Building a concrete driveway is a highly effective method to prevent soil erosion in your lawn; as well as providing a more stable grip for a motor vehicle in any type of weather. It is also beneficial to increase curb appeal for properties that are being sold and, if well maintained, can increase the value of a home to a great degree. Unfortunately, not all houses present with concrete driveways and the houses that do may have poorly maintained options. This article will provide information on how to go about pumping your own concrete driveway.

The first factor that must be taken into account when considering pumping concrete
into a driveway is the issue of planning approval from the local assessing authority. The majority of engineering constructions require permit approval and regulation to ensure authorities have sanctioned the project. Once a permit has been acquired, it is possible to begin the project by assessing the nature of the soil. This is important because the soil can influence the concrete being pumped. It is recommended that you use a professional soil assessor for this task.

When pumping a concrete driveway, it is recommended that you remove all plants or pieces of grass that may be in the demarcated area. In places where the soil is loose, similar to soil found in deserts, it is advised that the soil be removed and replaced with firm-based materials. This is due to the fact that concrete is unable to settle on loose soil and may cause the driveway to “fall” if pumped onto the loose soil.

If you are based in colder temperatures, it is necessary to mix the soil with gravel or other crushed stones. This is important because soil will expand when water in the ground freezes, but if gravel is present the soil will not expand. If no gravel is present and the soil expands, it is possible that the pumped concrete could crack and the driveway will have gaping holes.

Once the soil is effectively prepared, it is time to begin working on the design of the driveway by marking out the area using metal or wooden boards. This will ensure that the driveway width is sufficient for you to move a car on the area without any problems. If you are planning to construct the driveway above utilities, such as electricity or water, it is recommended that they are placed alternatively under the boards.
Once the boards have been placed, it is time to lay the concrete. The concrete pumping truck must be placed in a position where it can easily lay the concrete without any obstructions. It is recommended that you use a professional if you are unsure of how to go about using this type of machinery.

Increasingly, homeowners looking for an inexpensive way to make their home more livable and increase curb appeal with an eye toward resale are embracing the nationwide trend of creating outdoor living spaces.

These areas usually feature spaces for entertaining friends and family while grilling, dining, eating and relaxing. That often means room for a patio, a grill, a sink or a fireplace. Some think of it as adding a family room without the roof.

For many, the building technique of choice when creating these spaces calls for using segmental concrete paving. This technique employs interlocking units-called concrete pavers-that are strong, durable and are growing in popularity worldwide. In Germany, for instance, there are 15 square feet of pavers installed per person annually. In the Netherlands, most of the streets and sidewalks are made of pavers.

Often used in walkways, patios, plazas and historic restoration projects, pavers are manufactured in a variety of shapes, textures and colors and can be easily removed and reinstalled.

One kind of home-improvement project where pavers are increasingly being used is a raised patio. These patios are known for their durability and can create a new sense of space in a yard, particularly when extended to meet an existing deck. Such spaces can be used as an outdoor entertainment area, complete with hot tub or barbeque pit.

There are a number of reasons why pavers have become popular in projects such as these:

• Their uniform size and quality allow them to fit tightly together for a strong, interlocking surface.
• Paver joints allow for a small amount of movement without cracking. That means they won’t crack like asphalt or poured-in-place concrete.
• Their design makes them easy to install and repair
• They’re available in a wide variety of shapes, colors and textures.
• And they can be installed by either a professional or a skilled do-it-yourselfer.

One of the newest styles offers the high-end look of stone for a more modest price. Called “tumbled” or “antiqued” pavers, they can be used to add a stately look to a walkway, patio or driveway.

Concrete is a product that is seemingly used everywhere. It is a product that is heavily consumed by different advance and advancing economies as it aids in development and progress. With the use of concrete, there are so many infrastructure projects that you can come up with. With that in mind, you will therefore see a greater picture on how you can put to use concrete so that it will give you so much advantage.

Apart from the use of concrete, you see the fact that different equipment must be utilized in order that the concrete will be put to good use. Thus, choosing the right kind of equipment will certainly bring so many advantages in the event of your ongoing construction.

Get The Facts On Cyclonaire’s Cement & Concrete Solutions

To provide you with a better understanding of how our solutions can fit your application, Cyclonaire has created a Product Guide for Cement & Concrete Applications.

The guide provides an overview of our top quality cement industry solutions, including:

• Blower Packages: Cyclonaire’s custom-built intermediate pressure blower packages power both vacuum loading and pressure conveying applications.

• Bag Dump Stations: Our bag dump stations feature self-contained fan and self-cleaning pulse jet-style filtration dust traps for recycling.

• C&C Dust Reclaim System: The automated C&C Dust Reclaim System preserves air quality and conserves valuable material by capturing dust from silo-filling operations and automatically returning it directly to the source silo.

From railcar and silo conveying to cement blending — to convey systems and portable conveying systems — Cyclonaire has a solution for your cement and concrete application.  Read more here…

At home, you can benefit so much from the innovation that has been infused in the concrete of today. Such that there are DIY projects that you can come up with, so that you can fully maximize the concrete and put it to good use in beautifying your interiors per se. Concrete now is being utilize in broad spectrum, and has brought benefits to many homeowners.

Concrete Countertop DIY

When you come to a right angle (like where the backsplash meets the counter) it helps to use a wide putty knife and pull the wet cement up from the countertop on the backsplash part and towards yourself away from the wall on the countertop. Pulling the cement in the opposite directions helps give the corner a cleaner look.

The hardest part of this whole job was the rounded angle on the top of the backsplash. I had to use the small putty knife to put small amounts of wet concrete on the rounded edge, smooth it out the best I could, but honestly, I shaped most of that area during sanding. If you’re ever in doubt, put too much concrete on-you can always sand off excess later, but you can’t add more without mixing another batch. Read more here: http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2014/01/concrete-countertop-diy.html.

These things will essentially guide you to fully make sure that as you use concrete, it will not only improve the aesthetics of your house, but more so of its functionality. The concrete that you are seeing are being further researched and innovated so that more and more homeowners will get to enjoy the many kinds of benefits that it has for everyone.

Image Credits: http://www.nixonhire.co.uk/catalogue/images/cat_concrete_large.png.

Stamped Concrete, also known as imprinted or textured concrete, is a form of concrete that resembles stone such as flagstone, tile, brick, wood or slate. It is suitable for beautifying driveways, decks, patios, courtyards, and entries. It is one of the best paving choices, when it comes to enhancing the outdoor space. This style of concrete is particularly popular in Texas.

Why Choose Stamped Concrete

Stamped concrete has recently become popular with many homeowners because it provides a wide range of options in terms of concrete colors and patterns. Its affordable price is another factor, why it has become so popular. It is often cheaper than the materials it mimics, thus a very economical way of decorating exteriors. Aesthetically, it is hard to beat, compared to other materials used for paving.

Its maintenance needs are also minimal, compared to the actual materials it resembles. It does not have joints where weeds can grow. Another thing that adds to its value, is its durability and longevity. With proper installation and maintenance, it can serve you for many years, without the need for replacement.

Installing Stamped Concrete

Despite being more convenient and faster to install than stone or brick, installing stamped concrete is an involving process. It requires the right materials, jobsite conditions, expertise, and tools to make sure the outcome is successful.

There are several steps involved in the installation of stamped concrete. The installation crew also has to work with a small window, before the concrete starts hardening. On top of impressing and placing each stamp, color hardener must be broadcast on top of the surface. A release agent is also applied on the stamps, to ensure they don’t stick.

Even after the concrete has set, additional work needs to be done that includes joints installation, detailing, and sealer application. Good preparation and planning are necessary, before the actual work commences. This is very crucial, especially on large projects.

Maintenance

Sometimes stamped concrete tends to last longer than conventional concrete, especially if its surface has a color hardener. On top of imparting color, the hardener makes the surface more resistant to wear and tear and stronger. Some of the maintenance tips to observe include:

• Sweeping and washing the surface occasionally to prevent build up of dirt
• Avoid using harsh cleaning detergents, since they can wear out the surface
• Recoating with sealer can be done, if the surface starts becoming dull to restore its luster.

Bottom Line

The endurance and inherent strength of stamped concrete, is something that adds to its value. Just like normal concrete, stamped concrete will provide years of service, with proper installation and maintenance. It is hardly affected by harsh weather conditions, including the freezing temperatures in winter.