Tag Archives: concrete restoration

3 Tips to Get Ready for Spring 2022

Spring is almost here, and it’s time for a lot of changes in our environment. Whether it’s more rain, less cold, or more pollen, there are a few things that we can do to get our home and property ready for the spring weather. While many of us take up D.I.Y. projects once warmer weather hits, we might want to ignore bigger projects that our home needs. However, these projects will save you money in the long run by completing them while the problem is not debilitating.

Fix Up Concrete Cracks

This spring, it’s time to fix up those sidewalk, deck, and driveway cracks you’ve been avoiding. Unfortunately, these “little cracks” can add up to big problems in the future. During the winter, water can get into the cracks and then freeze. This can cause even bigger issues. Additionally, when water gets underneath the slab, it can cause erosion which may lead to empty areas beneath your concrete slabs that are not supported. One great way to resolve this issue, and the issue of cracked or uneven concrete, is with concrete restoration. There’s no need to fully replace a concrete slab when you can simply resolve the issue. Contact Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry for more information on our solutions.

Check on Sump Pumps

If you have a sump pump in your basement or crawl space, you probably rely on it to protect you against any water that happens to make its way into your home. Unfortunately, when sump pumps are not maintained they aren’t going to protect you. This is why it’s so important for the regular maintenance of your sump pump. If you’re not sure how to do this, it’s time to call in the professionals. If your sump pump has reached its max lifetime and isn’t doing the job like it used to, it might be time to repair or replace it. A sump pump is an invaluable part of any waterproofing system in homes with recurrent waterproofing problems. Put this on your spring honey-do list!

Check Your Foundation for Cracks

Over the winter season, the variable weather and temperatures can wreak havoc on your foundation. This means that you could end up coming out the other side with cracks in your foundation. While these may not do much, to begin with, over time they can let in water and pests, grow bigger and more dangerous to your foundation, and eventually turn into bowing walls. Bowing walls lead to a very unstable foundation, and they need to be fixed immediately and can cost big bucks. However, when you catch foundation cracks from the beginning, you’re going to save a lot of money. This is why it’s so important to do a regular check of your foundation, inside and out, to make sure that everything is up to par. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, give us a call at Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry is Happy to Help This Spring

Whether you need foundation repair help, have waterproofing woes, or you’re interested in concrete restoration, Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry is happy to help. Contact us for more information and get a free estimate. Let’s make this spring 2022 a great one for your foundation.

Best Time of Year For A Concrete Restoration Project

Concrete Restoration Project this Spring

According to the American Concrete Institute (ACI), the spring and autumn months are the most effective time to pour concrete and commit to concrete restoration projects. Why is this the case? For starters, temperature plays a huge role in concrete’s capacity to dry effectively. More specifically, hot weather creates problems with the mixing, the placing, and the curing of cement concrete. When temperatures rise above 80%, this can adversely affect the properties and serviceability of the concrete.

In a report researched by an ACI committee, research suggests, “Environmental factors, such as high ambient temperature, low humidity,
high wind, or both low humidity and high wind, affect concrete properties
and the construction operations of mixing, transporting, and placing of the
concrete materials. ” In other words, contacting a professional Concrete Restoration contractor is very important when considering a concrete restoration project. The process of restoring concrete is not something that can be done alone. It is a time consuming job that requires expert knowledge and experienced handlers.

Aesthetic Appeal and Safety Concerns

Aside from the time of year, you should also have a pretty clear understanding of why you need concrete foundational work done on your home or business. Typically, there are two reasons that call for concrete restoration work: 1) Aesthetic Appeal-which means beautifying your home and business or 2) Safety Concerns-cracks, gaps, and un level concrete can be very dangerous. Many times clients will call a professional because they want to fix the safety concerns and get increased image appeal as well. After all, adding more value to your home makes sense since this is the place you live in, work in, and raise a family in. Wanting a more beautiful home makes a lot of sense.

Call A Professional

Call a professional contractor today if you have any questions regarding the right time to complete your concrete restoration project. In the end, concrete work can save you time and money if it is done right the first time. That’s why you should contact Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry to update all of your foundation, concrete, and restoration needs. Give us a call at 804-674-0273 or reach us via Contact Form.

Brick, Stone, & Masonry Problems in Virginia

Common Problems with Brick, Stone, & Masonry in Richmond, VA

It is hard to escape the masonry problems that affect older homes in Richmond, VA. At one time or another, you are likely to encounter these issues. Nothing is indestructible, especially when it is constantly exposed to rain, snow, hail, wind, heat, and freezing temperatures. Your brick, stone, and masonry will get old and broken down, just like a roof, or any other part of your home or business. That is why you need to take care of it as you would any other part of your home or business. Some common problems that can affect brick, stone, and masonry are:

Crumbling – created through water damage, foundation failure, and/or age.
Chipping – caused by age, water damage, foundation failure, and a variety of other problems.
Flaking – caused by water seeping into bricks through pores, and heat making the brick expand and flake.
Cracking – floor, ceiling, wall, stair step, and foundation cracks are all things that you should watch out for.
Efflorescence – a white, crusty calcium residue left over when water evaporates and leaves a salt covering behind.

Masonry Problems & Repair Solutions by Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry in Virginia

These issues are all common problems that affect brick, stone, and masonry, so if you notice these problems around your Virginia home, make sure to contact us here at Reliable Waterproofing & Masonry as soon as possible. These could be signs of more urgent problems, especially if you are noticing more than one. Luckily, we have a variety of solutions such as brick re-pointing, concrete restoration, masonry repair, foundation repair, and waterproofing.

So, no matter what your problem may be, we can help. Our team of professionals is experienced and knowledgeable in all areas of repair, and many of our repair tools and products are supplied by Earth Contact Products–also known as “the Very Best” in foundation repair and waterproofing products–so you can rest easy knowing you area receiving top quality repairs, products, and service. Contact us today to learn more about our foundation repair, waterproofing, and masonry problems and repair services. Our service area includes Richmond, Virginia and all of Northern Virginia. Give us a call today!