concrete: Got Concrete? - 01/28/09 04:26 AM
Another great article just recently posted on my website that shows a unique way to upgrade a concrete floor (basement or garage).
I thought that was a great idea and wanted to share the article with you. Just go to http://www.novapros.com and click on Got Concrete?
Please feel free to register and post any articles that would be helpful to the homeowner/remodeler or leave any comments on the article that may help better educate the consumer.
Thanks for reading,
Allison
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concrete: Removing Carpet Adhesives from Concrete - 09/16/08 03:30 AM
One of the major complaints and issues that I have seen in working with concrete floors, is the ugly black carpet glue left behind from 10 years ago. To hide it, one would put down more carpet, or try to cover it with tile, or linoleum. But some, wanted the concrete floor to be part of their décor because of allergies (and carpet was not the all-in-all) solution. Can those ugly adhesive marks be removed? And how do you remove them? In fact, there are many products out there they cater to the removal of adhesives. I have seen soy-based products, … (9 comments)

concrete: Acid Stain Gone Wrong - 09/15/08 04:24 AM
Even with the best intentions and the most skilled stainer, concrete has a mind of its own, and sometimes, that does not show through until the sealer goes on. We scraped the concrete, we put stain remover on the concrete, we grinded it, we hand sanded it, and all looked well. The stains were out, the adhesives were gone, and the surface looked great: perfect and primed for acid staining. We followed all the steps - all the steps that we had done many times before - but this time was different. This time we could not see the problem. The … (0 comments)

concrete: Concrete Installation - 09/10/08 12:32 PM
Here are a few tips to look for when you are having concrete poured for a patio, walkway, etc. 1. Usually a 4” depth is used when pouring concrete. A frame is laid to hold the concrete until it sets. Four inches is usually used when pouring a walkway or patio. If a driveway is poured, then make sure 6” is poured instead, as this area will receive heavier traffic and will need more support. The extra 2” will give the extra support needed for heavy trucks and traffic. 2. Make sure that when the area is dug out, that the … (0 comments)

concrete: Concrete Advantages - 09/10/08 12:30 PM
When you compare concrete to lumber, for instance when building a patio, there are several disadvantages to wood. One is an environmental disadvantage, as the trees used to make the lumber that makes the patio takes years to grow and harvest. Secondly, the upkeep on a wooden patio is much greater than the upkeep on concrete. Why use concrete? There are many advantages in using concrete over lumber. 1. Concrete can be easily shaped to fit a variety of landscapes and can be stamped to look like a variety of materials. By using a stamp and some concrete coloring (acid stain), … (0 comments)

concrete: Why Concrete Cracks - 09/08/08 03:47 AM
It is by the forces of nature that concrete, no matter how experienced the mason is, can crack. Even with the best of care, the most skillful laborer, and the most leveled ground, concrete can and will crack. When concrete is prevented from moving and is exposed to a force greater that its ability to resist (forces of nature), cracking will occur. There are three ways that concrete can be prevented from moving. One way is when the concrete slab/structure is physically affixed to a given point or position such as a walkway slab attached to the house’s foundation. A second … (0 comments)