At B&W Custom Concrete, Inc. in Buffalo, NY, our team is here to provide the Buffalo, NY community with quality concrete services, as well as advice from our experts. Read more about custom concrete here.
If you live in inclement climate conditions or extreme temperatures, outdoor steps that get heavy foot traffic can deteriorate dramatically over time. With a little maintenance and some ingenious new products on the market, you can repair concrete steps quickly and easily. Read on for some helpful tips:
There’s no better time than the beginning of summer to pressure wash your concrete driveway and patio and there’s no better way to clean stained, dingy concrete than a pressure washer. If you don’t own one, go to your local home store and rent one for the day. It’s fairly cheap. In 2-4 hours, you’ll have a sparkling new area with added home improvement.
Do you want to hear a “WOW” when people see your countertops? Although granite, marble, and other materials are popular with interior designers, concrete will give you a unique look.
Here are six things you should know, both pros and cons before you decide whether this is the right material for you.
Do you want to hear a “WOW” when people see your countertops? Although granite, marble, and other materials are popular with interior designers, concrete will give you a unique look.
Here are six things you should know, both pros and cons before you decide whether this is the right material for you.
Say goodbye to concrete pits and stains. Smooth and beautify your damaged concrete surface with a floor “resurfacer”.
If you recently resurfaced your garage floor, check out tips on how to maintain your garage floor.
Resurfacing products such as Quikrete Concrete Resurfacer or Sakrete Flo-Coat.
A band at least 3 ft. high to protect walls.
Push broom
Squeegee
1/2-inch drill and a mixing attachment.
Rubber boots and gloves, along with eye and hearing protection.
Pressure washer
Quikrete Concrete & Stucco Wash No. 8601-15.
Prepare the surface by scrubbing it with the brush and degreaser. Rinse twice with the pressure washer to remove residue.
With a pencil, circle ¼ inch around pits and craters.
Chisel any loose fragments along cracks or craters.
Mix the resurfacer. Fill where needed and scrape off the excess until smooth.
Glue weather strip to the floor where the garage door rests to protect the driveway. Sweep then scrub any spots or stains with the concrete cleaner. Once done, apply cleaner to the whole slab. Starting in the back, use the pressure washer, moving forward so excess water goes outside.
If the cleaner beads up, there’s a concrete sealer on the surface. Apply a stripper then clean.
After cleaning, mark the pits and divots that may have surfaced. Chip and sweep away any pieces of concrete that the sprayer loosened. Mix resurfacer and fill the cracks. Smooth with a cement trowel.
If you have expansion joints, cut into the existing slab and put weather stripping into it. Apply and smooth up to 150 sq. ft. of resurfacer at a time. You can glue a length of weather strip to the slab to define a stopping point if you don’t have a control joint and then continue from there once the first section is smoothed out.
For a finished edge under the overhead door, apply a heavy-duty vinyl weather strip. Be sure the slab is dry or adhesive may not work properly.
You’ll need one person to mix and another to spread the resurfacer. The material begins to stiffen quickly, so the faster you get it applied, the better the results. The key to a smooth mix is to let the resurfacer sit for a few minutes after mixing. Then mix a bit more, scraping the sides.
Saturate the concrete with water then use a broom to push any puddles away from the pitted areas or low spots. The concrete should be damp when you apply the resurfacer, not wet.
Spread from the middle of the puddle. Push the squeegee forward to work the resurfacer into the concrete, pores and pits.
Drag it back to smooth the coating and eliminate ridges. Continue spreading until you get even coverage. Strive for a ⅛ inch thickness.
As you reach the edge of the door weather strip, use your steel trowel to blend the resurfacer against it. Drop the excess in the bucket by removing with a trowel.
For a non-slip texture, lightly drag a push broom in one direction across the still-wet material within five minutes of setting time.
In hot, dry weather, mist the hardened surface. After several hours, it can handle foot traffic. If the pits still show, let the material set and apply a second coat. When complete, let it set for 24 hours before driving on it.
After a few days of curing, you can apply a sealer if you’d like to protect the slab from oil and other stains.
If you end up with ridges, shallow craters, or squeegee marks, rent a concrete grinder. It will give the existing concrete a flatter surface so you want to apply a finish like epoxy coating which will make it easy to clean.
If this is too overwhelming, contact the experts at b&wconcrete.com for a free estimate.
When wet weather conditions prevail, your concrete gets slippery. How many times will you have to slip and fall before you do something about those wet, concrete steps or that slippery garage floor? Concrete is especially slippery if the surface is polished, dense, or troweled. Here are a few suggestions to help achieve a more slip-resistant surface to your already-laid concrete:
Try applying grip tape. It’s a very easy solution and it's cost-effective.
Apply slip-resistant pads, available at any hardware store or online.
Place a slip-resistant mat in high traffic areas. Mats are available in all shapes and sizes.
You can acid etch* or diamond grind** the surface of the concrete for better surface traction. This will give the smooth concrete a rougher surface. The level of roughness can be controlled by the type of grinding method used.
Try applying a concrete coating to the surface followed by a non-slip, fine to coarse granular additive in the topcoat. All you need is about 3 ½ ounces per gallon to achieve a more slip-resistant surface.
Keep it clean. Studies have shown that clean concrete floors are nearly 20% less likely to result in a fall.
You can try mopping on a slip-resistant coating such as SlipDoctors Polish Grip.
If you are pouring new concrete, there are three finishes you can talk to B&W Concrete Contractor professionals about that will have a slip-resistant surface:
Broom finish: This will give you a subtle, eye-appealing solution. It appears as though someone put a comb to the surface. B&W Concrete Contractors can create any pattern with broom finishes that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Slip-resistant stamped concrete: For a more natural stone look, stamped concrete is another choice. The concrete is stamped to resemble a brick staircase. The spaces between the narrow faux brick concrete look have an added benefit as it provides a place of abrasion for your shoes.
Exposed aggregate: This is one of the more attractive solutions for slippery concrete. Exposed shells, pebbles, or glass beads provide stability for your guests and is a visually appealing fix to slippery steps or walkway.
*Acid etching is the process whereby you apply an acid solution to a concrete surface. This allows the solution to react with and “etch” the concrete.
**Diamond grinding is achieved by using diamond bits to grind the surface.
Any custom concrete contractor will tell you concrete doesn't really like the cold. B&W Custom Concrete in Buffalo, NY knows all about that. Low temperatures (below 40°) are often to blame for curing problems, cracking, and more. However, it IS still possible to pour concrete in the cold if you take some precautions.
When pouring fresh concrete the need to cure it properly is very important. Do it correctly, it will be strong and reliable; neglect it, and you’ll likely have problems.
Concrete is durable, but let’s face it - it’s a bit cold in appearance. If this steely, monochromatic surface isn’t your style, B&W Custom Concrete has three ways in which we can update it to impart deep hues and designs that won’t fade or peel.
Winter is coming. Well, fall is coming first obviously. Regardless, the weather in Buffalo, NY is about to get very cold, very fast. That means way less sunshine and more of the harsher elements that tend to take a toll on your concrete driveway. When was the last time your driveway was paved? If it’s been a while, meaning a few years or so, consider calling us at B&W Concrete to install a fresh concrete driveway for the winter months. Here are a few tips to help you prepare your driveway for the colder season ahead.
Although summer will be drawing to a close within the next few weeks, there’s still time to meet up with some close friends and family members for a relaxing outdoor gathering on your concrete patio or deck in Buffalo, NY. It’s the perfect time of year to have a bonfire, enjoy some drinks, have a pool party, or even a backyard cookout. In order to have your concrete deck looking pristine for your guests, here are some tips for how to have your outdoor space looking summer party-ready.
Maintaining your concrete patio during the summertime is admittedly a lot easier (and arguably more enjoyable) than doing so in the winter. No snow, no leaves, way less debris. However, the weather can get windy, and there’s always the occasional summer thunderstorm that can make things messy again.
After what seems like an eternity, the weather in Western New York is finally turning upwards. The temperatures are rising, the sun is out, and everyone is spending more and more time outdoors. Now is the ideal time to not only prep your concrete pool deck for summer, but possibly remodel this space and bring it to life.
No grass in your backyard? No problem. There are plenty of ways to make your outdoor living space truly your own. Concrete backyards are perfect for people who don’t want the upkeep that comes along with having greenery, or for those who want something suitable for multiple different climates as we have here in Western New York. Read on for 8 trendy no-grass backyard ideas that you can create.
Spring is around the corner, and it’s time to update your outdoor landscaping. Whether it be for your front yard or backyard, B&W Custom Concrete can help bring your ideas to life. Our techniques are able to help you craft your ideal edging vision.
We’re in the middle of another rough winter in Buffalo, NY which means we’ve all definitely shoveled, plowed, or snow-blowed our way through our driveway at some point.
We’re in the midst of winter, and Buffalo’s weather has not held back one bit. Maintaining your concrete deck during the harsh winter months is critical to the overall quality and lifespan of it. Just because you’re not using your deck during the colder seasons doesn’t mean you should neglect overall maintenance.
After covering the basics like covering your actual pool, you’re going to want to clear any furniture from the general area on your concrete deck. Not only are they very likely to get damaged throughout the winter months in Buffalo, but your deck will as well.
First and foremost, it’s a good idea to take the preventative measure of waterproofing your deck. This will provide an extra layer of protection against the elements and will expand the lifespan of your concrete deck.
Next, it’s imperative to regularly clean the surface of your deck. When it’s not covered in snow, remove any leaves and sap from the area, and finish up with a thorough rinse. This will prevent excess moisture from the snow turning the leaves into mulch which can cause mildew or mold to grow. This can be quite difficult to remove during the springtime. Our sealing services specifically are meant to prevent water damage and results such as this by ensuring no moisture gets stuck inside.
While inspecting your concrete deck, be sure to check for any cracks and regularly monitor them if they are visible. If you notice over time that they have gotten worse, make a note to have them repaired as soon as possible when the weather (finally) breaks.
One of our most popular services that are offered by our professional concrete contractors involves deck reinforcement. This is a great option to protect your deck over the winter months because it not only strengthens the concrete itself, but lessens the overall risk of cracks forming to begin with.
At B&W Custom Concrete, our concrete contractors are dedicated to providing our customers in the Buffalo area with the highest quality services when it comes to installation, design, and maintenance. Contact us today for a free estimate.
As experts in stamped concrete in Buffalo, NY we’ll share our comparison of the two so you can find the right style to uphold your own personal style for your home.
