Best Concrete Repair, Replacement & Resurfacing Contractors in Ann Arbor, MI

You probably do. Working with concrete is not as simple as it looks. Without proper knowledge on the basics of concrete as well as the techniques of handling it, many mistakes can happen. Projects that involve concrete would necessitate the skills with basic tools like saws, chalk lines, hammers, and meters, as well as of more specialized tool used to work with concrete. Moreover, other activities that are necessary for many concrete projects like subgrade preparation and excavation are not minor things that can be accomplished by people without experience and proper equipment. Hence, you most likely need a concrete contractor.

You may think that rainwater may be good for the concrete since water itself is an ingredient of concrete. Water in proper amounts and mixing hydrates the concrete and allows it to gain strength. However, water from pouring rain can be damaging for your concrete. The rain may affect the strength of the concrete that is yet to form. Therefore, there is more risk of scaling, dusting, and cracking in the future. It will be advisable to postpone pouring concrete for a large project if you are anticipating rain. Your contractor will be ready to cover the area with a tarp just in case.

From production to the end of its life in service, there are several points in the life cycle of concrete where recycling can take place. Manufacturing concrete produces waste materials and byproducts like furnace slag or ash. These seemingly useless materials can be combined with aggregates in the concrete mix. Therefore, there is less demand for the production and mining for more raw materials. When a concrete structure is demolished, the disposed concrete can be recycled for other construction jobs. They can be used for gravel, pavements, and as aggregates in any concrete project like walkways, driveways, and other outdoor surfaces.

The value of testing concrete when it is still fresh and while the placement is still ongoing has so much long-term benefits. This allows the contractor to recognize any problems early, and thereby, intervene as appropriate. Some of the possible problems that may be obvious at this point are low strength and cracking. Some of the specific concrete tests like slump test and air content measurement can guide the investigation so that the solutions can be properly directed. A good concrete company will be keen on these details. While it may seem tedious, these steps are necessary to ensure the integrity of your structure.

The common stains seen on concrete surfaces especially driveways are those from oil and grease. There are many strategies to remove these stains. Many commercial products can be purchased from hardware stores at cheap prices. One is sodium triphosphate. This is applied on the stained area and left on for half an hour. After, it should be brushed with a stiff brush and hot water. Then, clean water should be used for rinsing. Other techniques include the use of a detergent which is scrubbed on the concrete ground with a stiff brush. In any of the methods, repetition may be necessary to complete the removal.