Concrete Blog

A Homeowner’s Guide to Broom Finish Driveways

nash-clientservices@customerswhostick.com (Master Account) — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:30:08 GMT

If you are seeking a concrete driveway installation that is both attractive and slip resistant, you may want to consider installing a broom finish driveway on your property. This type of driveway is characterized by its ridged texture and rough surface. With services from a company that builds concrete driveways in Murfreesboro, you will be able to create a broom finish driveway that meets your requirements for both safety and style. To highlight the benefits of finishing the surface of your driveway with a broom, here is a look at what you need to know about broom finish driveways.

Broom finishes are slip resistant

One of the top advantages of a broom finish driveway is that this type of driveway installation will help to prevent slips and falls on your concrete. When wet concrete is brushed with broom bristles, it will develop a distinctive set of grooves or ridges. This rippled surface will hug onto car tires and shoe soles, providing a durable surface that provides excellent traction and stability.

Broom finishes can be highly decorative

While broom finished driveways were initially developed for the practical purpose of improving traction, many property owners are choosing to get creative with the final look and design of their finished driveways. A skilled concrete contractor can brush the surface of the concrete in a decorative pattern that creates visual appeal on the driveway surface. To enhance your broom finish driveway even further, you can treat it with a colored stain.

Broom finishes should be done by professionals

Even though it might be tempting to make a broom finish driveway using tools that you have laying around your garage, you may end up dissatisfied with your final results. Creating a broom finish driveway requires knowledge about the setting time of a concrete surface. Hiring a team of professional driveway contractors will allow you to create a broom finish driveway that is a beautiful and functional addition to the front of your home.

Factors You Should Consider When Designing a Driveway

nash-clientservices@customerswhostick.com (Master Account) — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 17:05:16 GMT

If you want to get the most out of your driveway in Murfreesboro, don’t rush the planning process. Research the different kinds of materials available for driveway surfaces so you can choose one that covers all your needs. Your new driveway should boost your home’s curb appeal rather than take away from it, and you should understand the maintenance requirements before you get started. If you get lost along the way, you can always talk to your concrete contractor for expert advice. Here’s a closer look at the factors you should consider when designing a driveway.

Material

Your choice in materials is a good place to start when designing a driveway. This is partially because it’s usually an easy call, as concrete tends to be the obvious choice. Concrete is a strong, durable material that resists impacts and holds up over time. If you have a large driveway with lots of traffic, it’s a good choice for that reason alone. Concrete is also less likely to become damaged than alternatives like asphalt. Also unlike asphalt, concrete does not need to be regularly sealed to survive the elements.

Aesthetics

Concrete gives you plenty of creative freedom and options for your driveway design. Not all concrete is a dull neutral color, and today’s contractors can create some amazing designs that bring up your curb appeal. From acid chemical staining to detailed scoring, your concrete contractors have a range of tools on their belts. Work with them to create the perfect driveway for your aesthetic tastes.

Maintenance

Driveway maintenance is not a chore that you should have to worry about too frequently, especially if you have strong concrete that was installed properly. If you choose a different kind of material or you notice small cracks, your driveway design should make it easy for you to notice and fix problems. Chances are the cracks will start in areas where there is heavy traffic, so they should be easy enough to get to. Act right away so the cracks don’t get worse as water expands and contracts between them.

Understanding Concrete Curing

nash-clientservices@customerswhostick.com (Master Account) — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 16:26:21 GMT

If concrete isn’t allowed to cure properly, it won’t have its maximum strength and durability. The curing process is central to concrete’s capacity to withstand the damaging effects of freezing and thawing. Curing also gives the material greater resistance to scaling and abrasion. If slabs aren’t cured, they will be prone to crazing. This is the development of hairline cracks.

Why Curing Is Necessary

How Long Concrete Takes to Cure

There are three phases to the concrete curing process. The initial phase is characterized by the settling of the concrete mixture. As this happens, “bleed water” rises to the surface and begins evaporating. The contractor will evaluate the rate of evaporation to determine if the bleed water is evaporating more quickly than it’s rising out of the mixture. If so, then it will be necessary to do some initial curing. The intermediate curing stage is when the contractor will perform the stamping, if required. This is followed by the final curing. The initial curing takes about seven days, and for at least the first three days, people and pets should avoid walking on the surface. The total curing process usually takes 28 days, during which time it should not be subjected to heavy equipment.

How Proper Curing Occurs

It’s commonly thought that concrete cures automatically, but it actually needs to be taken care of while the material sets and develops its strength. There are two primary methods used during the first week: Moist curing and membrane curing. Moist curing requires keeping water on the surface at all times, such as by using a sprinkler. The second method involves the use of a liquid membrane-forming compound, called a curing compound. The contractor can apply the curing compound to the surface. Once dry, the substance prevents evaporation.

How Trees Can Move Your Foundation & What to Do About It

nash-clientservices@customerswhostick.com (Master Account) — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 16:18:12 GMT

Trees are a beautiful addition to any landscape. They grace your yard with beauty, give you shade in the summer, encourage birds to nest near your home, and may even give you fruit or nuts during harvest time. But trees also have one major disadvantage: They can cost you thousands of dollars in damage to your foundation. Take a proactive approach by contacting a foundation services company near Murfreesboro, and ask how you can help your foundation last for years to come.

Misconceptions About Tree Roots and Foundations

Many homeowners are aware of the damage that tree roots can do to their sewer line. Tree roots are quite strong, and can penetrate through pipes and cause clogs. Because of this, homeowners often mistakenly think that tree roots damage foundations in the same way. But in fact, trees are less directly responsible for foundation problems. The underlying cause is the expansion and shrinkage of the soil.

Ways Roots Do Damage Foundations

A mature, thirsty tree can gulp up tens of gallons of water in one day. As the soil dries, it settles and shrinks. It’s the movement of the soil that ultimately leads to foundation damage, since the concrete will move as the soil moves. The concrete foundation may crack or it may shift. A shifting movement tends to cause more severe structural damage to the home. Severe shifting is more likely to affect older homes.

Steps You Can Take to Prevent Foundation Damage

If you think you might already have foundation damage, you should call in a team of concrete contractors right away. Delaying repairs can make the problem worse. However, even if your home was recently built and shows no signs of damage, taking proactive steps will help keep it in good condition. Ask your contractor about installing a root barrier. This is a polyethylene barrier that is buried in a trench around the perimeter of your home. The purpose of the barrier is to prevent thirsty tree roots from drinking the water near the foundation, which will preserve the integrity of the soil.

Try This Trick for Removing Oil Stains from Concrete

nash-clientservices@customerswhostick.com (Master Account) — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 16:11:38 GMT

Concrete patios and driveways are durable , but can be susceptible to oil stains. If yours become stained, your concrete contractor in Murfreesboro might recommend trying the cola trick. See a demonstration of this when you watch this featured video.

All you’ll need to clean the surface of your driveway is a new bottle of cola, a stiff-bristled scrub brush, and a bucket of water. First, give the cola bottle a few good shakes. Point the top at the oil stain and open the cap. Pour a generous amount of fizzy cola on the stain, and replace the cap. Scrub the concrete vigorously with the brush, and rinse with the water. If the stain is still there, repeat the process until it’s gone.

Concrete Slab Foundations 101

nash-clientservices@customerswhostick.com (Master Account) — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 17:48:19 GMT

When you are building or restoring a home, it is critical to start with a solid foundation. Concrete slabs are among the most popular foundation materials for houses around the country. With services from a qualified concrete contractor serving Murfreesboro, you can build a durable concrete foundation that is ready to support the levels of your new home. Before you embark on a concrete foundation project, it is helpful to understand the basics about how concrete slabs are poured and maintained. Let’s review some essential information that every homeowner should know about concrete slabs.

Preparing for a Concrete Slab

One of the main advantages of a concrete slab foundation is that this option is very easy to install. In order to prepare for your concrete slab foundation, you will simply need to make sure that your home’s plumbing and electrical systems have been put into place. After functional plumbing and electrical lines have been installed, your contractors will be able to easily pour your concrete slab on your home site.

Building a Concrete Slab

In order to support the levels of a home, a concrete slab needs to be very structurally stable. Before the concrete slab is poured, your contractors will typically lay an even layer of gravel over the foundation site. Next, a plastic moisture barrier will be placed on top of the gravel. Finally, liquid concrete will be poured into a thick concrete mold. Before the concrete sets, your contractors may incorporate reinforcing beams or other supportive materials.

Maintaining a Concrete Slab

Keeping a concrete slab properly maintained is fairly simple for any homeowner. To preserve the structural integrity of your concrete slab, you will need to monitor the moisture levels in the soil around your foundation. If the soil is too wet, additional drainage may need to be installed. In the event of a drought, it may also be necessary to moisten the soil that sits along your foundation. Finally, it is also important to protect your foundation from liquid pesticides, tree roots, and broken plumbing pipes.

Popular Design Options for Concrete Driveways

nash-clientservices@customerswhostick.com (Master Account) — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 17:44:18 GMT

We specialize in all things concrete at Cantrell’s Concrete, which includes driveway surfaces serving Murfreesboro. Concrete driveways are known for their durability and longevity, and they don’t require much maintenance. There’s more to concrete than its durability, however, and it doesn’t all look the same. Today, there are many options for concrete design with options like colored concrete, slick finish, stamping, and engraving. If you’re looking to make your driveway stand out, read ahead and learn about our popular design options for concrete driveways.

Colored Concrete

If you’ve stayed away from concrete because you don’t want your driveway to look bland and colorless, then you must not have heard about colored concrete. Today’s concrete professionals can create colorful and impressive designs for your driveway, so you’re not just limited to the same drab look. If you look at your home design and your landscape and wish that you could make your driveway a certain color, chances are you can if you talk to the right concrete contractor. Colored concrete is customizable, and its color should keep its vibrant look for years. You can even combine colored concrete with other visual elements to tie your design together and bring up your curb appeal.

Slick Finish

“Glossy” probably isn’t a word that comes to mind when you think of concrete, but it will be once you learn about slick finish. A slick finish gives your concrete driveway a glossy look that works well for all kinds of property designs. It’s a smooth and reflective finish that also keeps your concrete from wearing out before its time. If you want to create a smooth, sleek home design that other people will reflect on, then talk to your concrete contractor about laying down a slick finish.

Stamping and Engraving

You don’t have to pay for luxury materials to get the look. Stamping and engraving let you emulate other materials without having to worry about the added price or maintenance requirements. Even though your driveway might not look like it, it’ll still be made of concrete, so it will last over time and won’t require much work.

Why Concrete Tops Asphalt as a Driveway Material

nash-clientservices@customerswhostick.com (Master Account) — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 16:46:49 GMT

Concrete vs. Asphalt

Concrete driveways near Murfreesboro aren’t the only kinds of driveways. Asphalt is another common material for use in driveway surfaces, but it might not but the best choice for your needs. Concrete tends to be a more reliable choice than asphalt, and it offers a handful of benefits that asphalt can’t compete with. If you’re planning on doing some renovating, continue reading and find out why concrete tops asphalt as a driveway material.

Your driveway should be durable and easy to maintain, and the right choice can boost your curb appeal for decades. Although asphalt and concrete are both viable materials, concrete is the clear winner. That’s because it stands up well against the elements, and it doesn’t need to be sealed. The opposite is true for asphalt, as these driveways are prone to cracking and must be sealed regularly to keep their appeal. Whether you choose concrete or asphalt for your driveway, you should repair small problems before they escalate. The good news for concrete driveway owners is that this is less likely to become a concern over the years. Save money and hassle by talking to your contractor about a concrete driveway.

Best Practices for Cold Weather Concreting

nash-clientservices@customerswhostick.com (Master Account) — Thu, 30 May 2019 16:42:48 GMT

Although the weather is generally mild in Murfreesboro, when the days get cool, there are some special steps your concrete company must take to ensure that you get the best possible results. Here are the facts you need to know about concrete pouring in cold weather conditions.

Defining Cold Weather

As a strong, durable material, concrete can stand up to extreme weather conditions for decades, but when it is being poured and before it is cured, cold weather can interfere with the installation process. As a general rule, temperatures of 40 degrees F or below can be problematic for concrete. For the Tennessee region, these temperatures are typically limited to a small window of time between December and March. Long-term freezing temperatures are rare. Your concrete company will follow the weather forecast closely to ensure that they take the appropriate steps if your installation will occur on a cold-weather day.

Prepping

If the ground is frozen, your concrete company may wait to pour the concrete until it has warmed. The ground must also be free of ice and snow. If concrete is poured onto frozen ground, it will settle and crack as the ground thaws. The top could also set while the bottom does not. In some cases, ground heaters can be used to thaw frozen ground. Any tools used to work on the concrete itself must also be warmed so that they are above freezing. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t apply deicing agents to any ground that is going to be treated with concrete.

Curing

If temperatures are going to reach 40 degrees F or below at any time during the concrete installation process, your concrete company will follow cold weather curing procedures. Typically, solvent-based curing products or cure-and-seal chemicals should be used to prevent freezing in the concrete before it is set. One challenge of winter weather in the Tennessee region is that the ground typically goes through freeze-and-thaw cycles daily, with cold nights and warmer days. Your concrete company may use tenting or heat retention blankets to protect the concrete during curing for this reason.