Exterior Home Repair

Staining new concrete is just like staining any other type of concrete except that you must be sure to remove any curing agents before you start staining. Otherwise, the concrete may not absorb...

Erosion caused by plant roots or water drainage from the roof or the surrounding soil will often attack the corner of a structure's foundation. Sometimes the adjoining vertical walls of the home...

Water damage through excessive rain and flooding can create cracks in housing foundation and surrounding sidewalks. These cracks are created through drying shrinkage and usually widen over time...

Potholes and cracks in driveways are not only unpleasant in appearance, they can make you trip or fall. A small crack accumulates water, and in the winter, the freeze and thawing cycles cause...

People take pride in the condition of their homes, inside and out. It is common for debris to blow onto your sidewalk or driveway. You dutifully break out the push broom and remove it. However, if...

A leaning wooden deck is often more than an eyesore. It can also be a safety hazard. It is best to repair the problem as soon as possible to prevent any accidents or further damage to the deck....

Mailmaster mailboxes are mounted by securing them to a wooden post. The post is buried in the ground to secure it, and the mailbox slides over the top. Two wood screws anchor the mailbox to the...

Driveways see a lot of wear and tear. Not only are they constantly exposed to the weather elements, but they see a lot of foot and car traffic as well. It's no wonder that, over time, cement...

Over time the ground on which a house is built will begin to settle. The house will shift, and the foundation can begin to crack. Poor rebar reinforcement and construction can also lead to...

As far as building construction goes, nothing beats concrete blocks for flexibility in function and design. Concrete blocks come in a variety of sizes and shapes and can also be cut to suit. They...

It's often said there's more than one way to skin a banana, and the same can be said for home improvement projects, like building your own concrete patio. You can have all the bells and whistles,...

Installing a mailbox is one of the easiest ways to spruce up your home's curb appeal. The project is inexpensive and takes only about half a day to complete. While you can get creative when...

Most houses have some concrete surfaces: walkways, walls, foundation, floors and patios. Nothing mars the cleaniless of concrete like rust stains. Following these tip will clean the rust marks fom...

There are many household tasks that could use the force of a water blasting system. This includes work on driveways, walkways, stonework, and sidewalks. It could be simply to remove extra debris;...

Freeze-thaw cycles, tree roots and age can all eventually cause spalling or cracking to a concrete driveway. Such damage poses a risk of injury to anyone walking on the uneven surface and also...

Over time, those once brand new concrete steps will become cracked and chipped. The thaw-freeze cycle can make matters even worse. Water can seep between the cracks and freeze, expanding the...

Concrete is used by homeowners because it is extremely durable and resistant to stains. In addition there are many attractive finishes that can make your concrete decorative and perfect for indoor...

A beautiful, clean concrete driveway is an important statement to passers-by about how you take care of your property. But because one's driveway is often the main point of entry for the property,...

Completing concrete projects around the house often leaves a mess. Cleaning it up before it dries is preferable but not always feasible. Finding dried concrete on the surface of vinyl siding might...

We find many uses for concrete nowadays. From the foundations that buildings sit upon to the sidewalks we use, concrete is used wherever a solid, stable surface is needed. When ordering concrete...

A splash block is usually a concrete pad placed at the bottom of a gutter's downspout to direct rainwater away from the building's foundation. These blocks are often concrete formed into a tray...

Concrete is a very strong and durable material made from cement, sand, water and aggregate. It is used to build many interior and exterior elements, including sidewalks and patios. One of the most...

Over the past few years, quality of construction of mobile homes has improved, yet the cost to produce these homes represents a huge savings over the cost of building a "stick framed" home. If...

A hairline crack between a house and its cement steps is normal. But what causes a large gap? Concrete starts out as a pliable substance, then solidifies with age. Cement steps may pull away from...

Rust stains on concrete are often a problem for those using well water due to the higher iron content in the water. Rust buildup usually occurs over time on driveways, patios, porches and...

Many homeowners with concrete decks and patios will face damaged concrete at some point. Inclement weather combined with heavy foot traffic can be very taxing on a concrete surface. As a...

Building a walkway out of concrete can be a good idea if you are looking for a material that can last for a long time and withstand the daily pressures the environment can throw at it. Concrete...

Concrete is a very durable material. It can withstand almost any type of weather and it will last for a long time under high traffic. Unfortunately, concrete can also become undermined if it...

According to the website Cleaning.Tips.Net, woodworking cleanups are some of the most common in the home because woodworking projects are some of the most common projects. Of these cleanups,...

Over time, sidewalks, driveways and other concrete floorings can become weathered, cracked and damaged. Too much damage can cause concrete pads to weaken structurally. You can repair the...

Concrete expands and contracts vigorously with the changing weather conditions. This back-and-forth expansion and contraction cycle takes its toll on concrete. Contractors cut gaps between...

Sealing a concrete driveway ensures that water does not seep into the concrete and damage it. The sealer also will guard against wear and tear caused by your car and various chemical elements,...

Over time, environmental conditions can cause concrete to become weathered or damaged. A concrete overlay is an effective way of repairing old concrete. The process for creating a concrete overlay...

Stucco is a building material made from Portland cement, sand, lime and water. It is very similar to plaster and is primarily used in exterior applications. Stucco can be used to create a highly...

Black powder and sulfur from fireworks can create stains on cement which are moderately difficult to remove. Many harsh chemical solvents can further stain and damage the concrete surface. The...

The worst things that can happen to cured concrete are cracks and holes. These can undermine the structural integrity of the concrete, which can lead to a collapse. If you notice your concrete...

Many fertilizers, including some Scott products, contain iron. If you don't sweep excess fertilizer off concrete driveways and sidewalks, orange rust stains will appear when it rains or gets...

Concrete can upgrade the usability of areas of ground around your house. Pouring a concrete pad for a back porch or the base of a utility shed is a fairly simple procedure provided you have the...

Inspection of your home's foundation should be part of annual maintenance. Severe weather with heavy rains and exceptional freezing and thawing can lead to foundation shifting. This shifting can...

Over time, even properly poured concrete steps can develop small cracks or chips. These imperfections can lead to greater damage as the concrete is subjected to the freeze-thaw cycle and water...

Concrete will crack. Despite the best efforts of the contractor or homeowner who pours concrete, cracks do develop. Crack-free concrete is rare. In the day-to-day world of the average homeowner...

Concrete stairs are able to withstand the rigors of daily use without the constant maintenance worries associated with wood. Unfortunately, moisture will slowly break down the surface of the...

If you are tired of your old concrete steps but do not want to tear them out and start over, refacing them is a good option. When it comes to refacing, the possibilities are limitless if your...

Concrete is more porous than it looks, and is easily stained with things like rotting leaves, bird droppings, tree sap, and--especially--oil leaks from cars. The best way to address stains is to...

Concrete is not forever. Over time, small hairline cracks can form and become larger with weather and wear and tear. Small holes in slabs can grow deeper, especially in high traffic areas, such as...

You can lay outdoor carpet over concrete steps during a weekend. If you've ever laid vinyl before, you already have a good idea about what the job will be like. As with most projects, you must...

Concrete expands and contracts with the weather. If a concrete project has been poured to a proper thickness with reinforcement inside, it should last for a long time. However, shoddy concrete...

Laying porcelain tile over concrete can be done. However, you need to make sure that your measurements are precise and that you have prepared the concrete floor before you start. Having the right...

Concrete repair is fairly simple. However, if you fail to bond the old concrete to the new, your great-looking repair could have a life of less than a year. If you want to repair gouged concrete,...

If you have stains on your colored concrete patio, walkway, driveway or basement floor, rest assured that the stains can be removed. Stains on colored concrete should always be treated immediately...