The Importance of Concrete Waterproofing: Preventing Costly Damage

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The Importance of Concrete Waterproofing: Preventing Costly Damage
  • September 21, 2023
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Concrete waterproofing is an essential aspect of construction and maintenance in Oklahoma City (OKC) to prevent costly damage to walls and roofs. Water intrusion can lead to a host of issues, including structural damage, mold growth, and even compromising the safety and longevity of your building. Here, we’ll emphasize the importance of concrete waterproofing and how it can save you from expensive repairs down the road.

Protecting Your Investment in OKC

  • Wall Waterproofing in OKC: The exterior walls of your property are the first line of defense against the elements. Waterproofing these walls is crucial to prevent water from seeping through and causing damage. Without proper wall waterproofing in OKC, moisture can infiltrate your building, leading to cracks, mold growth, and even compromising its structural integrity. Over time, this can result in costly repairs and decreased property value.
  • Roof Waterproofing in OKC: Your roof is another vulnerable area when it comes to water intrusion. Oklahoma City experiences its fair share of rain and storms throughout the year. Roof waterproofing in OKC ensures that your roof remains leak-free, protecting the interior of your property from water damage, which can include damaged insulation, ceilings, and even electrical systems.

Concrete Waterproofing in Oklahoma City

  • Foundation Protection: Proper concrete waterproofing in Oklahoma City is essential to safeguard your building’s foundation. A compromised foundation can lead to a host of issues, from uneven floors to structural instability. By investing in concrete waterproofing, you’re proactively protecting your property’s foundation from moisture damage.
  • Mold Prevention: Moisture infiltration can create an ideal environment for mold growth – mold not only poses health risks but can also result in extensive cleanup costs and reduced air quality within your building. Concrete waterproofing helps keep moisture at bay, reducing the risk of mold infestations.
  • Increased Lifespan: Waterproofing your concrete surfaces, whether it’s walls, roofs, or foundations, extends the lifespan of your property. It prevents the deterioration of materials due to water exposure, ultimately saving you money on repairs and replacements.
  • Energy Efficiency: Waterproofing can also contribute to energy efficiency. By keeping moisture out, your building’s insulation remains effective, reducing the strain on heating and cooling systems. In time, you’ll finally save money on those dastardly energy bills.

To summarize, concrete waterproofing in Oklahoma City, including wall and roof waterproofing, is a wise investment that can prevent costly damage to your property. By taking proactive measures to keep water out, you protect your building’s structural integrity, reduce the risk of mold, and increase its overall lifespan. Don’t wait for water damage to take its toll; consider concrete waterproofing as a preventative measure to safeguard your investment and ensure peace of mind.

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French Drain Maintenance: Tips to Keep Your Drainage System Effective
  • September 21, 2023
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Maintaining your French drain system is essential to ensure that it continues to effectively manage excess water and prevent water-related issues around your property. After all, nobody wants to experience problems with their drainage and water systems. If you’re ready to maintain French drains, here’s the advice you need!

 

Regular Inspection: Periodically inspect your French drain to identify any signs of clogs, damage, or soil erosion. Check the drain’s surface and surrounding landscape for any visible issues.

Clear Debris: Remove leaves, branches, dirt, and other debris that may accumulate on the drain’s surface. Sadly, debris can block the flow of water into the drain and reduce its effectiveness.

 

Monitor Grading: Ensure that the landscape grading around the drain remains intact. Over time, soil can settle or erode, affecting the drain’s ability to divert water away from your property. So, you’ll want to add soil as needed to maintain the proper slope.

 

Clean the Drainage Pipe: If your French drain includes a perforated pipe, make sure it remains clear of silt, roots, or other obstructions. You can use a plumbing snake or pressure washer to clean the pipe if necessary (or contact experts for assistance, of course!).

 

Inspect and Repair the Outlet: Check the outlet where water exits the drain system and ensure it’s clear and that water flows freely away from your property. Also, repair any damaged or blocked outlets.

 

Control Vegetation: We all love plants and flowers, but avoid planting trees or shrubs with aggressive root systems near the French drain, as they can invade and block the drain pipes. Regularly trim and maintain existing vegetation to prevent root intrusion.

 

Use Gravel or Drainage Fabric: If your French drain system includes a gravel bed, check for sediment buildup and replace the gravel if it becomes clogged. Using drainage fabric can help prevent soil from infiltrating the gravel and clogging the system.

 

Address Sump Pump Issues: If your French drain system is connected to a sump pump, the pump needs to be in good working condition. Therefore, we recommend testing it regularly and replacing it if it malfunctions.

 

Winter Preparation: In areas with cold winters, protect your French drain from freezing. Ensure that water doesn’t pool and freeze within the system, as this could damage pipes and reduce effectiveness. Depending on your location, you might also want to insulate exposed pipes for added protection.

 

Prevent Soil Erosion: Installing erosion control measures like mulch, ground cover, or retaining walls can prevent soil erosion near the drain’s inlet or outlet.

 

Professional Maintenance: Consider hiring a professional drainage contractor to perform periodic maintenance and inspections of your French drain system – they do all the training so you don’t have to. They can diagnose and address more complex issues and ensure the system’s optimal performance.

 

Document Maintenance: Keep records of your maintenance efforts, including inspection dates and any repairs or improvements made. This documentation can help you track the system’s performance and identify recurring issues.

 

Unsurprisingly, regular maintenance is key to keeping your French drain system effective and preventing water damage to your property. By taking proactive steps to keep the drain clear and functioning correctly, you can ensure that it continues to protect your home from excess moisture and water-related problems.

 

Residents in Oklahoma City can rely on Bill’s Custom Concrete for expert French drain system services, ensuring effective water drainage and protection for their properties.

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Top 10 Custom Concrete Ideas For Your Home
  • June 27, 2022
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Custom Concrete Ideas That You Must Know

When it comes to making a house your home, creative opportunities are boundless when it comes to customization. From fresh paint to new counters and all new windows and doors, one of the most striking changes you can make to your home is through the use of custom concrete.

Custom concrete isn’t limited to just your outdoor space. Although new custom concrete can transform your backyard, pool space, or front curb appeal — taking custom concrete work inside can also help change the look and feel of where you spend the most time in your home.

If you’re struggling to find the right inspiration for your next home project, consider implementing concrete into your plan — and be sure to consult with an expert, like Bill’s Custom Concrete in Oklahoma City to achieve your vision.

Here are the top 10 ideas for using custom concrete in your remodel or home project, curated by Bill’s Custom Concrete in Oklahoma City:

1. Interior Concrete Flooring

An inexpensive way to transform your living space is to rip up any old existing flooring and utilize the concrete that’s underneath. Going through a professional, like the experts at Bill’s Custom Concrete in Oklahoma City, any cracks, holes, or other deformities will be repaired and sealed to give your floors a nice smooth look.

A variety of colors, textures and even patterns can be executed when it comes to indoor concrete flooring — consider a tiled pattern for kitchens or bathrooms, something calm and soft for bedrooms. Concrete flooring can benefit homeowners throughout the year, highly reducing energy costs as they help to keep rooms cool in summer and warm in winter.

2. Concrete Countertops

Another way to make your interior space unique is to take a look at your kitchen counters. Old and dated? Concrete countertops can serve as both a modern, industrial update or a classic, smooth and refined culinary ambiance when using special stains and colors.

3. Sinks and Vessels

Keeping it in the kitchen — but throwing it in the bathroom this time — concrete can also be used to create unique and beautiful sink fixtures or drop-in bathtubs. Sky’s the limit when it comes to the style these fixtures can honor, but your concrete contractor will be able to steer you in the right direction — whether you dream of an earthy stand-alone concrete soak tub or a modern, rectangular sink basin.

4. Concrete Fireplace and Mantels

Moving toward the space you use the most — whether it be to relax and unwind, or host a fabulous party — concrete can also be utilized in the living room. Using precast concrete allows for unlimited customization, and your contractor can create a beautiful fireplace or mantel made out of freshly poured concrete, creating a beautiful and one-of-a-kind piece.

5. Faux Wall Coverings

Been dreaming of redoing your entryway with marble, stone, or brick? Maybe you want to cover up a stone wall that’s original to your older home. Concrete can be used to achieve this!

Ask your Concrete Contractor OKC about using concrete overlays to create smooth surfaces or mimic stone, brick, or other natural material. Using concrete is a cost-effective tactic to achieve luxurious-looking results!

6. Pool Decks

Moving outside, a more obvious way to utilize concrete in your home project is to resurface the area that surrounds your pool. Ask your concrete contractor about mimicking stone or brick — this can create texture and color and oftentimes looks like the real thing for half the cost!

7. Concrete Walkways

Think beyond sidewalks. Concrete can be used to create beautiful, winding walkways throughout your property. Your contractor can pour concrete to resemble cobblestone or brick, and stains can be used to increase realism.

8. Polished Concrete

Polished concrete can be used indoors or outdoor to achieve a marble-like finish. Consider using this for kitchens, bathrooms, or even stairs!

9. Stamped Concrete

As mentioned before, concrete can be a cost effective alternative when it comes to mimicking stone or other costly materials. Your concrete contractor can utilize special stamping techniques to achieve this. Ask Bill’s Custom Concrete in Oklahoma City about stamping concrete.

10. Concrete Scoring

Ask your concrete contractor about scoring concrete. This can be utilized in and outside, on flooring, counters, and much more. Achieve a textured look or create depth in your concrete design.

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How to repair cracks in your home foundation.
  • June 15, 2022
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Are your cracks showing?

Often overlooked by the average eye, foundation cracks are pesky little nuisances that pose no major threat to your home’s structural integrity, but over time they can allow openings in your home’s foundation for groundwater leaks, rodents and gas leaks.

A cracked foundation in Oklahoma City can be the result of a multitude of factors. From heavy rainfall to the typical settling of a house as it ages. While any major repairs to a cracked foundation should be done by a professional, like Bill’s Custom Concrete, there are a few do-it-yourself techniques that can help preserve your cracked foundation over time. Looking to fix your foundation in Oklahoma City? Bill’s Custom Concrete will tell you how!

Step 1: Purchase an epoxy sealer.

For surface cracks in a foundation, use a strong epoxy sealer to patch it up. It’s important that you’re careful in your selection of an epoxy sealer. You’ll want to choose an epoxy sealer that is stain-resistant and commercial-grade — strong enough to keep protecting your home’s foundation.

Step 2: Clean your foundation’s crack.

Before patching up your cracked foundation with an epoxy sealer, brush out any loose concrete or other debris protruding from the crack. Then, check to make sure that the foundation crack is dry and that no water is seeping from it. Oklahoma City seasons can be unpredictable, so you’ll want to make sure that you repair your foundation crack on a dry, warm day.

Step 3: Space out your injection ports.

Your epoxy sealer kit should come with injection ports. You’ll want to space the injection ports about 12 inches apart. You can do this easily by driving two 3-in. finishing nails into the foundation crack, measuring accurately to ensure proper spacing.

Step 4: Mix the epoxy sealer.

When you purchase an epoxy sealer to fix a crack in your home’s foundation, they often come in kits with instructions specific to the epoxy sealer that you’ve chosen. Carefully follow the instructions included with your epoxy sealer to mix the compound together. Failure to follow instructions may result in foundation cracks returning.

Step 5: Attach injection port.

After your epoxy sealer is mixed correctly, it’s time to start repairing your cracked foundation! Attach the two injection ports by spreading some of the epoxy sealers across the bottoms of the ports. Place the injection ports over the nails you applied to the foundation crack.

Step 6: Start spreading the epoxy sealer over the foundation crack.

Using a putty knife or margin towel, begin spreading a large amount of the epoxy sealer across the foundation crack. Spread the epoxy sealer about 1 inch thick over the foundational crack. Make sure to spread the edges thin, then feather the edges of the epoxy sealer using a paintbrush dipped in mineral spirits.

Step 7: Inject the epoxy sealer into the foundation crack.

Allow the epoxy sealer to cure for about 6-10 hours, depending on the size of the foundation crack. After it has dried, inject the epoxy sealer directly into the foundation crack through the injection ports using a caulk gun. Inject the foundation crack from both ports until epoxy sealer begins oozing from the ports.

Step 8: Seal the injection ports.

Remove the caulk gun and use the plugs included in your kit to remove the excess epoxy sealer, then plug them up. Make sure you plug each injection port before proceeding with the next step in repairing your home’s foundation.

Step 9: Cut off the injection ports left in the foundation crack.

After giving the epoxy sealer 5 days to cure inside your home’s cracked foundation, you can cut off the remaining injection ports using a hacksaw. Up to you, but if you want to cover the holes left by the removed injection ports, use some leftover epoxy sealer to patch them up.

Simple and easy, repairing your home’s cracked foundation in Oklahoma City doesn’t have to be a daunting task. However, if you find that the job is too overwhelming or more intense than you originally thought, give Bill’s Custom Concrete in Oklahoma City a call! We’ll get the job done right!

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French Drains – Why Are They Important?
  • June 7, 2022
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Yard Drainage Systems Oklahoma City & Edmond Ok

Despite the name, French drains didn’t actually come from France (unlike great inventions like the parachute, food processor, stethoscope, and aspirin). Instead, it was a creation of Henry Flagg French, who was an assistant US Treasury Secretary. Back in 1859, he released a document called Farm Drainage, and homeowners across the world have relied on French drains ever since.

What’s a French Drain?

As well as ‘French drain’, this design has several other names:

  • Rubble drain
  • Drain tile
  • Blind drain
  • Land drain
  • Rock drain
  • French ditch
  • Perimeter drain

For those who are still confused, the design revolves around a trench to collect all underground moisture. When landscaping, lots of homeowners and builders consider irrigation but don’t pay as much attention to drainage systems. Unfortunately, for locations where rainy seasons are common, this has the potential to cause all sorts of headaches.

When water is allowed to build, it damages the structure of the building, causes diseases in plants, and damages lawn mowing equipment. In many cases, it’s possible to eliminate the risk of these problems with a simple French drain. The size of your French drain depends on how much water needs to be carried, the land grade, and more.

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Why Are French Drains Important?

Why would you want a French drain on your property? Primarily, the land needs a French drain because it relieves water tension around the home. Without a French drain, water has free rein to collect against the walls of the property, and this can seep through to cellars while also damaging the structural integrity of the whole building. Inside the home, you suffer from damp and mould. Outside, the mortar joints crumble while the brickwork starts to decay. The older the property, the more likely the damage is to cause major issues.

When installed correctly, French drains keep water away from the building and carry it to other areas. However, its job doesn’t end there because modern designs also contain this water. Rather than having to deposit it somewhere, the drain contains the water and it gradually absorbs into a location of your choosing. Wherever it reabsorbs back into the landscape, the idea is that it’s kept away from walking areas and important structures.

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Key Tips for Installing French Drains

When installing a French drain, planning is perhaps the most important stage of all. As discussed, it’s important to find a location where the water can sit away from structures and other critical areas. Furthermore, the trench itself needs a strong path without contacting pipes, cables, trees, and other obstructions. Although it sounds simple, most builders will plan a route with tape, string, rope, or even marker spray.

During the planning phase, don’t forget the additional soil you’ll have after digging. What will you do with the waste soil? While some people use it for a feature in the garden, others simply dispose of it or gift it to friends and family. As professionals will tell you, the trench should never go deeper than the home itself. When planning the trench route, keep in mind that a standard width for a French drain is between 20cm and 30cm.

While reading about French drains, we know that some people will be thinking about money. Is a French drain expensive? Ultimately, there’s no universal answer because it all depends on the required size, materials, and whether or not you choose a professional for the job (or perform the work yourself).

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