Because the garage receives so much attention, the roads leading up to our homes are sometimes disregarded. This section of our property is directly at the front, and it can either help or hurt the aesthetic appeal of our whole property. A driveway that is not functioning properly poses a risk of injury to the persons and cars that use the space. The building of concrete driveways is not overly complicated: first, a gravel base is laid down, and then a concrete mix is poured on top of it. After that, it is honed, trimmed, and dried out.
Concrete driveways are a common sight in residential neighbourhoods, but if you look closely, you’ll probably find that many of the older driveways are cracked or otherwise deteriorated. Thus, here’s where concrete driveway topping takes over. And for starters, you will never believe these bizarre truths.
1. Misconceptions on Weed Mats.
It is a common assumption that laying down a weed mat underneath is necessary in order to prevent the growth of weeds. But hate to break it to you, but this is not entirely the case. The concrete driveway topping is composed of finer dust particles, which can bind together to form a solid surface; but, in order for these particles to stabilise, they also need to bond with the ground that is already there.
The particles have nothing to bond with if there is a layer of weed mat placed between the current ground and the toppings; this results in an unstable surface. If the driveway coating is unsteady, over time you will begin to notice cracks in the surface, and there is also the chance of water gathering under the surface, which might cause your toppings to become slushy. If this happens, the toppings layer will need to be replaced.
There is no benefit whatsoever to laying down a weed mat because it will not prevent weeds from growing in your driveway topping even though it is advertised as such. If there is a weed mat or not, seeds will be brought in by the wind, and birds will also drop seeds onto your garden, thus weeds will grow there irrespective of whether there is a weed mat. Unfortunately, weeding is a required duty for the maintenance of a garden in the same way that vacuuming is an essential job for housework.
2. Concrete Floor Topping Does Not Work on Severely Damaged Surfaces.
You should never even attempt to resurface a driveway that is significantly damaged. On a surface that is not viable, this coating will not endure very long at all. If your existing concrete slab includes cracks that are very huge in size, cracks that are very deep, or sections that are quite uneven, you may want to get it dismantled and begin the process all over again from the beginning. It is highly recommended that you seek the advice of an experienced concrete contractor who can inspect your property and provide you with their expert opinion.
It is possible that you will be able to have your driveway repaired and topping added if the damage is not too severe. Examples of damage of this nature include little cracks or modest chipping around expansion joints.
3. DIY Is Possible, But Might Not be the Most Feasible.
Even if you can do it yourself, putting concrete driveway topping on your area is not a simple DIY project that should be treated flippantly. Application in the correct manner is required. If the coating is not applied properly, you will experience problems such as chipping and bubbling in the finish.
The following is a list of just some of the usual problems that crop up when resurfacing a driveway: Poor weather conditions (precipitation, moisture, and temperature will impede the quality of your resurfacing job). The surface that was not properly prepared (if your surface is not washed appropriately, the concrete coating will not stick as much). The product was not distributed evenly (If you do not work at the appropriate speed or do not have the appropriate equipment, you may wind up with smudges on your surface that do not look cohesive with the rest of the surface).
It is in your best interest to seek the services of those who hold a solid professional reputation and have prior experience working in your geographic region. However, if you want to try to save money and do it yourself, be sure to watch videos and thoroughly study product instructions before beginning your project. This will ensure that you have a successful outcome.
Now that you learned the bizarre truths about concrete driveway topping, allow me to discuss with you the important considerations when choosing concrete floor topping contractors in Sydney.
A professional who offers their services to individuals or corporations is known as an independent contractor. Generally speaking, concrete contractors are employed on a project basis, which indicates that they are hired to execute a certain task or collection of duties. Finding a contractor that is most suited to meet your requirements at the outset of any concrete project is vital to the overall success of the endeavor.
Investing some time upfront in choosing experts can spare a lot of time and frustration down the road. When making a decision, the cost that has been quoted is one consideration that can and should play a big role, but it shouldn’t be the only criterion. There are a few other things to think about, as well as specific warning signs to keep an eye out for. Thus, here’s a list of important considerations when choosing the right professionals that you might want to take notes on.
1. Accountable from a Financial Standpoint
Does the concrete driveway topping contractor have a solid track record when it comes to finances? When choosing among your options, it is critical to find one that has a strong financial standing and a positive balance sheet. If a contractor manages their own business procedures in a financially sensible manner, it is a good clue that they will handle the expenditures of your project in an economically responsible manner as well.
Keep an eye out for these warning signs: contractors who request payment in advance or those who are eager to take a task for an excessively low price. It is important to keep in mind that the cost that is offered may not wind up being the same as the actual cost of the project. The most responsible providers perform their research before beginning the project in order to provide accurate estimates.
2. Documentary Evidence
Checking the past work experience of the concrete contractors in Sydney you have chosen to pursue further is the first step. A contractor’s track record might provide you with valuable insight into the kinds of projects they’ve worked on in the past. Examine the work that they have produced in the past to determine the level of quality they provide and whether or not they meet deadlines. If, on the other hand, they are a new contractor, you will need to consider other aspects in order to evaluate the effectiveness of their output.
3. Conflict Resolution Skills
Even the most competent concrete company occasionally comes up against stumbling blocks and problems. The way in which they deal with unexpected problems contributes to the overall quality and effectiveness of their work. There is always the possibility that complications will arise with the labour force or the government. Alterations or revisions may even be required for a plan before it can be authorised. It is expected that a qualified concrete driveway topping contractor to be able to resolve any and all disagreements. You may get a better understanding about this by talking to the people who have used the services of a particular contractor in the past.
4. Recommendations and Feedback
References and feedback from previous clients are some of the most helpful aspects that can contribute to your search for a good contractor. You might ask the company for references or you could look up their names on discussion boards online to see what other people have to say about them. Even if the contractor provided the most helpful responses to all of your questions, it is still a wise decision to verify the contractor’s value by consulting references and evaluations.
If the vast majority of the recommendations and feedback given to the contractor are positive and they have a good rating overall, this indicates that the contractor is above average. Be wary and check the web reviews thoroughly if they appear to contain suspicious information. This is due to the fact that some fraudulent contractors pay consumers to leave favourable reviews about their services. As a result, this consideration is useful in making a decision on whether or not to employ a particular contractor.
Here are the application, maintenance and advantages of concrete driveway topping
Topping a concrete floor alludes to the technique of laying a new coating of concrete on top of an existing layer that has become worn out. This is done in order to strengthen the structural stability and longevity of the underlying concrete.
Concrete topping is applied on top of the existing base concrete to give additional structural support without causing any intrusive harm to the surrounding region. In addition to enhancing the base concrete’s inherent depth and tensile strength, this layer’s primary objective is to produce a dense, abrasion-resistant exterior. Its secondary objective is to strengthen the layer. Here are some bits you’ll have to know — its applications, maintenance and advantages.
Applications
- The primary function of the topping is to act as a waterproofing barrier to the driveway.
- The underlying slab derives from its increased abrasion resistance.
- It offers a wearing surface that can withstand the loads.
- It ensures that the floor has a smooth and even surface.
- It contributes to the development of additional load-bearing capability for superimposed loads.
Maintenance
The beauty of concrete lies in the fact that it requires very little maintenance; however, concrete topping does need to be cleaned and resealed on a regular basis in order to maintain its longevity and aesthetic appeal for many years to come.
Regrettably, however, regular maintenance plans are frequently neglected, not just by contractors but also by their end users. Whether you have a huge concrete driveway or a tiny concrete terrace, you want to ensure that the concrete driveway topping lasts as long as possible while also retaining its beautiful appearance for an extended period of time. Concrete can be maintained in such a way that it attracts interest or concrete can be maintained in such a way that people are afraid to walk on it. Understanding how to maintain concrete can make all the difference. And here’s how;
- Make sure your concrete is clean – Cleaning it regularly is essential if you want to preserve its aesthetic value. Cleaning your concrete can assist in the removal of dirt and debris, and it can also give the finished form an appealing appearance. Concrete can be cleaned in a variety of methods; thus, you should select the approach that is best suited to meet the requirements of your particular project.
- Put a coating on the concrete – Sealing can assist it to last longer and preserve its beautiful appearance for longer. There are numerous formulations of sealers that can be used on concrete. In order to avoid stains and damage to the surface of the concrete, topical sealers should be coated on the concrete’s surface every several years. Always make sure to cure the concrete in accordance with the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
- Immediately get rid of the stains – Even though your concrete sealer will better shield your concrete driveway topping, it is still a good option to wash stains and spillage off the concrete as soon as they occur. This will help prevent the stains from becoming permanent. For instance, if you discover that your vehicle has spilt oil into your concrete driveway, you should remove the oil as quickly as you can from the surface of the driveway. Because of this, your concrete will not become discoloured or stained, which will contribute to an improvement in the appearance of the material.
Benefits of Concrete Driveway Topping
1. Response to Heat and Light
Concrete pavements are milder than asphalt pavements because concrete absorbs less ultraviolet light than asphalt does. To fully understand the difference between the two, all you need to do is spend some time in the heat wandering around barefoot on each of the surfaces. Although the ability of asphalt to absorb heat is advantageous during the winter, the disadvantages associated with having a hotter driveway during the warmer months more than makeup for this cold-weather benefit.
The light reflection that standard concrete provides helps to cut down on the amount of lighting needed. Given the amount of light that asphalt is able to soak up, illuminating a driveway made of asphalt may require around a third more light than one built of concrete. The installation of a concrete driveway topping might result in significant savings on energy costs over time.
2. Heavy Load Capacity
Concrete topping in the driveway is a non-flexible, hard substance that is capable of withstanding larger loads than asphalt. Due to the pliability of asphalt, rutting and other forms of damage may be caused by trucks and other high loads. Think about the possibility of additional big vehicles going onto your property, in addition to any larger trucks, boats, or recreational vehicles that you might own.
In a few minutes, we will discuss with you the essential guide when hiring concrete floor topping services.
In the past few decades, not only has the industry progressed, but it has also gained popularity as a result of the increasing effectiveness of its goods in withstanding normal use and abuse.
Because the tendency is, even if you have years of experience working as a facilities manager, there is a good possibility that you know very little about the world of concrete driveway services. You might not be aware of what to anticipate throughout the process of installation, or you might not be certain which coating will provide the qualities that you require.
A general contractor is someone who, as their names imply, possesses the knowledge and experience necessary to perform a wide variety of tasks. However, a company that specialises in concrete driveway topping will have the best knowledge of as well as the most extensive expertise regarding this particular technique. If you are thinking about applying floor toppings or coatings to a commercial space, your best bet is to hire a company that does work of this nature on a consistent basis. This will ensure that the job is done properly. Thus, for starters, here’s the essential guide:
1. Product Utilisation
A concrete coating or topping that is applied by a specialist will perform far better than one that is administered by a novice. On the other hand, the desired outcome will be achieved by the use of a high-quality product by trained experts. Inquire further about the precise product category that they utilise. Just like you did a study on the company itself, you should also do investigations on the product line.
You have a responsibility to find out whether or not people are pleased with the outcomes. Consequently, the term commercial flooring refers to a wide variety of projects and goods, including but not limited to replacements, epoxy refinishing, concrete polishing, polyurea floor coatings, and many others. Before you choose a contractor for your flooring project, you should familiarise yourself with the various alternatives of concrete driveway topping available to you and decide how you want to handle the undertaking.
2. Equipment Employed
In order to do a good job with certain tasks, such as preparing the floor surface or employing floor toppings, you need specific equipment. Acid etching and other such methods are best suited for use in the most limited of do-it-yourself projects. The use of floor mills, chemical stripper solutions, and other expert gear is required in order to complete the task in a comprehensive and effective manner. After all, the cost of the contract includes the expectation that the provider will arrive at the job site with the appropriate tools and supplies.
3. Proposed Timeframe
When it comes to businesses, time is often of the essence, and flooring undertakings that take too long might impede operations if they go on much longer than expected. Keeping this in mind, it is quite acceptable to enquire about the duration of the job as well as the schedule, and a commercial operator ought to be delighted to answer truthfully. It all depends on the size and breadth of the project at hand, as well as the expertise, pace, and resources available to the contractor.
Commercial floor services might take as little as a day or as much as several weeks to complete, depending on their characteristics. Even if the application of new business floor coatings only takes a day or two, it could still be several days before the floors are in a state where they can be used appropriately. If you have this information in advance, you will be able to properly manage your facilities and operations to reduce the amount of time spent in downtime and to avert difficulties.
4. Credibility and Legitimacy
In highly specialised fields such as the implementation of innovative driveway topping services, there is no acceptable justification for a contracting company’s lack of knowledge about the work they are performing. Not only does having the appropriate training result in a job outcome that is of greater quality, but it also results in a significant reduction in the likelihood that employees will be exposed to any health risks.
It is essential to have hands-on experience, but having factual credentials such as certifications and being a licenced trade specialist indicates an amount of competence that cannot be equalled by merely showing up for work. In the event that things do not go as planned with your firm, it is imperative that all of the relevant trade specialists have adequate insurance coverage as well as some kind of bonding in place.
EzyGrind: Fulfilling Your Concrete Driveway Topping Needs
Because of our unwavering dedication to both quality and the complete fulfilment of our customer’s needs, we have emerged as the industry leader in Sydney in the field of concrete polishing, sealing, and floor toppings. And also because of our unquestioning loyalty to both performance and the complete execution of our customers’ needs, we have evolved as the industry leader in Sydney in the field of concrete driveway topping, polishing and sealing.
You can trust that we will always strive to go above and beyond what is required of us, irrespective of the size of the project. Our workforce is comprised of flooring specialists who are WHS compliant and have successfully completed the obligatory OH&S White Card course. After that, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that every aspect of our work is up to the standards established by the relevant state legislation.
Get a quote for our concrete floor topping services by filling out the form below: