23 Jul Information on residential concrete work!
Information on residential concrete work!
This is the time of year that people in Minnesota have their concrete work done because of our weather limitations. So if you’re looking for information on residental concrete work keep reading! Unlike many other things…for concrete work you get what you pay for. Cheap priced concrete bids from your friend’s friend who does it on the side, well you get just what you would expect…cheap quality concrete and inferior finishing. So, let’s talk about it more in detail.
What is concrete.
In simple terms it is a composite material of three parts – water, Portland cement and aggregate. But it is not as simple as it sounds. The water makes up 20% of the mix but it can be an important factor in the strength of the concrete, so the ratio needs to be spot on. Also, the water must be of good quality since chemicals in water can affect the quality of the concrete. Portland cement makes up 10-15% of the mix. It is created by mixing materials made mostly of calcium carbonate and iron oxide and burning them until they blend…this process is sometimes referred to as “clinker”. It is then ground into a fine powder which is “Portland cement”. It aids in determining the strength of the concrete. Lastly, are the aggregates…which can be sand, rock or gavel. It accounts for 60-70% of the mix. To determine which to use is a conversation you have with a professional to determine shape, surface texture and skid resistance.
What to look for when picking a concrete contractor?
In concrete work, like real estate, requires experience pure and simple. Just mixing water and a bag of concrete might be ok for a short-term patch, but if you want a long-lasting driveway, patio, or sidewalk/steps then you need it done by a seasoned professional. Some of the issues I see are premature finishing and over finishing…both can result in surface defects like blisters, dusting, crazing, and cracking or delamination of the concrete. And, of course, a big reduction in the life of the concrete. Also, salt damages your concrete driveways, patios, and sidewalks. Bumps and potholes don’t just appear due to regular wear and tear – salt damages concrete over time by causing corrosion to occur under the surface, leading to discolored cracked and crumbling concrete
What other questions should you ask?
Some very important considerations that will determine if you are working with a fly-by-night outfit or a true professional are these:
· Do you get a written bid and then a written contract?
· Do you get a warranty (very important)?
· Can they provide pictures of previous work and references?
· Will they provide what their experience is?
· Do they have the necessary equipment to professionally handle the job…like do they bring a dump truck and remove all the previous driveway in one trip, or do they use a pickup truck and take it away over days and who knows where they dump it?
· Will the head person (the person you met) be the one managing the job? Or is it just a salesperson who subs it out to any person he can just find
· How long will the job take?
· Can you give me a specific time when it will begin?
Who have I used?
On my house, my friends houses and my clients I have only given one name out, that’s Mike Hulmes at 952-454-5385. His website is www.ConcreteConceptsMinnesota.com and his Facebook page is Concrete Concepts of Minnesota (his company name). He can do all types of creative work and fix real problems like erosion like he did at my house. He has the best finishing work I have seen. Since I have high standards and only rarely do recommendations…you will be impressed!
A message from Mike “I started doing concrete work in 1988 and as a result have extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects and applications of concrete. I’m committed to giving 100% to make sure my clients are thrilled with my work. Contact me for a no obligation consultation at 952-454-5385.”
If you have any questions about residential concrete work…do not hesitate to contact me.
I hope this blog on “important information for concrete work in Minnesota” was helpful.
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Look for more articles and videos in the future on different aspects of real estate and our state of Minnesota.
Real estate is a wonderful investment!
Jeff Anderson
The Anderson Team
www.mnrealestate.com
RE/MAX Results
612-386-8600
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