Friday, November 25, 2016


Page 13 Easy DIY cures for common concrete problems


(BPT) - Have you ever seen a house with a beautiful lawn, lush landscaping, a tasteful and well-maintained exterior - and an ugly cracked concrete drive- way? Why is it that even seasoned, proficient do-it-yourselfers sometimes balk at taking care of concrete? “Concrete can be intimidating,” says Bob Schmidt, national product manag- er for Sakrete, which makes concrete repair products. “There’s an unfair stigma that repairing concrete is a lot of work, but it’s actually not difficult. In many cases, if you can use a caulk gun, you can repair your cracked concrete.” As with other home maintenance tasks, making your own repairs to mi- nor concrete damage yourself can pre- vent problems from becoming worse - and turning into something that re- quires costly replacement by profes- sionals. Here are some concrete repair tasks that you can do yourself, and helpful tips for doing the jobs right: Repairing cracks in sidewalks and concrete driveways


Even properly poured concrete can crack over time. Cracks that appear over time can be caused by tree roots pushing under the slab or a shift in the ground under the slab. As cracks devel- op moisture works its way into minute fissures in the concrete which eventu- ally leads to larger, visible cracks. This is especially severe in winter when the water turns to ice, the ice ex- pands and the cracking process accel- erates. Left unaddressed, cracks will worsen, ultimately leading to crum-


water directly into the crack to force out all loose material. Allow standing water to drain before filling the crack. Once the surface is ready, apply your crack-filling prod- uct per the manufacturer’s di- rections.


Restoring worn concrete surfaces


bling and the breakdown of the slab. Repairing small cracks can prevent them from becoming larger. For cracks between one-eighth to three-eighths of an inch wide, use a product like Sakrete’s Concrete and Mortar Repair, which comes in an easy-to-use caulk tube. Slightly larger cracks can be repaired with Sakrete Concrete Crack Filler, a one-quart pre- mixed concrete repair material in a sqeezable container.


Cracks should be wide enough to accept the tip of a caulk gun. Larger cracks may require a concrete repair product similar to the one you would use to repair broken or uneven con- crete.


For any size crack, begin by clean- ing the crack and the concrete around it. Use a wire brush or screwdriver to remove loose chips and dust from the crack. Then, using a garden hose, squirt


While concrete is one of the most durable surfaces in your outdoor environment, like any other material that’s exposed to the elements and vigorous use, it can start to look worn. Pitting and cracking not only look bad, they can ultimately lead to severe breakdown of the surface.


Before you pay a professional to perform the labor-intensive task of rip- ping up the old concrete and pouring new, consider resurfacing your worn concrete driveway, sidewalk or pathway. While resurfacing is a little more work than simply patching cracks, it’s still well within the abilities of most DI- Yers.


Products like Sakrete’s Flo- Coat Resurfacer pour over the existing concrete and, when properly applied, create a du- rable, visually appealing new surface. Be sure to clean the concrete first - especially if there are oil stains - and follow the manufacturer’s directions for application to ensure the


High-tech homes make everyday living simpler


(BPT) - If you find yourself wonder- ing how you ever got along before your smartphone, laptop and GPS, you’re not alone. Technology is so much a part of how we go about our days that we often take it for granted. However, in many cases, houses haven’t caught up to the same technological standards as the gadgets people carry with them 24/7. But that’s all about to change, as new ideas begin to revolutionize the way we view our homes. Technology can do two things: First, it can make everyday tasks simpler and faster. Second, it can enable us to do things that weren’t possible before. So when it comes to your home, having technology on your side can make a big difference - in terms of time, energy and money savings. If you want your home to join the world of high-tech liv- ing, consider these solutions: • Entertaining made easier: Part of


the fun of owning a home is inviting friends and family to come over. Be- cause everyone has a busy schedule these days, planning and hosting a par- ty needs to as easy as possible. With the help of some smart new audio systems, setting the mood with music is a snap. Bluetooth-streaming stereos like iLuv’s MobiRock let you control the music from wherever you are, right from your smartphone - no more having to leave your conversation to go turn the music up or down, or switch to a new track. The Aud 5, also from iLuv, fea- tures a dock that accommodates Light- ning, the next generation connection port on the latest iPhones and iPods. Since you can charge your device while using Bluetooth to control it, there’s no worry about the music stopping in the middle of your party. • Staying secure: Protecting belong- ings and family in the home has been


a priority since time immemorial, but now there are far better ways to do it. While everyone wants protection, in the past state-of-the-art home security technology has been well out of many homeowners’ budgets. But that was then - today, protecting your home is be- coming much more affordable, and the average homeowner can install high- quality security cameras that make it easy to always keep an eye on your property. Polaroid’s line of Wireless IP security cameras include both indoor and outdoor models, can be operated via computer or smartphone and even let you send snapshots via email. Whether you just want to check in while you’re at the office or during a weekend getaway, security cameras make it easier to know that your home is safe. • The automated home: It’s inevi- table - a few hours into what’s sup- posed to be a relaxing vacation, you’ll


wonder, “Did I leave the lights on?” or “Were the window shades left open?” The stress of not knowing - and not be- ing able to do anything about it - might soon be a thing of the past. Reasonably priced home automation systems that allow you to take care of those little household chores remotely are already available. TaHomA, from Somfy Sys- tems, enables you to schedule and su- pervise window coverings, lighting and thermostats. Using an iPad, iPhone or computer, you can make adjustments from within or outside the home in just a few clicks. Technology has changed virtually every facet of business and commu- nication - it only makes sense that our homes will be the next frontier of in- novation. As you consider all the ways to make your life simpler, keep in mind that a high-tech solution will be able to help, now and in the future.


best possible results. Leveling uneven concrete Concrete slabs that have separated at the joint, leaving one higher than the other are not only unslightly, but can pose a tripping hazard. Rather than tearing up and repouring the uneven area, consider using concrete repair patching material to level the area. A concrete repair material like Sakrete’s Top ‘n Bond can be applied in layers, using a trowel. It allows you to not only fill in cracks, but also level out uneven concrete.


“Many common concrete problems can be easily and quickly addressed by the average homeowner, using the right products and a little bit of elbow grease,” Schmidt says. “Tackling concrete re- pairs on your own can save you time and money - and leave you with a great-look- ing end result, as well as the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.”


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