Concrete Contractor Tips

Even an outstanding concrete job on a driveway will eventually begin to show signs of disrepair after years of use and exposure to all different types of elements. When this happens, it’s time to consider repaving your driveway.

Especially if you’re DIY-inclined, you might be tempted to do the job yourself. However, it’s important to always hire a professional whenever you are looking to do a paving job as big and important as a driveway. Professionals are guaranteed to have significant experience in getting jobs like yours done properly and efficiently. This is especially important if you are not at all experienced in pouring concrete or paving—it’s better to try getting experiences on smaller jobs before you tackle something as large and permanent as a driveway.

With all of this in mind, here are just a few signs that you need to repave your driveway with the assistance of concrete contractors in Santa Rosa, CA:

• There are large holes everywhere: Small holes happen from time to time, and if they are few and far between, then you don’t need to be too worried about the state of your driveway. It’s the large holes, however, that you really need to be concerned about. These holes can lead to people tripping and hurting themselves. They can also lead to automobile accidents, especially if they are large enough where a tire will sink down below the concrete. Plus, the presence of large holes in your concrete increases the chance of your concrete suffering from further damage. As water collects in the hole, more cracks will ultimately form beneath the surface. If this water freezes and then thaws, the expanding and contracting will likely cause some severe damage to the rest of your driveway. Therefore, large holes should be filled as quickly as possible, or you should have your driveway assessed for potential replacement.
• Multiple holes and cracks: Professional concrete contractors in Santa Rosa, CA often refer to the presence of multiple holes and cracks within a driveway as “alligator skin.” This is the most common sign that you need to repave your driveway. Once you have performed this task, these cracks and holes will not spread, as the smaller holes and cracks will all be filled. If you delay doing this, all of these cracks and holes will become larger and continue multiplying, which means a full replacement of your driveway will be more likely. Repaving your driveway every five to 10 years can help prevent these cracks and holes (which are extremely common) from becoming too much to handle.
• Age: Driveways simply aren’t expected to last forever. Even the best driveways only are expected to last about 30 years. Once your driveway hits 20 years old, you should seriously consider at least repaving, if not completely replacing your entire driveway.

Our team of concrete contractors in Santa Rosa, CA can help you make the best decisions about how to maintain your driveway. Contact Sikes Asphalt Group Inc. today for more information.

We see concrete on roads, bridges, highways, sidewalks and even driveways and house exteriors. But somewhere we often don’t think about finding concrete is inside, namely on floors. With so many industrial concrete appearances, it’s no wonder we subconsciously dismiss this high-powered interior beauty as too “construction-looking” for the inside of our homes. But today, as concrete contractors in Santa Rosa, CA, we’d love to share some expert tips for incorporating concrete in building your beautiful floors.

Placement

Concrete as a flooring material offers many benefits that allow you to fully customize its look and appearance, depending on where you plan on placing it in your home. Additionally, its extremely easy maintenance regime and long lifespan mean that it’s an extremely durable choice for those parts of your home that see a little more wear and tear, such as kitchens, bathrooms or basements and play rooms. Consider the benefits of where you place your concrete floors and where it works best in your home, as well as the feel and look that you want to go for.

Design

Gone are the days where concrete meant gray, barren, industrial-looking slabs of material. Instead, concrete offers all sorts of customizable options to change the look and feel of the inside of your home. Get creative, not only in terms of where to place it within your home, but also in terms of its color, design, texture and finish. Concrete can be dyed to almost any color, laid out in almost any conceivable pattern and textured and polished to offer any number of finishes from rough and homey to smooth and tile-like.

Installation

Consider the length and process of concrete installation when planning your new floors. Installation often takes a full day to several days, and the drying process can take up to a week, so it’s best to plan your design and installation as far in advance as possible, and to plan accordingly. Concrete floors are often a great choice for new homes, but they can also be extremely viable in existing properties. However, it’s important to consider the state of the current floors and subfloors, as well as the shape and layout of your home and concrete floor design, when planning your installation.

Maintenance

The “crème de la crème” of concrete floor benefits is easily its maintenance regime. Concrete is extremely easily maintained, needing only simple daily maintenance and proper washing every few years. Unlike other flooring options, such as carpeting that needs vacuuming and deep cleaning, tile that needs regular grout cleaning and replacement or hardwood floors that need frequent refinishing and proper care, concrete is utterly simple. With a quick sweep or simple wash or mop, your floor will be returned to its original, beautiful glory. While cracks can occur, proper installation and maintenance will usually ensure the life and durability of your flooring.

As concrete contractors in Santa Rosa, CA for more than 10 years, we have seen many homes use concrete both inside and outside, and we have to say that the benefits of concrete flooring are immense. With many options for design, texture, style, placement and extremely simple maintenance, concrete is the obvious choice for planning and designing beautiful, durable floors for your home. To find out more about concrete flooring or to start designing your new floor today, call Sikes Asphalt Group Inc. today.