www-kellyconcrete-co-fco2koq3q-v1

How to Start a Concrete Replacement Project

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 18:50:36 GMT

How Do I Keep My Basement in the Best Shape?

kellyconcrete@hotmail.com (CHAD KELLY) — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 16:10:42 GMT

Cost Effective Ways to Enhance Your Backyard’s Aesthetic

kellyconcrete@hotmail.com (CHAD KELLY) — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 16:03:53 GMT

Concrete Contractors: Why You Should Consider These Experts

Sat, 14 Nov 2020 04:52:15 GMT

It's time for you to either update your current concrete driveway or expand it in a myriad of ways. You may not fully understand this process, however, before you attempt a DIY project. We strongly suggest that you never try to install a driveway on your own without help but should, instead, get the best concrete contractors in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Dubuque, Iowa . These professionals can help you better understand your pouring needs and avoid unnecessary complications as well.

They Help Plan Every Element Properly

When you're starting a concrete project, you're going to have to do a lot of planning that you may not feel comfortable doing. This factor is common because these projects require a lot of careful work that provides home and business owners with the most reliable possible design and execution. And trying to do these steps on your own may prove disastrous if you don't take the proper steps to make sure that things go as smoothly as possible. Thankfully, concrete contractors can help in this situation.

For example, they'll start by figuring out what kind of concrete your project needs and choose a type that meets your needs fully. Often, this process includes finding specialized materials that can be used to update the structure of your driveway or any kind of concrete project. Usually, you'll need to work with these contractors to identify the best functional materials and create a plan that makes it easier for them to lay a driveway, such as knowing when to put up various structural elements.

In this way, your contractors can make sure that everything is appropriately prepared long before any concrete is poured. For example, they will dig out the area where the concrete must be poured, add protective guiding elements along the sides of the pour area to give it shape, and perform other steps to keep your project secure. Thankfully, these professionals can also handle this process for any other paving project that you may have coming up in the future.

Hiring Professionals Saves You Money

Here's something that may be hard for you to believe – hiring professionals ultimately saves you money on your concrete installation project. We can understand if it is hard to accept this because people are taught that DIY work is an excellent choice for those on a budget. And if you have the skills necessary to pour concrete, you may save some money doing it yourself. However, we find that most people either lack these skills or overestimate their capabilities in many unfortunate ways.

For example, you may think that pouring concrete is as simple as mixing the materials and spreading this pavement on the ground. This myth is one that many people quickly discover is far from the truth. Sadly, concrete is by no means easy to install because there are elements that you may not consider. Do you know what temperature is perfect for concrete pouring? Or how much water to add to your mix to ensure that it pours easily? Probably not, and you wouldn't be alone.

You may be able to use DIY videos to mix concrete and get results that aren't too bad. But what happens if your concrete dries and immediately starts experiencing damage? Then, you're going to have to contact concrete contractors who can handle these repairs for you. When you do, you're likely to find that the repairs cost at least as much as it would have cost to install the slab for you. In some cases, it may cost more because they may need to remove the concrete first.

Contractors Manage Other Project Aspects

When a contractor starts working on your home, they will take many steps to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible. After the planning process is over, they will handle the execution of the pouring of your concrete. While you may think that this process would be relatively simple and easy to handle, that isn't always the case. History shows that many people struggle to control a concrete pour in a DIY fashion and may need high-quality help to get the protection that they need here.

For example, some may not understand that they need to cut the surface of their concrete after a pour to create expansion cracks that prevent damage to their slabs. Typically, these cuts have to be done at pretty specific points along the surface of a driveway. For example, some may need to be made every 5-10 feet, depending on many factors. Most homeowners don't understand these factors off-hand and need concrete contractors to avoid complications.

Just as importantly, these experts will manage other aspects that you might not consider. For example, they will help plan the transportation of the concrete, mix it for you, check it for excess moisture, and ensure that it is as secure as possible. By taking these precautionary steps, these contractors make your concrete more durable and prevent severe and long-lasting damage. Just as importantly, they also make sure that you are satisfied with your project and don't run into any issues down the road.

Contractors Have Insurance

Lastly, concrete contractors have what you probably do not – insurance for your concrete project. That's because all contractors must insure their work, particularly if they are licensed, though some may not. And unless you're willing to spend money on insurance for one project – and who would blame you if you didn't? – you won't have insurance for your DIY pour.

So what's the big deal? Well, if a contractor makes a mistake during a pour, they don't turn to you for more cash – instead, they activate their insurance policy. And this is a huge benefit because it helps to get these mistakes fixed without costing you any cash. But what if you make a mistake on a DIY project without insurance? You are paying for the repairs out of your project.

Even better, most pavers also have warranties on their projects that help to ensure that you don't run into issues down the road. The lengthy of these warranties will vary but there's one thing that does not – your DIY driveway will have NO warranty to cover any pouring problems. As a result, it is a good idea to get contractors to handle this need for you.

Get Help From Us

As you can see, the best concrete contractors Coralville, Waterloo, and Cedar Falls, Iowa has to offer can provide you with many benefits that you can't get in any other way. So please feel free to contact us at Kelly Concrete today to learn more about how we can help you. Our experts have years of experience in this field and fully understand the demands that it puts on you. And we'll do what we can to help you get the necessary help for your high-quality driveway, parking, lot, or sidewalk project.

The Fascinating History of Concrete

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 21:32:40 GMT

Cement and concrete have been used by humans for thousands of years. And for good reason — these materials are incredibly versatile, durable, and economical. When made correctly, concrete can be waterproof, stormproof, and fireproof, and it only gets stronger with time, which is why so many structures built with cement and/or concrete are still around today.

Concrete vs Cement

First things first — Before we proceed, you need to know the difference between concrete and cement.

Cement is a bonding material made from varying combinations of ingredients such as limestone, clay, shells, chalk, shale, slate, silica sand, and sometimes even slag or iron ore. Ingredients get crushed together, heated, mixed with gypsum, then crushed again. This mixture gets activated when you add water, and is used to bind things together.

Concrete is what is produced when you mix cement, water, and aggregate (typically sand and rocks) together. This creates a soupy liquid that can be poured into a mold to harden over time into a desired shape.

A Quick Timeline of the History of Concrete

12 million years ago — Naturally occurring cement was formed in Israel after spontaneous combustion made limestone and oil shale react with each other, creating deposits of natural cement.

6500 BC — Underground desert cisterns are built by Nabataea or Bedouin traders to store water. Some of these cisterns are still around today.

5600 BC — Homes in the area of Yugoslavia are built with concrete floors.

3000 BC — Gypsum and lime are mixed to create an early form of cement used as mortar for the Egyptian pyramids.

3000 BC — The Northern Chinese use cement to build the Great Wall, boats, and other structures. Their cement includes glutinous rice.

1300 BC — Middle Eastern builders start coating their pounded-clay fortresses and homes with a paste of burned limestone to form a hard, protective coating.

700 BC — Nabataea or Bedouin traders have discovered hydraulic lime, cement that hardens underwater.

200 BC to 476 AD — Cement and concrete are used extensively by the Romans. They build the Colosseum and Pantheon, among other structures. They use animal products such as a milk, fat, and blood as admixtures to change the properties of the concrete.

1824 AD — Portland cement is invented by Joseph Aspdin of England. This type of cement is still used today.

1875 AD — The first reinforced concrete, fireproof home is built in the USA by William Ward. It is designed to resemble masonry for aesthetic reasons.

1889 AD — Alvord Lake Bridge is built in California, USA as the first reinforced concrete bridge.

1891 AD — George Bartholomew pours the first concrete street in the USA, which still exists today.

1902 AD — August Perret of France designs and builds an apartment building in Paris using steel-reinforced concrete.

1904 AD — The Ingalls Building is built in Cincinnati, Ohio as the first concrete high-rise building. It is 16 stories tall.

1913 AD — The first load of ready-mix concrete is delivered to Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

1915 AD — Colored concrete is developed by the company L.M. Scofield.

1921 AD — Parabolic-arched airship hangars are built

1928 AD — Eugène Freyssinet patents pre-stressed concrete.

1930 AD — Air entraining agents are introduced to concrete to resist damage from freezing and thawing.

1930 AD — Thin shell concrete begins to be used for roofing.

1935 AD — The Hoover Dam is completed, using roughly 4,360,000 cubic yards of concrete. Instead of being one big, slow-cooling pour, the dam is poured in columnar blocks that are cooled by water pipes.

1950 AD — Decorative concrete is developed and begins to be popularized.

1970 AD — Fiber reinforcement is introduced to strengthen concrete.

1999 AD — The Swedish company HTC introduces concrete polishing to the USA. It begins to be used for warehouses, retail locations, schools, offices, and homes.

2011 AD — The tallest reinforced concrete structure is built. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, stands 2,717 feet tall .

Humanity has had a long time to develop and perfect the art and science of using concrete in architecture, making it one of the best materials you can use for your project. Get in touch with Kelly Concrete Co. today to see what we can do for you !

Types of Concrete Tricks to Watch

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 15:08:27 GMT

Over the years, you've worked with many types of concrete in Cedar Rapids, Marion, Iowa City, North Liberty, Dubuque, Coralville, Waterloo, and Cedar Falls, Iowa but aren't sure how to keep it lasting as long as possible. Thankfully, the following tricks can help your pour last as long as possible. These tricks and techniques are all things that we at Kelly Concrete have learned over the years. As a result, we can provide you with some of the best pours that you'll find anywhere on the market today.

Proper Slab Thickness

When you're preparing to pour your concrete , it can be hard to know how thick you want it poured. While professionals can help you make this decision, you ultimately have to make it on your own. As a result, you need to make sure that you fully understand this factor to ensure that things go smoothly. Thankfully, there is a pretty simple solution here – four inches is usually good enough for most situations.

However, there may be sections that need to be thicker than this four inches, depending on the nature of your driveway or parking lot. For example, you should be able to get away with four inches in most driveways but may need to tweak up your approach if there is a high-traffic area that often wears down more quickly. Add an extra inch or so to these areas to ensure that you get the most protection possible for your driveway or parking lot.

Can you go thinner than four inches? Probably not because, at that point, you're putting too much stress on the surface. Though it should distribute fairly evenly and minimize damage to most areas, not taking the time to add at least four inches ultimately costs you more money by putting more strain on your pour. As a result, it is smart to aim for four inches or more, particularly if you want your slab to last longer or resist wear and tear better.

Dealing With Clay Soil

The toughest thing about pouring is knowing what kind of soil upon which you'll be pouring. Unfortunately, there is a good chance that many types are going to be made quite slowly of clay. Clay-heavy grounds are not great for pouring because they have a terrible tendency not to absorb water. They may also lack the kind of adaptability and flexibility that you need to make your pour as secure as possible. Thankfully, there are ways of dealing with this issue.

For example, compacted earth can help to manage many of these issues by providing you with a more substantial base on which you can pour your concrete . However, you may also need to import a separate kind of support for clay to ensure that it doesn't affect your pour. We don't mean importing soil from overseas or anything like that but bringing in outside dirt that you can use as a supporting base for your pour and throughout the rest of the area.

Typically, you're going to want looser earth that has minimal clay. However, you also want to avoid sand – sand moves too much and doesn't provide the support that you need. The balance here can be tricky to achieve, unfortunately, but doesn't have to be too hard to handle if you're smart and take the time to accurately assess the balance of your soil and make adjustments to ensure that it is as secure as possible for your needs.

Proper Curing Steps

When it comes to making sure that your pour is as secure as possible, curing is critically essential. This step is one that may seem like it would be easy – after all, you are mostly waiting for your concrete to dry. However, you need to make sure that you follow the proper steps to ensure that things go smoothly. Thankfully, success here isn't difficult if you understand what you're doing.

For example, you need to make sure that you keep the surface warm and moist for as long as possible to ensure that the surface is as durable as possible. You don't need to water the driveway, as such, but should add a liquid membrane on the surface of the slab after it is finished. This step helps to prevent fast drying and makes sure that the surface cures at a speed that makes sense for you.

Last tip here: try to only pour cement during warmer months, when freezing is least likely to happen. Unfortunately, freezing temperatures can complicate the curing process and cause premature damage to slabs that can be hard to repair. As a result, it is essential to pay attention to the weather and only work with cement when temperatures are at their most reasonable – this should help avoid severe damage.

Proper Winter Management

Lastly, it is vital to understand how to treat your concrete during your first winter with it. Sometimes, people don't fully grasp that winter is often the toughest time for their cement. That's because cold weather can impact the surface in a variety of ways and make it expand and contract in upsetting ways. Therefore, it is essential to take the time to manage this situation as smoothly as possible to avoid any issues.

For example, you should keep salt or other chemical deicers off of your driveway. Using these too soon can cause the cement to expand and contract and may create real damage. You need to make sure that you avoid salt, in particular, by washing it off of your cars and your driveway if you bring it from other roads. The potential impact that it has on your driveway is that severe, unfortunately.

Thankfully, you can avoid ice by using sand on your cement instead. Sand is a good choice because it doesn't cause the same kind of damage that you get with salt. And it doesn't trigger melting as quickly, either, which minimizes your damage potential. One final note: NEVER use fertilizer on your cement driveway as a deicer, even years later, because it is far too acidic and dangerous.

Reach Out to Us for Help

As you can see, the best concrete Cedar Rapids, Marion, Iowa City, North Liberty, Dubuque, Coralville, Waterloo, and Cedar Falls, Iowa has to offer doesn't have to be a significant challenge to pour. As long as you fully understand this unique process and how to perform it, it would help if you didn't have a hard time getting the high-quality pour that you deserve. So please don't hesitate to contact us today at Kelly Concrete to learn more. Our experts have years of experience and will help you succeed where others have failed.

Is Your Concrete Failing? Here's What You Might Be Doing

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 22:24:29 GMT

Home and business owners with cement structural items may end up making mistakes that cause them to fail. Thankfully, the best concrete Cedar Rapids, Marion, Iowa City, and North Liberty, Iowa has to offer can help. These professionals will work with you to ensure that you aren't making common mistakes that can cause real damage to your cement structures. And at Kelly Concrete , we understand all of these processes and can do what is necessary to ensure that they don't end up adversely impacting you.

Poor Structural Support

When you add concrete to your home or business, you need to make sure that it gets the proper support. For example, there needs to be firm land underneath of it that supports it and keeps it from shifting. It would help if you also made sure that the underlayment is as durable as possible to avoid other problems. Unfortunately, many people don't take these steps and end up letting their surfaces degrade. WHen this happens, cracks and other problems will become rampant.

Therefore, it is vital to make sure that your slabs are appropriately supported and strong enough to avoid severe damage. Talk to professionals about this process, including adding new structural elements beneath each slab. Doing so will help you get the help that you need to keep this structure secure and prevent serious cracks and other types of issues that may impact the surface.

And if you have any slabs that may overhang or which may be in the air, it is essential to add support for them as well. This process can include adding columns to add extra strength to balconies and other items for your cement. Again, it would help if you talked to a professional about this process to ensure that you don't make any support mistakes that could cause damage to your cement slabs. Experts fully understand how to support your cement in a positive way.

No Weather Support

People who add cement or other items to their home may think that it can withstand the weather of all types without any protection. This mistaken concept is a real problem because cement and other materials can be very heavily damaged by temperature and weather changes. Understanding all of these problems and how to protect against them is critical as a way of keeping a home in great shape and avoiding damage that may spiral out of control unexpectedly.

For example, you need to make sure that your concrete doesn't get profoundly affected by cold temperatures during the winter. This process includes adding a sealant to the surface that will keep it from expanding and contracting. Just as importantly, you need to make sure that you remove ice and snow and any moisture because this can further damage the surface of cement in multiple ways.

Thankfully, you should be able to talk to professionals to get maintenance help if you need it. A variety of experts can provide the type of treatment necessary, such as cleaning your cement, eliminating various stains, and cleaning the surface from the mold. All of these steps can help to keep hot and cold temperatures, wind and rain, and snow from causing real damage on your cement surfaces.

Failure to Repair Damage

People often don't realize that a large amount of damage can severely impact their slabs if they aren't too careful. For example, structural damage can spread throughout concrete that causes it to fail and slowly crack. However, cement can also be impacted by fire, especially if it is allowed to sit on the surface for long enough. When this happens, the cement will warm up, expand, and could end up cracking throughout in various places.

There are also other types of damage to watch for in cement, including blast damage, impact damage, and seismic problems. Though some of these issues are quite rare, they may still impact a slab. And the moment that an owner sees imperfection in their slabs, they need to do what they can to repair them. Even a small crack can spread very rapidly across the surface and sink deeper to become a real issue that may require professional help.

Do small cracks need the help of experts to manage appropriately? That all depends on your experience with repairs. Some people will feel comfortable working with cement-repair tools and should be able to handle patching and other steps. However, others may not have the skills and feel uncomfortable with the process. As a result, you may want to reach out to an expert to see what to expect and ask for a price before going it on your own.

Adding Too Much Weight

People who build concrete or cement surfaces may think that they can add just about anything to them without causing any damage. And in many cases, they may be somewhat right. While not perfect, many slabs can support a surprisingly high level of weight. That said, there is also a chance that these slabs may end up cracking if the homeowner or business owner puts too much pressure on them in one place.

For example, most slabs should be capable of support thousands of pounds across their whole surface. However, sustained pressure in one spot may cause cracks and other problems that rapidly spread throughout a slab. This problem is most common for commercial businesses that may own a large number of heavy vehicles. As a result, it is essential to move them around to avoid excessive weight-related damage.

That said, even homeowners may cause this damage if they aren't too careful. As a result, it is vital to think of a cement surface as a very strong, but still crackable, item that requires a careful balance between too much weight and too little. Remember: the surface is designed to support thousands of pounds but may end up experiencing failure without proper preparation. Thankfully, this step isn't too hard to do correctly for most people.

Getting Help Right Away

As you can see, ensuring that you have the best concrete in Dubuque, Coralville, Waterloo, and Cedar Falls, Iowa doesn't have to be a significant hassle. However, you do need to make sure that you take the steps mentioned above to ensure that you don't experience any issues. You should also contact us at Kelly Concrete right away to get help. Our experts have years of experience in this field and fully understand its unique demands. And we'll do what is necessary to help keep your cement strong and stable for years to come.

Create A Branding Opportunity with Stamped Concrete

Sat, 09 Nov 2019 19:06:58 GMT

Trying to market your business is often a tough task but can be done in many ingenious ways. For example, you can use the best stamped concrete Cedar Rapids, Marion, Iowa City, and North Liberty, Iowa have to offer to expand your potential branding opportunities. Doing so is a smart way of making people see your brand and logo whenever they visit and enhances your branding visibility.

Branding Helps Spread Your Company Name

A company succeeds based on a variety of different factors. The most obvious of these is the popularity and quality of their services and their products. However, you might be surprised to know that this is only one part of the equation. Any company worth its weight in gold spends just as much time focusing on its branding as it does on making sure that its products and services are excellent.

In essence, branding is the process of creating an image that helps your company stand out from others. These steps often include marketing methods but also focus on concepts such as your mission objective – often called the M.O. – and other factors. A successful company blends all of these concepts, including elements like its logo, into a brand that is intelligent and successful.

Thankfully, there are many different ways that you can brand your company. These include advertising, various types of community fundraisers, getting out in public, and much more. However, talented business owners utilize not only these methods by finding ways to make a company building brand itself. One of the best ways of doing this is by using stamped concrete to stand out in surprising ways.

Concrete Provides a Unique Branding Possibility

When you create a great logo that helps to sell your brand, you need to get it out to your customers in any way possible. Advertisements are one way to do this, but you also need to focus on ways that you can tweak your building and your company's facilities to drive the brand home further. There's no shame in utilizing your building in this way – look at how companies like McDonald's use a logo on their structure to enhance their brand.

Concrete stamping provides a unique way for you to imprint your company logo – and by extension, your brand – into the minds of your customers. Stamped concrete is often considered one of the most attractive design elements of a facility and makes a company stand out from its peers. Just as importantly, your customers will see it and know that you spent the time to craft a high-quality look at your facility.

As a result, concrete stamping is often one of the most ingenious and subtle ways to enhance your branding. It is particularly essential if your building feels somewhat bland or unattractive to you. If you think that your building doesn't catch the eye, your customers will likely think the same thing. Thankfully, stamping concrete is inexpensive and provides one of the easiest ways of decorating your business and its building.

Many Areas Can Be Stamped

The cool thing about stamped concrete is that it can be added just about anywhere in your facility. You can add it to the exterior to catch the eyes of people walking by your company. However, you can also add concrete stamps to areas inside of your building, as well. For example, you can stamp your concrete floor to create unique symbols and designs that attract you and other people in the area.

This type of stamping often makes your brand something that your customers cannot ignore for too long. They'll see your brand wherever they go in your business and will remember it after they leave. So try to place the stamp in places that the eyes naturally fall. Doing so will make it easier for people to not only see it, but remember it as well. And will help make this process much more effective.

The possibilities are endless if you are creative and work hard to make your company stand out. A large number of people often focus on this type of concrete, which makes it a practical and accepted way to brand a company. Just as importantly, you need to focus on creating stamps that are attractive and truly stand out. Too many people many get cheap marks that aren't worth the stamp used to make them.

Finding a Spot That Works for You

When considering stamped concrete for your business, there are many unique options from which you can pick. However, you need to make sure that you take the time to find a place that works best for your needs. Not every piece of concrete in your facility needs to be stamped to spread your business name. However, you should make sure to find those that make your company as well known as possible.

For example, you can stamp the concrete on the sides of your building – if it is made of concrete – to spread your brand. This option is great if you are a large building and you want to attract people to you from a distance. Building stamping is also a healthy idea if you are a smaller business as well because it can ensure that you get the attention that you want from people walking by your company.

However, you can also stamp any other items. For example, stamped parking lots are often an excellent idea for those with a large area. You should try to spread your stamps as far as possible without getting too excessive or flashy about it. Often, people will find excessive concrete stamping to be a bit much and may turn away from your business. Remember – taste and restraint are critical for your branding.

Talk to Us About This Fascinating Process

So if you are interested in the best stamped concrete Dubuque, Coralville, Waterloo, and Cedar Falls, Iowa has to offer you, please contact us at Kelly Concrete today to learn more. Our professionals have years of experience in this field and will do what is necessary to make sure that your concrete is stamped and turns into a great branding opportunity for you and your company.

Concrete Hacks That You HAVE To Try

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:53:52 GMT

Pouring high-quality concrete shouldn't be a complicated process, but too many people make mistakes that can complicate the process. Therefore, you need to talk to the best concrete contractors Cedar Rapids, Marion, Iowa City, ad North Liberty, Iowa has to offer to ensure that you fully understand what you need to do to make your concrete the best possible slab that your money can buy.

When you do talk to them, ask about the following simple tips and hacks before and after you pour your concrete. Each will provide many benefits that make them more than worthwhile for your needs. Pay attention to when to utilize these simple ideas and implement at least a handful when needed. And always make sure that you talk to your contractors about this process to ensure you get it right.

Knowing When and How to Finish Your Concrete

A concrete finish helps to protect the surface and interior of your concrete slab and will work hard to ensure that nothing negatively affects your surface for years to come. However, finishing the piece may be tricky if you don't talk to concrete contractors about this process. Too many people may try to add a finish to their concrete before it is time and make the finish ineffective.

First of all, you need to wait until all of the water has bled out of your concrete before you do any finishing. This step can be a tricky one because your concrete may hold water longer than you might think. The trick here is that you need to wait until the surface sheen is gone from your concrete. At this point, it is typically ready to get finished because it has lost most of the water.

Typically, you're going to want to do a broom finish on most concrete surfaces – this hack is one that too many homeowners don't fully understand. Simply put, a broom provides you with the most accurate and high-quality finishing possible. Unfortunately, troweling and machine floating are often a little too powerful or inaccurate and may cause complications that affect the quality of your pavement.

Proper Joint Installation

Your concrete slabs need to have high-quality joints installed along their surface to ensure that they can expand and contract with temperature changes. Without these joints, your slab will suffer. However, it can be hard to know when and where to add these joints to your concrete. Some may add too many or too few and cut them at a depth that isn't deep enough to protect your concrete.

Here's the basic formula that all concrete contractors use – all of your slabs must be cut to a depth of at least one-quarter the thickness of the piece. Then, each joint must be adequately spaced to create a high-quality slab. For example, if your slab is four inches thick, then you need to cut at least one-inch into the surface at least every 10-12 feet on the slab. This step ensures that your pieces are properly cut.

Make sure that you install your joints at the proper time to avoid any complications. Simply put, you must cut them after all the other finishing and curing is finished. This drying wait will make your concrete strong enough to saw without causing any complications. All of your joints must be as straight as possible because crooked or uneven joints won't expand appropriately on your concrete.

Avoid Salt for Your First Winter

When winter strikes your home and ice builds on your new concrete, you may be tempted to add salt to the surface to melt the snow and ice. This step is understandable, as salt is a powerful anti-ice tool, but is not the right choice after just pouring concrete. Salt has an unfortunate tendency to impact new concrete severely and should be avoided after you pour concrete.

Instead, you should add sand to the surface of your concrete to improve traction and melt snow. Sand is much better than salt because it won't cause any scaling on your concrete. While you may want to use salt instead of sand after the first year of your concrete's life, sand is often a much better choice only because it has less chance of damaging your concrete even years down the road.

Make sure that you avoid the mistake of using fertilizers on your pavement. Too many concrete contractors have seen their clients make this mistake and have had to help them repair damaged slabs. This step is one that is very easy to avoid if you're smart about how you treat your concrete and take the time to add sand – instead of salt or fertilizer – to your surface.

Don't Forget Air Drying Techniques

Lastly, you need to make sure that you let your concrete air dry before you add any sealant to its surface. Too many people try to immediately seal their concrete and end up with a mess that doesn't look great and which struggles from a myriad of issues. This mistake is understandable, as these sealants can help to prevent various types of damage, mainly through freezing and thawing.

However, you need to wait a few hours before you apply this type of sealant to the surface of your concrete. A good step is to wait at least a full day before you use any sealant. This decision will give your concrete not only the chance to dry but cure as well correctly. At this point, you can check it to make sure that it is durable and hard enough for you to use your sealant correctly.

Here's a helpful hack that you should consider for your concrete – the use of fans. Many concrete contractors use high-quality fans to speed up the air curing and drying time of their concrete slabs. Try to keep the flow of air at a reasonable pace and keep the air just above the concrete surface, rather than directly on top. In this way, you can avoid messing up the concrete in any way.

Finding Pros Who Understand These Tips

As you can see, there are many unique concrete hacks that you can utilize for your home or business. Each of these concepts is something that most contractors fully understand already. As a result, you should make sure that you do significant research and find an expert who knows precisely how to provide this care.

So if you're looking for the best concrete contractors that Dubuque, Coralville, Waterloo, and Cedar Falls, Iowa has to offer to provide you with this help, please contact us at Kelly Concrete today to learn more. We can provide you with the support that you need to get the best concrete that your money can afford.

What Causes Your Concrete to Crack?

Sun, 30 Jun 2019 05:30:30 GMT

Trying to pour high-quality concrete in Cedar Rapids , Marion, Iowa City, or North Liberty, Iowa can be involved if you don't take the time to understand what causes cracks and how to prevent them. Cracks in your pavement may seem unavoidable in many circumstances and may be impossible to avoid if you lack the skill to identify situations that may lead to severe cracks.

The following information is designed to help you better grasp some of the most common contributing factors to the cracked pavement in your driveway. Each section will briefly explain why these cracks occur and what you can do to prevent them. Most of the time, you're going to need professional help to assess this problem and to manage them for you reasonably and professionally.

Poor Selection of Materials

Many people may assume that concrete is all the same and that they can get the same results from a product no matter what they buy. That is simply not the case. Many types of cement and pavement materials are designed for more decorative items and will crack if you try to use them for driveways or other high-stress situations. You need cement that is designed specifically for the right purpose to avoid cracks on your driveway.

For example, you should find bags labeled “for construction use” to ensure your pavement is strong enough to withstand regular use. Just as importantly, you need to make sure that your temperature rating is at the right level to avoid complications. For example, some cement is rated for hot temperatures while others are rated for colder regions. Others are for more general use and adapt based on the temperature circumstances.

Adding Too Much Weight

Concrete is designed to be strong enough to withstand various elements but can become damaged if you add too much weight to its surface. This problem is typically common along the weaker areas, like the edges of a driveway, and will spread cracks through the surface very quickly.

Try to move heavy objects off of your pavement, when possible, or simply redirect concentrated heavy items away from each other. Adding too much weight on one spot can damage your driveway, but moving these items evenly across the surface may prevent many of these common issues.

Poor Joint Placement

When your pavement is poured, a multitude of joints will be cut into the surface. These joints are designed to give your driveway some room to grow and shrink and should keep your slab in good shape. However, cracks may appear around these joints if they are poorly cut.

Typically, you need to have joints that occur according to this formula: multiply the thickness of the slab in inches by 2-3 times to get joint location by feet. For example, if you have five-inch pieces, you'd need joints cut at least every 10-15 feet or so to keep the pavement secure.

Extreme Temperature Changes

Pavement is typically strong enough to withstand a multitude of temperature changes, but it may experience issues in extreme situations. For example, rapid temperature changes will cause expansion and contraction with the water in your pavement, which may cause cracks to appear.

Unfortunately, there isn't much that you can do to avoid this problem if you live in an area with regular temperature changes. However, you can prevent some of this damage by adding a sealant or sealcoat to the surface of your concrete . This step will minimize how much damage the sun and ice can do to your driveway.

Poor Drying Management

When your pavement is poured and adequately maintained, no cracks should occur in its surface. However, poor drying management could cause complications with how well your pavement settles. For example, the temperature may be a bit too cold, and your pavement may not dry as well as you'd hope.

Even worse, there may not be enough moisture in the cement, which can cause it to become too hard or brittle. As a result, the surface may start to crack right away as it dries. In this situation, you need to add more water to your mix and only pour on warm and dry days to avoid complications with your drying.

Adding Too Much Water in the Pavement Mix

One of the most significant contributing factors to cracked concrete is when you add too much water to the pavement mix. While water is a necessary part of the pouring process, excess water can water down the cement in your pavement and make it less secure. Though this wet pavement will eventually dry and become strong enough to support your vehicles, it will be more prone to damage than other types.

As a result, you need to make sure that the water added to your pavement is done so at a reasonable level. Typically, you need one bucket of water per every 10-pound bag of cement. Any more than that and your pavement will come out very watery. If you notice that the mixture has too much water, you can add more cement mixture – a handful at a time – to balance out its thickness a little better.

Ground Movement

Though you may think that the ground beneath your pavement is relatively stable, this idea is far from reality. The dirt and soil underneath your driveway are likely to go through frequent changes, such as heaving and settling, that can do a real number on your pavement and cause serious cracks.

One way to avoid this problem is to remove trees from your yard near the pavement. Tree roots often grow under your pavement and cause a variety of soil problems. You may also need to add more stable dirt underneath your driveway before you pour your pavement to avoid this complication.

Help is Available for You

As you can see, your pavement is under a lot of pressure and experiences a multitude of problems that can cause cracks. Although these common concerns occur with just about every type of pavement, they can be easily avoided if you know what you are doing. Some individuals get the best results by merely reaching out to professionals who fully understand the needs of their customers.

If you need help with cracks in your concrete in Cedar Rapids, Iowa or the surrounding area, please don't hesitate to contact us today to get the help that you need. Our professionals will come to your home or business, inspect the cracks in your pavement, assess what has caused them, and will then take steps to ensure that these cracks never become an issue again.

Why Concrete is the King of Parking Lot Paving

Sun, 30 Jun 2019 05:20:06 GMT

Your paving experts have told you that you have two primary choices when it comes to your business parking lot: asphalt or concrete in Marion, IA . They said to you that asphalt is cheaper than cement and is a good compromise if you don't want to spend a lot of cash. However, you should get a cement parking lot for your company over asphalt, even if you have to spend a little more money.

Simply put, the benefits of these types of driveways and parking lots over asphalt are too numerous to ignore. And while your initial installation cost with cement will be slighter higher than asphalt, all of these benefits easily outweigh those savings. You're likely to save money in the longer-term with cement over asphalt, mainly if you work with a high-quality installation and maintenance team.

Higher Strength Capacity

High-quality concrete is among the most durable building material for parking lots, which is perhaps the biggest reason it remains so popular. Although asphalt does have many benefits over cement, the latter option is still the strongest and most reliable. For example, this building option is much less prone to problems such as cracking or distortions when compared to asphalt. These issues often make asphalt parking lots a mess of potholes, depression, and ripples.

By contrast, parking lots made with cement are often stronger, more reliable, and less prone to serious cracking issues. While cracks may occur from time to time in this type of parking lot, they will be less consistent than asphalt. Just as importantly, these types of driveways and parking lots stand up more strongly to heavy traffic and parked cars, which can quickly wear away asphalt and cause severe damage. Regular maintenance helps to make these lots even stronger.

Improved Reflected Lighting

Cement parking lots utilize brighter pavement colors, such as gray and white, compared to the black of asphalt. This design is often easier on the eyes and more attractive than the infinite blackness of an asphalt parking lot. Just as importantly, a cement parking lot will reflect more light and sun when compared to asphalt. As a result, these types of lots are typically cooler to the touch and provide an extra level of brightness that you can't get with asphalt.

Why is this a benefit for your parking lot? Increased light reflectiveness makes your parking lot brighter and improves the visibility through its area. As a result, your customers will be safer because they will see other vehicles and dangerous drivers more easily. Just as importantly, brighter parking lots can also save you a lot of money on lighting. Rather than having to post a dozen lights throughout your lot, you can use just a handful, which is a significant advantage over darker asphalt.

Longer Lifespan

Asphalt parking lots can last you 20-25 years if you utilize a variety of maintenance techniques to ensure that cracks and distortions don't affect their surface. By contrast, concrete pavement lasts even longer. In some instances, a well-maintained parking lot with this material might last as long as 30-50 years. This lifespan will vary depending on how well you repair your pavement and the types of weather conditions that are common in your area, such as rain or cold.

Longer-Lasting parking lots are a significant benefit to a business. For example, you won't have to replace it as soon as you would with asphalt and will save yourself money on these costs. Just as importantly, though, you can also minimize your repair and maintenance costs because cement parking lots don't need as much attention as asphalt. These benefits simply cannot be ignored because you need to save as much money as you can when you're operating a new business.

Better Style and Easier Upgrades

One of the most frustrating things about asphalt parking lots is their uniform appearance. Although you can stain and even add a sealcoat to this material, asphalt always looks back and doesn't have a lot of possibilities for style improvement. As a result, you're going to be stuck with a big black slab that may be strong in some cases but may look quite unattractive. This issue can drive away customers and cause you serious business if you aren't too careful.

However, cement parking lots typically look better than asphalt because they are lighter and more comfortable on the eye. Just as importantly, cement looks cleaner than asphalt because it doesn't have that dark or dirty color. Even better, you can add a variety of colors, textures, and patterns to the surface of your parking lot in a way that you can't with asphalt. For example, you can stamp your business logo on your parking lot to enhance your marketing potential and to create a more professional style.

Safer for the Environment

Although concrete and asphalt go through many types of recycling processes to make them more environmentally sound, cement is by far the greener of the two. Asphalt is made out of oil, which is not a renewable resource and can produce a lot of pollution even during the recycling process. Even worse, asphalt materials will slowly increase the heat in your parking lot, which makes it more uncomfortable and can also cause higher air conditioning bills in the summer.

By contrast, concrete comes from a more sustainable material that is not only easier to recycle but less damaging to the environment. And cement parking lots won't cause the same kind of heat increase that can so profoundly affect your air conditioning bills. Just as importantly, recycled cement is typically less expensive than recycled asphalt, which can help to save you even more money on the installation process and make your parking lot as green as possible without a lot of investment.

Let Our Experts Find You the Best Parking Lot

As you can see, cement parking lots are still the best choice for your business, even if asphalt may seem like the better choice at first. Even if you'll spend a little more money for the initial installation of your parking lot, the savings provided by this material far outweigh this initial cost and make it the best possible choice.

So if you're ready to install a high-quality concrete parking lot for your business, please contact us today at Kelly Concrete to learn more. We serve Cedar Rapids, Marion, Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and many other cities across this beautiful state. Our experts provide some of the best cement installations in the area and will work hard to ensure that your parking lot is secure, reliable, and installed at a price that you can afford for your business needs.

Maintaining Your Concrete Driveway in Just a Few Simple Steps

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 16:56:29 GMT

Even the best concrete companies Cedar Falls has to offer can't protect your driveway from damage if you aren't willing to do a little work to keep them maintained. You shouldn't have to do an excessive amount of work, but may have to spend at least 3-5 hours every six months cleaning and maintaining problems that may develop on your concrete.

How Often You Should Clean

Cleaning concrete doesn't have to be done that often to be effective. Some driveways may go for a year or more without needing a cleaning. However, if you clean your driveway more often, you increase your chances of avoiding serious problems.

Try to aim for cleaning at least once every six months or so. This rate should provide your driveway with the clean and sturdy surface that you want. Remove all the grime, dirt, rust, and stains that have built up on there over the last year or so.

Sealing Cracks is Critical

As your concrete warms and cools, it will slightly expand and contract. That change in a driveway is normal but can become a problem if cracks develop. In most properly-cut concrete, cracks shouldn't develop. However, there's always a chance that a very cold winter storm could cause an issue.

If you spot these cracks, take the time to add sealant to seal them up. Sealing up concrete cracks is critical because – if left unchecked – these cracks will rapidly expand and get worse, devastating the structural integrity of your driveway.

Getting Rid of Weeds

Every year, weeds and grass is likely to grow up around your driveway and even through the cracks. When this happens, they will put a surprising amount of pressure on your concrete and cause damage. Thankfully, you can avoid this problem by trimming away grass, roots, and weeds.

Start by cutting them out of any cracks or expansion joints and sealing the cracks if necessary. Add water protection to the joints, such as stains, to keep it from experiencing any more damage. Cut your grass regularly and eliminate roots to prevent any more expansion damage.

Seal the Concrete Once a Year

At least once every year, you need to add a tough concrete stain to the surface of your driveway. These stains will fight water invasion and keep your driveway strong and safe. Not only that, it will eliminate abrasion damage and minimize UV sunlight damage. Two coats of stain once a year should be more than enough to provide your driveway with the protection that it needs to resist damage.

Get Help, If Necessary

Most of the time, these cleaning tips should be easy enough for just about anybody to handle. However, there may be circumstances in which you need to get outside help. If this happens, make sure that you contact only the best concrete companies Cedar Falls has to offer. With their assistance, you can get clean and gorgeous pavement without difficulty.

Using a Concrete Patio to Improve Your Home's Curb Value

Tue, 09 Oct 2018 07:34:03 GMT

If you have never considered the benefits of concrete patios for your home, you should probably install one if you plan on selling it. That's because these patios can immediately improve the appearance of your home, boost its curb value, and potentially increase how much money that you make when you try to sell it.

Curb Value is Very Critical for a Home

When you are trying to sell a home on the real estate market, curb value is one of the most important elements that you can consider. That's because it often dictates many elements of how much your home is worth and can even overcome shortcomings inside of the home.

That's because a large number of people are more concerned about how their house looks, rather than it's interior design. That might seem crazy, but it is absolutely true. Of course, even the most looks-obsessed home buyer isn't going to buy a home if its interior is absolute crap.

However, they may be willing to buy a fixer-upper if it looks better on the outside. That's because they know that they can improve the interior to match the exterior and create the home of their dreams. And one of the most underrated ways to improve a home's curb value is a concrete patio.

How a Concrete Patio Helps

A concrete patio is an attractive and fun place to hang out, particularly if you live in an area with beautiful weather. These patios provide:

Great outdoor seating
An immediate style upgrade
Cool features and amenities
A boost to your curb value

If home buyers see a stylish concrete patio on a home, they are more likely to consider buying it. This fact is particularly true if you take the time to maximize its features and amenities.

Features to Consider on a Concrete Patio

Before you install one of these patios onto your home, it is important to consider a variety of different features and amenities. These elements create a high-quality appearance and versatility that are hard to top. Just a few features that you can consider include:

Stamped Designs – These improve the surface style of your patio.
Chairs – High-quality seating helps make your patio look even better.
Hot Tub – Adding a hot tub gives you or your home buyer a place to relax.
Safety Items – Rails or fences can protect people from injury.

All of these features will make your patio worth more money, make it look better, and improve the overall curb appeal of your home. Try to find features that you enjoy as well because you can then enjoy the patio while you wait for the house to sell.

Finding a High-Quality Concrete Patio for Your Home

So if your home's curb value needs a little boost before you sell it, concrete patios are an excellent solution. They can immediately improve how much people are willing to pay for your home and will create a great place to hang out. And if your home doesn't sell, you will have an awesome decorative item that provides you with an excellent place to sit and relax.

Concrete Pumping Can Help Create Beautiful Colored Driveways

Wed, 29 Aug 2018 04:55:37 GMT

If you've never experienced the best concrete pumping Cedar Rapids has to offer, then your concrete projects have probably been off-kilter or imperfect. That's because concrete pumping is one of the most beneficial and high-quality ways to create a great colored driveway. If this project sounds interesting to you, it is critical to understand more about it to gauge if it is right for you.

The Benefits of a Colored Driveway

First of all, it is worth knowing why a colored driveway is a good choice. They are designed to be a colorful change of pace for people, one that creates an interesting hook for their home that cannot be denied. Instead of looking at boring old gray concrete, you can make people say “wow” by installing colored concrete that matches or contrasts with your home.

The choice of the color is up to you and is often completely unique depending on the person. Some people really enjoy creating a colored driveway that looks like their home and which matches it flawlessly. Others simply want one that is darker than normal gray and which absorbs excessive sunlight. Whatever choice you make, you should install it with concrete pumps.

The Nature of Concrete Pumps

Concrete pumps are a machine that transfer liquid concrete from the mixing facility and keep it wet while it is moved. They are usually attached to a truck and use a boom control or a robotic arm to place concrete accurately across a driveway or any area that needs concrete application. A large number of concrete jobs use these types of trucks and they are particularly beneficial for home repair or maintenance work, such as installing high-quality colored concrete driveways for a home or business.

Why They are a Good Choice

Concrete pumps are a great choice for colored driveways because they allow a very accurate spread of concrete that cannot be achieved in other ways. For example, you can point the end of the pump house directly where you want the concrete to land. As the concrete pours, you can move the hose to create a very accurate spread of colored concrete.

This benefit is huge because it can save you a lot of money. For example, instead of spending a ton of man hours spreading what can be expensive concrete across your driveway area, you can get it done in a fraction of the time. Even better, you can do it without using a lot of excessive concrete that needs to be hauled away, adding to the time and cost of the project.

Getting Help for Your Concrete Needs

So if a concrete pumping Cedar Rapids projects sounds like it is in your future, don't hesitate to reach out to us to learn more. Our concrete pumping experts can identify the best way to create a beautiful colored concrete driveway for your home or business and make it look as gorgeous as possible.

Simple Tips To Improve Your Basement Waterproofing

Wed, 29 Aug 2018 04:45:20 GMT

Getting the best basement waterproofing Iowa City has to offer involves adding sealant to the inside of the basement in appropriate spots. However, there are several steps that you can take that make it easier for the installation expert you hire to waterproof your basement. These steps will also improve the overall quality of your yard and make it healthier.

Extend The Discharge Lines

When trying to improve your basement waterproofing, you need to keep water away from the foundation as much as possible. For example, you can take your roof's downspout discharge lines and extend them as far away from your home as possible. This step helps to take it away from your foundation, which is where it would typically fall.

You can also extend the discharge lines in such a way that the water falls on sloped land that moves away from your home. This step is critical because it ensures that the water falling from your roof isn't getting all over your yard and pooling in spots that could damage your slope.

Adjusting Your Yard's Grading To An Appropriate Angle

If you find that your foundation is suffering from damage or that your basement keeps flooding, there is a good chance that your yard's grading isn't good enough. You need to have a slope of at least 25-30 degrees over a length of at least 100 yards to ensure that water moves away from your foundation and keeps it from collecting and damaging the foundation.

Landscaping professionals are the best people to call for this service. They can then talk to any waterproofing experts that you plan on hiring and work together to create a coherent plan for your yard. Beyond that, they can also give you other advice to ensure that your lawn slopes properly, that your basement is waterproof, and that your foundation is safe from damage.

Waterproofing Your Basement As Effectively As Possible

These simple steps are the best ways to ensure you get the best basement waterproofing Iowa City can provide. Make sure that you also talk to a high-quality professional who has years of experience in the field and who is capable of providing your basement with the specialized care that it needs to protect it from severe water damage for years to come.

Mistakes to Avoid When Signing Concrete Contractor Agreements

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 18:49:25 GMT

When you have a concrete project, the chances are that you will engage a contractor for the job. As is common with most contractors, you will enter into a contract agreement with concrete companies in Dubuque. A contract agreement stipulates the rules of engagement for the particular project. Below are some of the mistakes you should avoid when signing a contract with concrete companies Dubuque:

Not Involving an Expert

There is the position of contract law when signing contracts. During the duration you have before signing your contract, it is wise to liaise with an individual who is familiar with contract law. Your business lawyer is a great person to help you with that so that you can understand what exactly you are getting into.

Using Vague Language

When signing a contract with concrete companies in Dubuque, you need to use specific language when stipulating the terms of the contract. The timeline of the project, cost, project overruns, and anything that relates to the project should be in clear terms.

Not Writing Your Terms of Contract

A contract can be verbal or written, but in this instance, a written contract is the best. This is because you can sign manually and have hard copies to go back and have a look at. It is easy to violate the terms of a verbal contract than a written contract.

Failing to Get Signatures for All Parties

A contract involves different parties; client, project manager, contractor. It is important for all the involved parties to sign their part. This is because just in case they do not meet their terms of the contract, you can make a claim using the contract in future.

Not Including Contractors Information

Should there be a case regarding your project, ensure that you have the business permits and licenses for the contractor as part of the contract.

Whenever you are engaging concrete companies Dubuque, it is important to be careful with the details of your contract and avoid the common mistakes in contractor agreements.

Tools Need For Finishing Your Concrete

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 18:31:41 GMT

The best concrete companies Dubuque has ever seen perform a variety of finishing techniques on your concrete to ensure it looks great. If you are interested in these tools or in doing some finishing on your own, it is important to understand which types you need and how they operate:

Screed – The best concrete companies Dubuque has to offer uses this tool to prepare your concrete for finishing. It is combined with a darby to carefully smooth you concrete in a large-scale way.
Magnesium Float – Using this tool helps to spot problematic areas on your concrete and to carefully smooth them down quickly and efficiently.
Edger – Dubuque concrete companies use these products to eliminate excessive concrete on the edges of your project and to smooth it down to a clean finish.
Grooving Tool – All concrete jobs need carefully cut grooves for expansion and contraction. This tool helps to cut those grooves accurately in the surface of your concrete.
Steel Trowel – When you are done using the rest of these tools, you have to go over the surface of your concrete with a steel trowel. It helps to even out bulges and dips and ensures that your concrete is perfect.

While you may be able to lay and finish your own concrete, it is probably best to talk to a professional and have them do it for you. In this way, Dubuque concrete companies can ensure that your project looks great and will avoid serious issues with its surface design.

Our Company Does Much More Than Laying Concrete

Mon, 07 May 2018 16:57:57 GMT

The concrete companies Dubuque offers homeowners and business owners provide much more than to lay concrete.

Concrete companies are designers and innovators for alternative flooring concepts. The sound of cement sounds so bland and an unexciting concept for flooring in the home or business. However, technologies in cement flooring are not like years past. Not only is cement an inexpensive option versus fancy tiles and carpeting, it is sleek and attractive. Cement flooring is now available in style such as cobblestone, marble, brick and even wood.

Q. What services do Dubuque Concrete Companies offer?
A.

Poured cement walls
Flatwork
Basement floors
Garage floors
Driveways
Patios
Foundations
Retaining walls
Sidewalks
Pads for grain bins
Basement waterproofing
Pumping and belting
Stamped concrete
Steps
Porches

Q. What makes one out of some many concrete companies Dubuque a leader in the concrete industry?
A.

Uses quality materials that last for years
Takes particular care in all work
High level of professionalism
Embraces communication of style and taste of each client

Q. Does this company serve any other communities then Dubuque?

Yes, this concrete company serves other communities such as,

Cedar Rapids
Marion
Cedar Falls
Coralville
Waterloo
Iowa city
North Liberty

Give this one of many Dubuque concrete companies a call today at 319-373-9500 when you find that your next project involves cement work and get quality materials and quality jobs done right the first time at competitive and affordable prices. Ask about their fabulous, stylish cement flooring. Access their website . They are waiting to serve your concrete needs.

Talk Hardscaping Before Your Home Builders Finalize Concrete Plans

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 18:52:07 GMT

When working with the best home builders Cedar Rapids have around, it is very tempting to focus on the number of bedrooms and square footage when designing your new home. However, if you skip including exterior hardscaping in your plans, you will miss out on entertaining friends and family under blue summer skies. Think ahead now and enjoy later.

Save Time and Money with a Complete Vision

When you hire home builders in Cedar Rapids to include your exterior plan with construction costs, you will save on installation costs later. Every time you hire a pool contractor to install an inground playground, a mason for the outdoor kitchen, and even someone to finish your driveway, you spend more money on plans that could have been done once by your builders.

Sidewalks, Patios, and Pools

Think ahead about all those finishes you take for granted in a mature neighborhood like wide sidewalks and that massive patio around the pool. If the best home builders Cedar Rapids have available are creating your dream home in an undeveloped neighborhood, you will be the one to make sure your home will have the extras you really need.

When You Wait, You Pay Twice for Landscaping

If you are in a hurry for the home builders in Cedar Rapids to get the house up with the thought you can do the rest later, you will have a mess on your hands. For each new concrete add-on your new lawn, shrubs, and flowers will be dug up. Why pay your landscaper twice to finish the yard? Do it once with a forward-thinking home design and plan.

The Nature Of Plastic Shrinkage In Concrete

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 15:29:13 GMT

When working with the best concrete contractors Coralville has to offer, it is essential to fully understand all the ways that cracks can occur. One of the rarely discussed problems that homeowners simply don't understand is plastic shrinkage. This danger is one that can cause cracks that even the best concrete contractors in Coralville would struggle to predict.

The Nature Of Plastic Shrinkage

Plastic shrinkage is a problem that happens when the water on the surface of your concrete evaporates too quickly. Typically, this problem occurs while your concrete is settling after being poured. It often happens during hot, windy, and low-humidity days. That's because evaporation is more likely to be potent on these days. When it happens, the top of the slab will separate from the bottom and lead to serious cracks across the surface of the slab.

Managing This Problem

The easiest way to avoid this danger is to lay heavy and wet burlap or mats on the surface of the concrete. These help avoid evaporation and keep the surface as wet as possible. Make sure that you only lay them on the concrete after it has dried enough to support it. It is also a good idea to water your concrete with a hose for the first several days after it is poured to ensure that it doesn't dehydrate in the sun.

Working With Professionals

The easiest way to avoid plastic shrinkage is to contact the best concrete contractors Coralville has to offer. These skilled professionals will take the time to address potential plastic shrinkage and repair any damage it may have caused. The best concrete contractors in Coralville may even repair this type of problem for free on recently-installed driveways.

When is Your Concrete Job too Small for the Big Guys?

Fri, 02 Feb 2018 13:27:21 GMT

As a homeowner, sometimes you feel like you called in the big guns when all you needed was a band-aid for your house. The reputable concrete companies Cedar Falls have in town are here to help you make the right decision.

Two-Car Driveway

If your driveway is heaving and crumbling, it's going to take more than a Saturday of sweat to break it up, set up the forms and pour a new pad. Give your neighborhood concrete companies in Cedar Falls a ring a get it done in a day.

Six-Foot Front Walk

It's just a few steps from your front door to the street and it's not a very flat surface anymore. With some effort and determination you can get this job done with your friend and a couple bags of quik-crete at the DiY store.

Access Road at the Farm

Maybe your father had the access road to the farmhouse paved thirty years ago, but now it looks more like a gravel drive. This job is destined for one of the quality concrete companies Cedar Falls has available.

Decorative Curb in the Garden

Trick question! If you are just doing a decorative edge for your front garden, stop at the landscaping center and pick up some preformed bricks. This even works if you only need a single step replaced at your front door. Now, if it is a retaining wall that is taller than 8 inches, you will want one of the concrete companies in Cedar Falls to use the right mix and techniques to make it safe and make it last.

Fly Concrete versus Traditional Concrete Products

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 17:44:36 GMT

Q. Do concrete companies Dubuque educate technicians on the latest and greatest innovations in concrete?

A. Yes and we also keep you abreast of all the new and improved methods in the marketplace for concrete finishing and placing. We provide to our customers a gallery of photos of all our finished work.

Q. Is your company sympathetic to our budget range?

A . Yes, absolutely. We offer you quality yet low cost, sturdy, durable materials and customized work.

Q. What worries do customers present to your company?

A. Nothing. You allow us the work and worry of getting to you in a timely; a quality completed job you that you and we are proud of showing.

Q. What are some of the problems your concrete company Dubuque deals with for customers?

The Vulnerability of concrete foundations
Water seepage into basements
Pressure from over-saturated soil
Cracking in the cement
Area droughts
Proximity of root systems of trees and shrubs

Q. Does your company utilize fly ash?

A. Fly ash is relatively new in the concrete industry for the following reasons, which are all positive.

Better workability
Ease of use
Ease of installation
More flexible
Speeds installation
Save money
Does not use as much water in the mix
Smoother surfaces
Many more years of life

Since our company is leading concrete companies in Dubuque , Iowa, we find we are also leading this industry in the use of fly ash and attempting to change the method and thought of all concrete companies using traditional concrete.

Give one of the best concrete companies in Dubuque a call today at 319-373-9500 . for your concrete project. We will return your call as soon as possible. In the meantime access our website for more information on affordable and long-life fly ash.

Why Does Some Concrete Suffer From Poor Stress Tests?

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 15:08:50 GMT

Stress tests are the kind of thing that the best basement waterproofing Iowa City has to offer needs in order to be effective. However, some concrete may suffer from poor stress tests that makes your basement waterproofing in Iowa City worse than useless. What causes this problem to occur in your concrete?

There are a few problems that can occur here. First of all, there can be on-site testing issues caused by poor-quality concrete. When getting the best basement waterproofing Iowa City has to offer, you need concrete that has been carefully mixed for strength and which has been installed by professionals.

Low-quality concrete is typically too wet and has very little cement inside of it. Weak cement in your concrete will cause it to crack more quickly in stress tests and ruining your basement waterproofing in Iowa City . It will also affect other aspects of your concrete, such as its strength and shrinkage, and make it otherwise too weak for most purposes.

Other concerns that can affect the quality of your basement concrete include contamination by pests, poor-quality ground on which it is poured, weather changes, extreme temperatures, and other serious concerns. Managing these situations requires talking to your concrete contractors about basement waterproofing concrete and learning more about its special needs.

Poured Concrete Foundations: What Can Go Wrong

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 14:08:15 GMT

When you think of building or house foundations, chances are you are going to think of poured concrete, right? Poured concrete is usually the material of choice because it is relatively low costing, strong, and durable. Concrete in Coralville is not as labor intensive as masonry. Poured concrete's only limitation is being in close proximity to the concrete plant, as premixed concrete can only be kept in its liquid state for so long. However, there are worries when you call for the best concrete Coralville has to offer. Kelly Concrete can be counted on to guide you through the poured concrete foundation you need.

Poured concrete foundations can be vulnerable to damage that could result in water seeping into your basement. Pressure from an exterior with over saturated soil can cause non-structural cracks, leading to water seeping in through the cove joint. However, it is not always leaks and seepage that home or property owners need to worry about. The withdrawal of moisture from soil below the foundation, especially in times of drought, can cause shrubs and trees to extend their root systems in search of water. This can cause supporting soil to collapse and the foundation to drop, sink, or settle, causing more seepage issues or more serious structural damage. Seepage through or over the foundation can be caused by dry spots in concrete wall that occurred during construction.

If you are building a home, you do not have to spend time worrying about concrete in Coralville . One call for the best concrete Coralville has to offer, and your worries will be put at ease. Call Kelly Concrete today for a consultation and estimate on a poured concrete foundation.

The Benefits Of Fly Ash Concrete

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 14:04:01 GMT

The best concrete contractors Coralville has to offer have been trying to get their customers to use fly ash concrete for years. Why are concrete contractors in Coralville pushing for this type of concrete? And why is it so beneficial for you? Here is a brief look at this concrete type and when you should try it out.

Improved Workability

Fly ash concrete is designed to be easier to use, handle, and install. It is designed to make concrete more flexible during the installation process and to boost installation speed. As a result, it is a beneficial tool for a wide range of homeowners, including those who want to save a little money when hiring the best concrete contractors Coralville has ever seen.

Decreased Water Needs

Fly ash helps decrease your water need by up to 20 percent with each cement application. The benefit of this improvement is obvious. You won't have to use nearly as much water and will end up with smoother and easier-to-apply concrete that looks great for years to come.

Cheaper Than Other Types

Adding fly ash to concrete helps to reduce the amount of cement that you need to use for mixing. As a result, you can save a lot of money on your projects and refocus it on other areas of your home improvement, such as improving window frames.

So if you are considering contacting concrete contractors in Coralville , don't hesitate to ask for fly ash concrete. It may just help your concrete look better and add years to its life.