Picture the ideal project: it runs smoothly, never goes over budget, and takes the exact amount of time you thought it would. Unfortunately, this a fairytale in the home improvement space, especially when taking the DIY route.
Unless you have proper experience, usually DIY projects start with gathering the tools and materials, starting the project, becoming overheated or tired, realizing you forgot something at Home Depot, and then slapping your hands on your knees in an act of surrender.
Although some home improvement projects can be easy to manage, whether that’s sealing concrete or starting a garden, other projects, especially concrete installations, can be significant undertakings, even for those who characterize themselves as handy.
G&G Concrete & Construction has over two decades of experience handling concrete projects ranging from crack repairs and resurfacing to new concrete pours and stamping. In some situations, we’re even called in to fix mistakes that occurred during DIY projects, including:
1. Failing to Calculate Volume
It is easy to underestimate the amount of concrete you need, especially if you are not viewing the project as three-dimensional. Concrete projects are volume-based, not only surface area. Figuring out the amount of volume means understanding the geometry of the project as well as the formula for volume (length times width times height).
When you overestimate the volume you need, you waste money, but when you underestimate, you risk creating cold joints, which happens during pour interruptions. Cold joints reduce the strength of the slab and impact the lifespan of the concrete.
2. Buying Exactly What You Need
Yes, this sounds weird, but while it’s tempting to buy precisely what you need, it’s better to overestimate. Trust us, it’s easy to ruin a mix or fail to pour it out in time, which means that some concrete is inevitably wasted during a project.
3. Using the Wrong Grade
There are different grades and formulations of concrete. Concrete grades have different compressive strengths, and should be chosen based on the expected load, while different formulations have varying curing times and chemical compositions.
While most concrete mixes include Portland cement, aggregate, and water, concrete mixes can have different properties based on the admixtures within the formula and the cement-to-water ratio.
4. Poor Preparation
Ah, if only concrete jobs were easy enough that surface preparation wasn’t necessary, but unfortunately, preparation is a must for any concrete install. Concrete requires a level and compacted surface with good drainage. That means no roots, debris, or loose topsoil! Forms are also needed to keep slabs even with consistent thickness. Some DIYers may also not realize reinforcement is needed (such as with driveways) and may skip it. There are actually so many things that can go wrong during preparation that we could write an entire article just on that!
5. Failing to Level or Work the Concrete
Time is of the essence when pouring concrete. For large areas, you have to work the concrete as it is being poured to ensure the final project will be level and free of voids.
“Aha! But self-leveling concrete exists,” you might say. Yes, it certainly does, but it’s formulated for interior floor prep, not large, exterior projects like patio or driveway installs.
The Moral of the Story: Work With a Professional
It’s okay to not know everything. It’s also okay to ask for help if you think, even for a second, that you might be over your head. Some of the calls we receive are cries for help from DIYers who need help fixing their own mistakes. We don’t want you to have to go through this. Save the headaches, threats to inanimate objects, and wasted gas money on multiple Home Depot trips, and call in a professional like G&G.
What Project Can We Help You With?
G&G Concrete & Construction is happy to take on any concrete project throughout the Macomb County, MI, area. Whether you want to install a decorative patio or need your concrete driveway redone, you can count on us for responsive support and long-lasting results.
Visit our website to see some of our past projects, or contact us today to get started with a free consultation and estimate.
