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How to Beat Concrete Cancer

Hello, my name is Tony and this is my concrete installation and maintenance blog. I am not a professional concrete contractor but I am very passionate about DIY. My dad was a contractor and when I was growing up he taught me all kinds of neat tips and tricks. Once time, he took me out into the yard and made me inspect the concrete wall. The concrete was crumbling away, exposing the metal bars beneath. My father explained that this was concrete cancer and then demonstrated how to repair the damage. I hope you find my blog useful and entertaining.

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How to Beat Concrete Cancer

Benefits of a Concrete Driveway

by Eileen Jordan

You might plan to rejuvenate your home's driveway with concrete and be curious about the benefits you can expect. To discover several, consider the following points.

Design Options

The design options for a concrete drive are virtually open-ended. Concrete can be coloured in numerous ways, with pigments added to the cement mix before it's poured. Alternatively, contractors can add stains or dry-shake hardeners on top to produce a blend of various tones.

Plus, you can lay down stencilled or stamped concrete. Stencilling creates patterns on the surface, and stamping techniques add three-dimensional texture. Your concrete driveway can replicate many other surfaces like brick or stone pavers or even timber planks. This versatility allows you to get creative with your driveway and design look to match your landscape.

Low Maintenance

Concrete driveways are relatively low maintenance. Just make sure to follow any sealing recommendations to protect decorative concrete. Because cement forms a continuous slab, you won't have to worry about weeds sprouting across the surface as you do with pavers. The textures and colours of decorative concrete can also hide oil and grease stains so your driveway will look fresher for longer.

Safe

Concrete provides a safe surface for everyone to drive, walk, and wheel bicycles and whatnot on. Because it's smooth and even, prams or wheelchairs efficiently roll along the surface. They won't get stuck in the joints between pavers. Additionally, contractors can apply an anti-slip additive to the concrete, which will improve traction and grip. If you have a large driveway, you could even play ball games on the concrete if it's level.

Different Shapes

Because concrete is poured into the required area, it's ideal for creating smoothly curved driveways. To add interest, you could incorporate a slight bend that leads to the garage or even create an arched surface so that you can drive in at one end and out the other. You can make any shape you wish with concrete, and the edges will be perfectly smooth or perfectly straight — if you want a straight drive.

Thus, concrete forms ideal driveways. You can personalise the surface with different colours and textures to create an endless array of looks. You won't have to undertake much upkeep except to seal the concrete as per recommendations. Concrete provides a smooth, even surface that's perfect for driving, playing sports and pushing prams and bicycles. And you'll enjoy beautifully smooth, perfect edging as well as concrete can be poured into any shape you like.

Contact a local concrete contractor to learn more about concrete driveways.

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