisely, it can be easy. A good…
An unfinished basement is a blank canvas: future man cave, media room, or, possibly the perfect place for a quiet master suite away from the kids. Unfinished basements are wonderful additions, but, when it comes time to build, what happens when you discover that the concrete surface is not straight and level. Many concrete pads…
The major difference between shotcrete and concrete is the method used by a concrete contractor to place the concrete; there are clear advantages aside from just method, but we’ll get to those in a moment. Basically, shotcrete was invented when the concrete “gun” was developed in early nineteen hundred. Originally this gun shot out a…
Some jobs are practically made for the average weekend home-improvement-warrior. Most anyone can learn to mix simple batches of concrete, to build forms correctly, and then to pour concrete, float it and seal it. But there are reasons to hire a professional. And it’s not just for the big jobs—although size is a valid reason.…
Concrete is a reliable, durable building material. It’s the foundation of almost every home; it’s the foundation of our neighborhood’s sidewalks and paths, and for good reason: it’s a lasting, environmentally friendly product. But, even with all of its beneficial aspects, concrete can still develop cracks over time, as it gets weathered. Fortunately, though, concrete…
We’ve discussed concrete projects which are large-scale. But what about smaller concrete projects? Projects that not only challenge the skill of working with concrete, but are also economical. Take anything: a clock for instance, is usually made of plastic, metal, or, possibly, wood. But just how cool is a concrete clock; a centerpiece of design…
The main function of a Retaining wall is to separate two different angles of soil when a change in elevation is needed. And, while retaining walls are a very practical and necessary addition to homes in need of them, they also add value and aesthetic appeal to any property. For instance, if a retaining wall…