Concrete is a good material to use in different areas of your property. Many homeowners end up hiring one of the concrete contractors in Denver or wherever they live after they've settled into their new home to make improvements. But unless you've used concrete before, you probably don't know everything there is to know about it. Your contractor can help you figure out where to use concrete, how to choose concrete, how to keep concrete looking good, and what to expect during the installation. Where to Use Concrete If you really hate mowing the lawn, then you might be tempted to pour concrete all over your property. Of course, most people don't do that for numerous reasons. (And if you really dislike grass so much, you might consider getting a rock garden for your yard.) Nevertheless, there are many different reasons to use concrete in some areas of your hard. Here are just a few examples: - Foundation for your patio
- Sidewalk or walkway in your garden
- Steps to your backdoor
- Foundation for a shed
- Foundation for a carport
- Extension of your driveway
Before you ask someone to pour concrete, you have to be reasonably sure that you're not going to change your mind later on. While concrete can be broken up and taken away, this is extremely time-sensitive and expensive. Therefore, you should assume that concrete is generally made to last for a long time. How to Choose Concrete Did you know that concrete offers different selections? You can actually have your concrete colored a certain way. But more importantly, there is a vast difference between the different levels of thickness. Obviously, a foundation must consist of a very thick layer of concrete whereas a garden shed housing a small lawn mower doesn't need as much support. Your concrete contractor should ask you detailed questions about how your concrete will be used. It's especially important to find out whether you'll be driving or parking any vehicles on the concrete slab. Driveways, parking spots, and other areas that have to bear the weight of a vehicle on a regular basis should be thick enough to avoid damage. How to Keep Concrete Looking Good A lot of homeowners spend many hours each week keeping up their perfectly manicured lawns. But few homeowners spend a lot of thought or time on making sure their concrete stays in good shape. Fortunately, keeping concrete looking good is not difficult. The biggest concern is staining the concrete as a result of spills. Oil and gas are the most common culprits. To avoid spilling oil or gas onto your driveway, you should lay thick cardboard underneath your car or lawn mower during oil or gas changes. And if your car or lawn mower is leaking oil or gas, then it's important to get it checked out right away. Finally, most driveways can be improved in appearance by getting them pressure-washed every so often. It's also possible to refinish a driveway, but this is usually not necessary for many years to come. What to Expect During Installation Pouring concrete is not as easy as bringing the cement mixer to your property and dumping the contents out. In fact, installing concrete can be very time-consuming considering all of the preparation that goes into it. Whether you're getting a new driveway or a new patio, you can expect the process to take a few days or even weeks. First, your concrete contractors in Denver or wherever you live have to excavate the area. Next, it's time to stake the ground. It's really important that the foundation for your concrete is flat and solid, but it's even more important to prevent concrete from flowing anywhere but in the designated area. After the concrete gets poured in, your contractor will make sure that it's perfectly even.
Related Articles -
concrete, contractors, Denver,
|