Concrete is a strong and durable building material composed of binder cement and an aggregate, usually small or large pieces of gravel. To make a firm foundation, it is important to dig up any area of land you plan to cover with concrete and replace the soil with a layer of crushed stone or gravel. Additionally, it is vital to have the right amount of Portland cement on the surface because that's where the weather attacks concrete and where concrete is abused by car and truck tires, as well as foot traffic. Try to complete the mixing and pouring of the concrete in a continuous, uninterrupted process.
Rock salt, or sodium chloride, can cause pitting and crumbling of the concrete surface due to a chemical reaction. To prevent this from happening, it is important to use only the amount of water indicated in the mixing instructions to prevent weak concrete from crumbling under pressure. One of the most cost-effective ways to prevent crumbling and flaking is with the use of a penetrating sealant for concrete. It comes in many forms, but most have several things in common.
They do not alter the appearance of the tile and have a long service life. To apply it, dampen the chipped concrete, brush off the cement paint and, before it dries, coat the paint with the cement stucco. The cement stucco mix should be two parts sand and one part Portland cement to obtain an ultra-resistant surface. Add enough water to make the stucco the consistency of a hard, non-liquid applesauce.
And don't add water while you finish the stucco. Another way to avoid crumbling is to install a proper drainage system and keep acidic rainwater away from your foundation. Additionally, if you have a driveway or sidewalk that has all kinds of places where the top surface of the concrete has collapsed, you can remove all the damaged concrete and clean it up before installing sidewalk shapes that will give you the thickness you've decided to use. If you have a concrete countertop that has stains or scratches, luckily for you they rarely penetrate deeper than the top layer of a concrete countertop, so you don't have to remove too much of the surface to get rid of them. To enhance its natural beauty with one of a variety of intense shades, apply a good penetrating dye such as Quikrete's Penetrating Concrete Tint to the sanded surface. We also specialize in foundation waterproofing, crawl space repair, crawl space waterproofing, concrete lifting and more. With these tips in mind, you can make sure your concrete lasts longer and avoids crumbling.
