OC Decks

Pooling water under a crawl space can indicate the foundation isn’t draining well. Check for leaky pipes and clogged gutters to rule out other causes.

Driveways should have a slope of a quarter inch per foot of asphalt. This slope will help the asphalt drain water off of the surface. If you notice puddles forming on your driveway, talking with an expert will help you avoid costly repairs.

What types of concrete molds can be created with pre-cast concrete? There are literally dozens of types of molds that can be used for a build, including walls, various structural elements, such as columns, storm drains, tunnels, and much more.

A major benefit of concrete building materials is the relatively low level of maintenance they require. Since concrete is inert, compact, and nonporous, it doesn’t attract mold or lose its main properties over time.

When did pre-cast concrete molds become the standard for building? The use of pre-cast concrete was pioneered in Liverpool, England in 1905. John Alexander Brodie was the civil engineer who spearheaded the idea and made it common practice.

A building’s foundation serves two purposes. First, it keeps you from having to sweep a dirt floor. Second, it supports the building and keeps it horizontal. Make sure you are investing in a foundation that does more than keep dirt from underfoot.

So why is water a main component in any concrete mix? Basically, water is needed to chemically react with the cement and provide workability with the concrete. The lower the water to cement ratio, the stronger the concrete, as higher strength is based on lower permeability.

The performance characteristics of modern concrete depend on how they are produced. Indeed, each formula differs from the other as a result of above or below ground pressures and pressures force, as well as due to gravity, soil type and heaviness, erosion, abrasion, and design mix proportions and content.

One of the benefits of investing in a basement foundation is the potential you give yourself for expansion down the road. Later on, you can always finish that basement area and add extra living space to your home.

More and more people are building homes with concrete because of its strength, durability and ability to reflect sunlight. One out of every 9 homes built in 2008 relied on concrete, according to the Portland Cement Association.

What is slurry? We’re glad you asked. It’s a general term for the sand, gravel, water and cement that are blended into a smooth, flowable mixture that can be pumped underneath foundations and slabs to lift and stabilize them.

Care to guess how much concrete is recycled across the U.S. every year? If you guessed 140 million tons worth, you're right. Recycling is just one strategy employed by the green movement, though. Other goals are repurposing and reusing concrete, steel, and other materials like wood and paper.

Once the footings are poured and cured, a building inspector will be called to the site to make sure everything has been done properly prior to pouring the walls of the foundation. While different areas have different requirements, arranging for an inspector is not a difficult process.