A Few Concrete Suggestions
|
Up until a few years ago, my professional experience was in industries including retail, energy, health care, and fast food. In 1996 circumstances and opportunity led me into the manufacturing, marketing, and installation of products used for Floor Warming, Total Space Heating, Roof Snow and Ice Melting and Snow and Ice Melting of driving and walking surfaces.
Since three out of the four applications for my company's products may be installed into new pour cementitious material like concrete, I quickly determined two things: first, that anything embedded into cementitious materials is only as good as that cementitious material; and second, that the long term happiness and satisfaction of my many of my customers was dependent on the integrity and quality of the work of others. What I did not know, but I have since discovered, is that not all concrete work is of the same quality and that while my company's heating element carries a 25 year warranty, concrete warranties are generally relatively short. As a result of this discrepancy in horizons, I quickly determined that if I wanted to be successful I needed to learn more about concrete, its installation, and the preparation required to insure a high quality job.
Since making that determination I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to observe and evaluate many new concrete pours and examine a lot of very old, yet still perfectly good, concrete. As a result of these opportunities I have noted several things that exceptional concrete professionals routinely do and I am convinced that these things, along with high quality materials, result in superior concrete projects.For more information go to : http://www.warmquest.com
Please note that I am not a concrete professional and that my motivations for writing this article are limited to attempting to insure that:
a) your concrete will look as good as possible and last for many years in the future; and,
b) if you elect to install my company's snow and ice melt products, or anyone else's for that matter, it is able to serve its intended purpose for many years to come.
Now for a Few Concrete Suggestions:
Professionals: Always use professionals that have a proven track record and willingly provide creditable references.
Dry Base: Make certain that the ground below where the new asphalt, concrete or pavers will be located is as dry as possible. It is recommended that it be covered whenever there is a risk of a storm for one to two weeks prior to the pour.
Excavation: Be sure that your excavation is deep enough to accommodate the desired thickness of the cementitious material, the depth of a sand bed if the heating cable is being installed under the cementitious material, the thickness of the insulation, and the depth of the aggregate base necessary for proper drainage.
Compaction: Proper compaction is essential and must be given a great deal of care.
Make certain that the entire area to be covered by the cementitious material is completely and properly compacted.
Drainage: In order to have proper drainage and to reduce the likelihood of vertical shifting of the cementitious material, a minimum of 6 inches of high quality aggregate should be laid over the entire area, plus one foot around the perimeter.
Reinforcement: In order to enhance the integrity of the cementitious material, reinforcement materials must always be considered as part of the installation.
Examples of reinforcement materials include fibers in concrete, welded wire fabric, plastic lath, etc.
Insulation: Insulation under concrete and pavers is a two edged sword. On the one hand, it acts as a good moisture barrier, reduces the response time of your snowmelt or heating system, and saves money by reducing operating time. On the other hand, insulation does not allowthe heat from the ground to get into the asphalt, concrete, or pavers.
Geometric Shapes: Concrete tends to break into a square geometric shape. As a result I recommend that concrete be poured in square sections no larger than 9.5 feet X 9.5 feet. Pouring other geometric shapes without additional joints almost always results in undesirable cracks at undesirable locations. Each square must always have a joint on each of its four sides.
Jumpers: It does not matter what kind of joint is in the concrete, the heating element should never be allowed to run through it. Always jumper under or around any and all joints.
Thickness: I recommend that the following thickness be observed:
Concrete 5 or more inches
Asphalt 4 or more inches
Pavers 4 or less inches
Suggested Mix: A six-bag mix with fiber or steel reinforcement should always be used when pouring concrete unless the structural or traffic profile requires a different mix.
I am confident that by following the above concrete suggestions you will be rewarded with concrete that looks good and lasts for many years. In the event you purchase a snow melting system and follow the above concrete suggestions you will increase the likelihood that the heating cable is able to perform for years to come by reducing the possibility that it will get damaged or broken by vertical or horizontal movement of the material in which it is embedded.
Larry Lentz
|
|
|
Does Your Home Need Concrete Waterproofing?
Many areas of your home can benefit from concrete waterproofing. If you have a concrete deck, patio or driveway, many waterproofing methods can extend their life and beauty. ...(related: Home Improvement)
Use Ladders Safely
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that eachyear more than 511,000 people are treated for cuts, bruisesand fractured bones from improper use of ladders. Morethan 300 people a year die from ladder related injuries.When choosing a ladder be certain th...(related: Home Improvement)
Building Your Dream Home ? Part 2
Razing the CottageWith new house plans and permits in hand, subcontractors hired and a Septic Design in process, it was now time to raze the existing cottage. I considered employing the local fire department to burn it down, however I chose the demolition route instead. Though I did not contact the Fir...(related: Home Improvement)
Bathroom Remodeling Ideas
Bathroom remodeling is often a popular home improvement project for both new and old homeowners. This may include painting, using new countertops, vanities, windows, retiling, floors, appliances, vents or better lighting. Before embarking on a project of remodeling your bathroom, provided below are a few tips and ideas to make the experience even more fruitful.PlanningGood planning goes a long way in helping achieve the design of your dreams. First decide whether you want to take up the project yourself or bring in the assistance of an interior designer, bathroom remodeling contractor or a home im...(related: Home Improvement)
Prefabricated Home Packages
This is by no means an exhaustive list of what's available in the area of prefabricated homes and buildings. This article is to introduce you to the world prefab. If you're in the industry, you'll probably be cringing about now at the word "prefab". But, the word is one that has become synonymous with homes and buildings that have been partially or fully assembled in a factory setting.I for one am excited to see the latest versions of modern prefabs emerging globally. They're well though...(related: Home Improvement)
Clearing The Air On What To Look For In An Air Purifier
If you are dedicated to improving the indoor air quality of your home, you're aware that there are certain steps you need to take to reduce the amount of allergens and airborne particles. Two of these, source control and ventilation, you may have already addressed. But the third, finding a good air purifier, can be confusing if you aren't...(related: Home Improvement)
Transform Your Home With Decorative Country Lighting
As we become more of a home-based society, many more of us are pouring money into our houses with DIY renovations.Do it yourself home improvement projects are both rewarding and usually will give you a good return on investment should you decide to sell or refinance your home. But you won't need to tear down walls, add closets or buy all new furniture to upgrade or change the decor in your house. Often it's the little things that count. Small changes in lighting alone can alter the look and feel of your home or even just one room with minimal financial investment and time.Consider going country ...(related: Home Improvement)
How To Deal With Contractors (so You Wont Go Mad!)
BE PREPARED -- Building a house is lots of fun, but it's a huge time investment, too. There's a ton of paperwork and planning, so it's essential to establish a system to stay organized. You may have collected articles, paint samples, roofing samples, etc, etc. over the past few months (or years...(related: Home Improvement)
Whats So Special About My Front Door?
"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live."- Flora WhittemoreYour front door welcomes all to your home. This declarative statement of your house -- the exclamation point of your home -- needs to sing out your welcoming note.First impres...(related: Home Improvement)
Mahoganys Beauty And Durability Makes It Ideal For Deck Construction
A couple of years ago I had the chance to tour several newly constructed Adirondack homes. One of the areas that particularly stood out for me while touring these homes were the decks. All used Mahogany lumber for both the decking and the railing systems. The red color and the general beauty of the Mahogany wood was unique to anything I had ever seen before in decking material.After completing my home tours I went out and researched Mahogany further. First, there are several species and colors of Mahogany, supplied by various countries...(related: Home Improvement)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved. | Home Improvement