Licensed and Insured
Dirty Boys Concrete

Phone

801.864.5026

Phone

801-577-2755

Address

Riverton, UT

Phone

801.864.5026

Phone

801-577-2755

Address

Riverton, UT

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All You Need to Know About Concrete Driveways

All You Need to Know About Concrete Driveways

by | Jan 22, 2024 | Project Guides

All You Need to Know About Concrete Driveways

Welcome to the comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about concrete driveways. As a popular choice for homeowners, concrete driveways are celebrated for their durability, aesthetic versatility, and low maintenance. In this guide, we’ll delve into the installation process, maintenance tips, design options, and the advantages of concrete driveways over alternatives like asphalt or pavers. Whether you’re considering a new driveway or looking to enhance the longevity of your existing one, this guide will provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions. Let’s explore the world of concrete driveways together.

 

Here is a link for more information about Dirty Boys Concrete driveway installation and driveway replacement services https://dbconcretellc.com/concrete-driveway/

Average Cost and Time for Concrete Driveway Installation:

  • Cost: 6000.00 to 12,000.00 or $8 to $15 per square foot, influenced by design complexity and additional features.
  • Time: Approximately 1 to 3 days, considering site preparation, pouring, finishing, and curing.
  • Heated driveway costs are usually in the $20-$35 per square foot price depending on heated system and installation complexity.

Factors Influencing Cost and Time:

  • Design complexity, decorative finishes, and local labor/material prices impact cost.
  • Project size, weather conditions, and equipment determine installation time.

The pros of concrete driveways over pavers or asphalt:

Advantages of Concrete Driveways:

1. Durability: Long lifespan and resistance to damage.
2. Low Maintenance: Requires less upkeep than asphalt or pavers.
3. Aesthetic Versatility: Various design options available.
4. Weed and Moss Resistance: Discourages unwanted growth.
5. Smooth Surface: Provides a comfortable driving experience and easier snow removal.
6. Cost-Effectiveness: Long-term value and cost savings compared to asphalt or Pavers.
7. Chemical Resistance: Resistant to oil stains and chemicals.
8. Heat Reflectivity: Cooler surface than asphalt.
9. Consistent Appearance: Uniform look without shifting or movement that plaques pavers and asphalt.
10. No Resurfacing Required: Maintains appearance over time.

This concise version highlights key advantages of concrete driveways over other options.

 

Dirty Boys Concrete, LLC

 

 

 

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Concrete Sealers

Concrete Sealers

by | Sep 11, 2023 | Concrete Tips

Sealing concrete can increase the strength, stain and chemical resistance of the concrete. Sealers can also enhance the look of the concrete, much like varnish on wood. It will bring our the colors of decorative concrete and also protect. Matte concrete sealers don’t impart any sheen on the surface, while wet look concrete sealers have a glossy finish. Wet look concrete sealers are usually film-forming and may require a grip for better traction.

Sealer types we use:

1.Acrylic Sealer

Acrylic sealers usually are a wet look and primarily used for decorative concrete to enhance and protect the concrete surface.

We use  high solid premium grade sealers that last on average 2-4 years. Concrete must be cured to prevent discoloration.

2. Cure and Seals

These are used more as a curing agent with some sealing benefits. Sealer usually last about a year.

3. Waterbased.

Typically we use waterbased sealers on interior floors exclusively. Waterbased sealers ultra low VOC’s make them better and safer to use indoors compared to an acrylic. Lower sheen and have moderate protection. 

4. Penetrating sealers

Penetrating sealers usually are a 1 time application. They densify the concrete and make it more chemical, and stain resistant for years to come. These can be applied anytime after concrete has fully cured on new or old concrete. These can also slow or stop spalling entirely. We primarily only use on exterior regular concrete.

Salts and Deicers and how it damages concrete?

Salts and Deicers and how it damages concrete?

by | Sep 11, 2023 | Concrete Tips

Use of deicers on your new drive, sidewalk, or patio could be harmful.
You wouldn’t use a strong caustic soap to clean your wall-to-wall carpet! Nor would you use acid to clean your kitchen or bathroom fixtures! In fact, you’re pretty careful about how you clean and take care of your home inside. But what about outside concrete walks, drives, patios, porches, and steps? Give the exposed concrete around your house the same consideration as you would your pretty interior! It’squality

concrete, but don’t abuse it.  Consult your ready mixed concrete producer for information.

Avoid any deicing chemical the first and second winter. The only safe material to use to make the concrete surface skid resistant is plain sand. Damage from deicers is one of the easiest and clearest damage to identify.  Salt does not damage concrete, but the effects of salt can. That sounds weird, so we’ll explain. Salt does not chemically react with hardened concrete. Salt does however lower the freezing point of water, attract moisture, and increase pressure of frozen water. Salt can also increase the freeze-thaw cycles if the temperature fluctuates between 15°F and 25°F

Never use deicers containing ammonium sulphate or ammonium nitrate. These chemicals are often packaged and sold as deicers, but they will rapidly disintegrate concrete. Calcium chloride, another common deicer, can attack concrete if a concentrated amount is applied. Magnesium chloride, magnesium acetate, and magnesium nitrate have also been found to be damaging to concrete.

Common garden fertilizers can contain ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate which can cause concrete disintegration.  

Salt does not damage concrete, but the effects of salt can. That sounds weird, so we’ll explain. Salt does not chemically react with hardened concrete. Salt does however lower the freezing point of water, attract moisture, and increase pressure of frozen water. Salt can also increase the freeze-thaw cycles if the temperature fluctuates between 15°F and 25°F. Concrete scaling can occur in the absence of salts too if there were problems at installation.

Remember

    1. Keep snow and ice off concrete first 2 years

    1. Avoid the use of any deicers the first  2 years.

    1. Use sand (plain) anytime.

    1. Never use deicers containing ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, calcium chloride, magnesium acetate, magnesium chloride, or magnesium nitrate .After all that, why keep the salt off? Concrete hydrates pretty much forever and gets stronger with time. The more time it gets to come up to strength the less likely ice pressure will exceed the tensile strength of the concrete. We recommend sand as it is cheap and environmentally friendly.

    1. Apply a concrete sealer if you plan on using deicers in the future. Re-apply yearly or as needed. 

    • Here are a couple of links to more resources: 

Guide to Decorative Concrete (2017)

Guide to Decorative Concrete (2017)

by | Sep 8, 2023 | Project Guides

All About Decorative Concrete (2017)

STAMPED CONCRETE

The biggest attraction of stamping concrete is the versatility. There are many textures, patterns, and colors that are readily available which makes design opportunites almost endless. You can also incorporate the use of stains and dyes to further customize the appearance of concrete.

Other benefits of concrete stamping include:

Competitive Cost: Usually cheaper than natural  stone, slate, and man made pavers.

Faster installation: Can be placed in less than half the time it takes to install pavers.

Aesthetic Appeal: With a wide array of patterns, colors, and textures, it can blend with any architecture or landscape.

Easy Maintenance: Much easier to maintain than pavers and wood decks.

The popularity of stamped concrete has flourished in the past 20 years or so, but you might be surprised to know that the technique has been around since the middle of the last century.

The first stamping tools were invented by a man named Brad Bowman, but were limited to basic tile and brick patterns.

Customers today can choose from a multitude of textures, patterns, and colors. And many stamping tools are molded from real materials to duplicate their textures down to the finest detail.

Because of the beauty, versatility, durability, and cost of stamped concrete, it’s popularity has surpassed any of the traditional paving materials.

The second kind of decorative concrete is called acid staining.

ACID STAINING

Acid based concrete stains aren’t new. They’ve been around for many years but were mainly used in commercial applications such as museum floors. In recent years, however, they have become increasingly popular for residential use.

Whether your concrete is old or new, acid based concrete stains can create a refreshing and unique look.

It can be used on interior or exterior surfaces including:

Driveways

Patios

Porches

Walkways

Landscape pavers

Retaining Walls

Garage floors

Basement floors

Acid stains are transparent concrete stains . The concrete’s surface textures and characteristics are still visible after staining which adds depth and a somewhat marbled look. But if your concrete has any scars, blemishes, or cracks they will also be apparent which is not necessarily a bad thing.

It adds character and uniqueness. Don’t feel that you need perfect concrete for beautifulstaining. Expect to have variations throughout because with acid stains, a completely uniform color is impossible.

Due to inconsistencies in the concrete surface and all the other variables that come into play, no two slabs will ever stain exactly like. This is the biggest benefit of acid staining. Every project is a one of a kind.

If there are cracks, don’t bother fixing them prior to staining. You’ll just make them look worse. Actually, cracks also add character. But if you are bothered by cracks, then we can fill them with an epoxy crack filler and apply an overlay before acid staining

Dirty Boys Concrete, LLC

Concrete FAQ: Can You Pour Concrete in the Winter?

Concrete FAQ: Can You Pour Concrete in the Winter?

by | Sep 8, 2023 | Concrete Tips

Pouring Concrete in the Winter or Cold Temps

One of the most common questions we receive is can you pour concrete in the winter?

The answer is YES!

Concrete can be successfully poured and placed in cold weather conditions. We take precautions to eliminate the problems associated with low-temperatures, just as we do pouring in the hotter temperatures.  Precautions such as; Mix design, insulated blankets, Thermometer testing of the concrete and subgrade, hot water, air entrained concrete, calcium chloride and non chloride.  Done properly, concrete poured in cool weather is actually stronger than concrete poured in hot weather, thanks to the slow curing period.

The American Concrete Institute’s (ACI) definition of cold-weather concreting under ACI 306 is a period when for more than three successive days the average daily air temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and stays below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for more than one-half of any 24-hour period.

Many times having concrete done in the winter months is more affordable. Stains from insulated blankets (marbling affect) are possible and many people never really notice the slight discolorations. Overall there are many benefits to pouring in the winter and just a few extra precautions needed to pour. 

Some steps we take to pour in winter

1- Using air entrained concrete

2- Winter/Cold weather specific mix designs( Type I cement can be replaced with Type III cements which hydrates at a faster rate)

3-Admixtures such as calcium chloride, calcium chloride, microfibers, hot water

4-Insulated concrete blankets( hold heat to keep ground thawed and allow proper curing of the concrete)

5- Infrared Thermometer ( we take temperatures of the concrete, subgrade multiple times throughout the pouring and curing process) 

Dirty Boys Concrete, LLC