Anyone have a sense of what patch material this is (image attached). Was used to fill gaps in a cement balcony. The existing structure was simply cut away where damaged around the post, rebar kept in place, and gap filled with the darker patching. No additional coating added on existing cement prior to pour, except on rebar and post. Is this hydraulic cement, rapid set mortar mix, or another patching material with some type of epoxy ..read more

Hey guys, just looking for advice. Guy at work wants me to pour his pole barn pad for him and he plans on using footer mix to save money. I'm looking to recommend against this to him but don't exactly know the specifics of why not to, besides the difficulty of doing the actually pour. I've done a concrete but really don't know the exact reasons of why not to use footer mix on a big pad. Thank you ..read more

Hey y'all, building a garage here in the 413. 24’x30’ 4’ deep stem walls due to frost. No basement. Positive pressure back fill because no basement. I read no backfilling for minimum of 7 days. But thats what im reading for places with basements. Whats the thoughts on backfilling next day in my situation, raising both sides evenly as backfill operations are underway ..read more

Just had our stamped concrete patio completed, I am not sure if this is normal looking or not but it doesn't seem like it, any possible fixes / should we go back to the contractors and ask them to make it cleaner? Not sure what to do, we spent $45,000 on this and are trying to sell the house. I feel like it should look better. When it is raining, the patio floor looks a little better, but when it is dry, it looks like there is dry mud / white stuff everywhere. It was just finished a week... Stamped Concrete Patio Doesn't Look Right ..read more

I am constructing a grain bin foundation. Centerline of footing diameter is 21', footing is 24" wide. I am going to use a 3x3 grid of #4 rebar within the footing. My plan is to use vertical #4 rebar @ 4ft. OC to support each vertical set of 3 rebars, spaced at 4", 19.5 ", and 35" above bottom of footing. My only concern is everything will be encased in 4" or more of concrete (to follow the recommendation of 3" of concrete cover for rebar in concrete exposed to earth) with the exception... Question Regarding Vertical Rebar in Footing ..read more

I have a terrible, sloppy building half underground on a hill. I want to create an asphalt berm along the building to steer ground water away. Those bags of asphalt might be good enough to do this until corrective construction can be done. What is a good adhesive or sealant to apply to the existing asphalt prior to placing the new stuff ..read more

Hey all, A customer asked for a patio expansion for parties (no vehicles or storage). I’m adding a 9x10 slab touching the existing patio and the house wall. I’ve just done 4 in gravel with 4 in pour before. A friend said I should skip the gravel and do 4 in pour with rebar, and dowel the rebar 8-12” into the existing patio slab. Is the rebar approach overkill, since its just for people sitting? thanks! Micky ..read more

Looking for recommendations on the best gauge rake. Cam system rake or the sled style gauge rake. thank you ..read more

Hey everyone - I need some help either confirming my concerns or talking me off the ledge. My home's driveway was replaced in mid-December by an established concrete firm in the Dallas, TX area that has been doing this stuff for 30 years. However, when I came home a week ago at night, the driveway looked really wavy under my headlights (see below pics). There was no stamping or anything special; it was just a straight pour, broom finish. We did as we were told and stayed off it for 3 full... Need professional eyes for validation on driveway ..read more

Greetings. I'm a homeowner to be clear. This job was done summer of 2022. The first piece of cencrete off the steps cracked the first winter.( not current winter but last winter) Contractor came and replaced just cracked piece it last summer of 2023. I did notice then some of the black stripping didn't go to the corner where it met the porch that time so suspect that caused the crack. Contracter said he wasn't sure why but admitted fault. First crack was from corner to other side... Repairing cracked exposded aggragate concrete ..read more