6 Must-know Tips for Preparing Your Concrete for a Long Life

Pouring a new slab of concrete may look simple, but in all actuality, it takes a lot of finesse and a lot of attention to detail. The final outcome can look absolutely amazing, and this is why you will want to do all you can to make sure the concrete slab looks new for as long as possible. Fortunately, taking care of concrete isn’t as difficult as many people make it out to be. For now, let’s take a quick look at six tips for preparing your concrete for a long life.

1) Make Sure It Is Poured By Professionals

The first step you will want to follow to make sure your commercial concrete lasts as long as possible is to have it poured by professionals. And not only do you want it poured by professionals, but you want it to be mixed by professionals too. In fact, the mixture of the concrete is the number one determining factor in how well the concrete will set up.

2) Use a Microfiber Pad

When cleaning concrete floors, it is best to use a microfiber pad as this helps remove dirt particles without scratching the concrete. And since concrete has a soil as an ingredient, it is not uncommon for the dust to be quite thick on concrete floors, meaning they should be cleaned at least three to four times a week.

3) Use a Neutral Floor Cleaner

Using plain water to mop your concrete floors is a great idea because it doesn’t mess with the chemicals in the concrete. Unfortunately, though, using plain water won’t always remove all of the dust and dirt that has been attracted to the concrete floors. With this in mind, you will need to add a neutral floor cleaner to the mop water at least twice a week when cleaning the floors.

4) Clean All Concrete Floors

Some people think that the only concrete floors that need cleaning are the ones inside. The truth is, though, whether it be concrete sidewalks, concrete garage floors or concrete driveways, all of these areas need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Driveways should be cleaned at least twice a season, while garage floors should be cleaned at least once a month. And if possible, concrete sidewalks should be cleaned at least once a week.

5) Clean Stains As Soon As Possible

If you spill something on the concrete, you will want to clean it up as quickly as possible before it sets into the concrete and stains it. If spills and stains absorb into the concrete, it can lead to decay and you want to avoid this.

6) Always Dry Mop the Wet Floor Cleaner

You don’t ever want your cleaning agent to become dry on the concrete floors. Instead, you want to clean the floors and dry mop them before the cleaning agent dries. If the cleaning agent dries on the floor, it can lead to cracks and decay.

The Takeaway

Regardless of the concrete project,, you will want to take advantage of commercial concrete installation. Concrete companies that have prior experience in pouring concrete and can make sure the job is done right the first time around as well as provide you with lots of helpful tips for extending the life of your concrete floors.

What’s the Difference Between Asphalt and Concrete?

Asphalt and concrete are both viable hard surface options for parking lots and driveways, but despite what many may believe, the two are not the same. Yes, there are similarities, such as the importance of a solid base, basic material composition and the need to adequately cure. But to help you make a more educated decision for your refinishing needs, we’ve outlined the top 10 key differences between concrete and asphalt. Have a look:

  1. Longevity: Concrete can usually last upwards of 40 years, while asphalt has a lifespan of about half of that.
  2. Durability: To piggyback off the last point in terms of longevity, concrete tends to be more durable than asphalt, which helps it to last longer.
  3. Aesthetics: Concrete tends to be a lot more versatile of a material than asphalt. For instance, it can be stamped, comes in various colors and has an assortment of finishes available. Asphalt on the other hand is a little less aesthetically pleasing. It comes primarily in black and no finishing options are available.
  4. Cost: Cost is an important aspect of any project, and a new driveway or parking lot is certainly no exception. On that note, asphalt has a tendency to be cheaper, typically costing anywhere from $2.50 to $4 per square foot. Concrete tends to range from $4 to $6 a square foot.
  5. Climate considerations: Concrete is generally better in warm climates and asphalt in colder climates. That’s because concrete has a tendency to crack in freezing temperatures and can be damaged by salt. Asphalt, on the other hand, tends to soften in hot temperatures, potentially leading to deformation. Asphalt can get very hot to the touch in warm, sunny climates as well.
  6. The adhesive: One of the biggest differences between concrete and asphalt is the adhesive that binds the mineral, stone and sand materials together. In concrete, the adhesive is cement. In asphalt, it’s tar.
  7. Cure time: Concrete takes a few days to cure before it can be driven on, while asphalt takes just a few hours.
  8. Resurfacing: Asphalt can be resurfaced to give the lot or driveway a new top coat. Resurfacing isn’t possible with concrete.
  9. Crack repair: In order to repair cracks, stains or deformations, asphalt can be resurfaced. Standalone cracks and holes can also be easily repaired, with the end product blending in fairly well with the rest of the lot or driveway. This isn’t the case with concrete, as crack repairs are generally far more obvious and potentially unsightly.
  10. Maintenance: It’s recommended that asphalt lots or driveways be resealed once every three to five years to extend operational use. This is easy to do and doesn’t require any special tools or products. Good maintenance can extend the life of asphalt surfaces. Concrete doesn’t have to be sealed to last, as consumers typically choose to seal a concrete driveway to enhance its appearance.

As you can see, concrete and asphalt are far from the same material, and the differences that we’ve listed above are all important considerations to note when you’re deciding on your next resurfacing project.

So what is best for your parking lot or driveway – asphalt or concrete?

What are the Side Effects of Paving Asphalt over Concrete?

Many people who are looking for a new asphalt surface for their parking lot or driveway will simply pave over an existing concrete service. This can save time and money. However, many experts do not recommend it for a wide variety of different reasons. Asphalt paved over concrete tends to crack and be bumpy to the point where it could be dangerous for pedestrians and damaging to vehicles. This article lays out several reasons why you should consider having a concrete removed before the asphalt poured. To learn more about why professionals recommend the concrete be removed in the first place, read on.

The Surface Will Not Be as Smooth

The first and most obvious negative aspect of paving asphalt over concrete is that the surface will not be as smooth. You have no doubts seen when asphalt has been laid on over concrete and is bumpy and uneven. Even the best professional paving companies will likely end up with results that don’t meet your expectations due to the bumpiness of the surface. If the concrete itself has been poorly laid and is bumpy and cracked, this effect will be greatly exaggerated.

The Asphalt Will Be More Likely To Crack

Asphalt laid over concrete is also much more likely to crack. This is due to two main reasons. Number one, if the concrete is cracked or damaged below the asphalt it will not provide a stable surface and will likely cause cracks in the asphalt in the same places. Number two, concrete is known to expand and contract based on the weather conditions. This will cause cracks in the concrete as well as in the asphalt on top of it.

The Costs of Maintenance May Be Higher In the Long Run

The two above points, in effect, will cause the cost of maintenance to be higher in the long run. Maintaining asphalt is normally relatively cheap and not time-consuming at all. However, cracked and uneven asphalt will require a great deal more maintenance. While you may save a little bit of money by laying down asphalt over concrete in the first place, your cost will likely be higher in the long run.

The Surface May Actually Be Dangerous for Pedestrians

These days many businesses and even private citizens are worried about how dangerous surfaces could be a precursor to lawsuits. There is a small subset of people that are always looking for an opportunity to file a lawsuit. A poorly maintained or otherwise dangerous surface that causes a fall for a pedestrian could easily be the source of a lawsuit, as many different businesses have found out. For this reason and many others, you want your surface to be as even and smooth as possible.

The Asphalt May Have To Be Torn Up

Not only will maintenance of asphalt laid over concrete be higher in the long run, you may even have to tear up the asphalt due to damage from the underlying concrete. If this is the case, you will also have to tear up the concrete at the same time. This can be a very expensive proposition. This could easily be avoided by having the concrete torn up in the first place.

The process of laying concrete & asphalt

You may need concrete replacement or asphalt replacement. No matter how well-laid the surfaces are, they will eventually wear out. You also may need new asphalt or concrete on a substrate that previously did not have a prepared surface. This article will provide you with an easy to understand overview of these processes.

Laying Concrete & Asphalt: Preparing the Substrate & Remove the Existing Surface

The first step in laying both concrete and asphalt is to remove the existing surface. Obviously, if the surface is simply earth, this step is not necessary. However, many times when laying concrete and asphalt there is already a surface there. Removing the existing service often includes jackhammering it apart and removing it piece by piece. It is not as time-consuming as you might think, however.

Compact the Soil

Once the existing service has been removed, it is time to compact the soil. This will be the first step in the process if there is not already concrete or asphalt in the location where you’re laying the new surface. Compacting this soil may not seem like an important process to someone who is not familiar with laying concrete and asphalt. However, it is very important. It actually may be the most important part of the process. Properly compacting the soil will help ensure that the concrete or asphalt laid on top of it does not crack and does last a long time.

Cover Soil With Crushed Rock & Pack It (for Asphalt)

Once the soil has been properly compacted, the contractors will need to cover it with crushed rock and pack it tightly if they are applying asphalt. This step in the process is not necessary if concrete is being laid, but it is an integral part of the process for asphalt. This crushed rock substrate offers an excellent surface for asphalt to sit on top of. Just putting asphalt on top of the soil would not work because it would not adhere properly to the soil. This could lead to an unstable and even dangerous surface. Once the crushed rock has been applied, it must be packed. This is usually done with the roller vehicle. Next, the contractors will allow the soil to settle for roughly seven days.

Choose a Thickness

Before the concrete or asphalt can be laid, a thickness must be decided upon. The standard thickness ranges from one and a half to three inches. The decision is yours in the end, but it is highly recommended that you listen to the recommendation of the contractor you’re working with. They are highly experienced and trained professionals and they have done many similar jobs so they will know the thickness that will work best for your situation.

Pour the Surface

As you might have guessed, the next step is to pour the surface. Concrete can simply be poured out of a contract mr. into the ground and leveled out. Asphalt must be applied with the rocky material first and then that are on top of it. This makes a little more of an involved process, but it is not as time-consuming as you might expect.

Let the Surface Dry (Concrete) or Compact It (Asphalt)

Once the surface has been poured, it is time to let it dry, provided the surface is concrete. If it is asphalt, it does not take nearly as long to dry. However, it must be tightly packed to ensure that it is weather resistant.

Making the Right Decision for Your Asphalt and Concrete Needs

In many applications, getting a new asphalt or concrete surface can actually save you money. Residential and commercial asphalt resurfacing, for example, can be more expensive than replacement in some circumstances. Commercial and residential concrete maintenance can also be prohibitively expensive. Even concrete driveway repair expenses can add up.

How to Decide on the Right Contractor

Concrete services are incredibly versatile, and homeowners have a lot to choose from. The residential concrete market is booming, and today’s contractors are installing floors, patios and driveways at incredibly high rates. Available concrete professionals have their work cut out for them, and homeowners need to ask a few questions before settling on any specific provider. Finding the right concrete contractor can be tough. Settling on a single provider is a gamble, and it’s not one which should be taken lightly.

Before choosing a contractor, a few things should be considered. Below, we’re covering the best way to choose a concrete contractor.

Step One: Do a Little Research

First, you should research. A simple Internet search can return a list of potential contractors able to provide service in your area. If you want to get personal, ask your family members and friends for referrals and recommendations. Or, reach out to your area’s local concrete supply company and ask about commercial asphalt repair. Ask them to refer some decent concrete contractors. If you can compile a good list of contractor options, you’ll have a healthy supply of service providers to choose from.

Step Two: Assure Insurance Coverage

Next, you should make sure any contractor you work with has insurance coverage. Sometimes, things go wrong. A job site needs to be protected, and your service provider should have insurance coverage. Make sure you’re not going to be liable if an accident occurs. Before picking a contractor, make sure they have adequate insurance coverage. Their coverage should be enough to cover your home, the project and any injuries in the event of an accident. To help you determine whether a contractor’s insurance coverage is enough, contact their insurance company directly. Then, ask them to verify the contractor’s insurance—as well as their coverage policy’s dates.

Step Three: Determine Their Experience

A good contractor will have years of proven experience. Whether you’re looking at a commercial asphalt resurfacing provider or a number of driveway repair contractors, years in business is a huge indicator of direct potential. A lot of asphalt companies present their years in service up front for this reason—it’s a good advertising strategy. Some residential paving companies, meanwhile, can be difficult to pin down—experience-wise.

Choose between the providers which have at least five years of experience. Concrete contractors and businesses with at least five years of business tend to be more stable and reliable than most. Experienced contractors are, more often than not, highly active on different projects while also being capable suggestion and insight providers. You’ll want to choose a provider which can offer the right concrete mixes, who can suggest ongoing project options and who can enhance your home’s overall look.

Step Four: Ask for References

In the concrete contractor world, successful providers are backed by reputable references. Before signing any contract, ask your contractor for a list of references. Then, contact these references. Learn more about your potential contractor and their operations. Ask all references questions about the type of project they received service on, the project’s length and the project’s overall quality. Then, compare this information to other references.

Once you’ve compared several contractors, you can compare prices. While price should be a large determining factor of which services you’ll pick, it should be one of the last considerations you view. Insurance coverage and a solid track record are more important. They’ll assure high-quality work, and they’ll give you an idea of your project’s overall quality. Many residential paving companies exist, but not all can provide long-term project sustainability and great repair jobs. Be smart, check out several providers and make an informed decision.

 

Get in touch with us today. Check out our services or send us a quote for your next project.