These are the questions that did not fit on the other pages. If yours is missing, call or text and ask.
How long does a concrete driveway last?
A concrete driveway built well can last 25 to 30 years or more. In New Orleans the concrete seldom wears out. The ground under it gives up first. A driveway on a compacted base with steel and good drainage will outlast one poured straight on soft soil by many years.
Can I pour concrete myself, or should I hire someone?
You can pour a small pad or a few stepping stones yourself. Hire someone for a driveway or anything bigger than about 100 square feet. Ready-mix starts to set in about an hour in our heat, it is heavy, and a mistake in finishing is permanent. The base work on local soil also takes equipment most people do not own.
Can I pour a small shed pad with bags from the store?
Yes, for a small shed. A pad 8 by 10 feet and 4 inches thick takes about one cubic yard, which is roughly 45 bags of 80-pound mix. That is a lot of mixing, so have helpers and a rented mixer. Dig out the topsoil, compact a few inches of crushed stone, set level forms and add mesh. Raise the pad a little above the yard so the shed floor stays dry.
The walkway I poured cracked and sank. Should I redo it or hire someone?
If it sank, the base was the problem, and a redo done the same way will sink again. Break it out, dig down to firm soil, compact stone in layers and add steel. If that is more than you want to take on, hire it out. Paying once for a base done right costs less than pouring the same walk a third time.
How do I get oil stains out?
To get oil stains out, soak up fresh oil with cat litter, then scrub with a concrete degreaser and a stiff brush and rinse. Old stains need a poultice, which is a paste that draws the oil out as it dries. Deep stains may lighten without fully going. A sealed driveway cleans up more easily next time.
Can an old concrete floor be stained?
Yes, an old floor can be stained if it is bare, clean and free of glue, paint and old sealer. Stain is see-through, so patches and old marks stay visible, and some people like that aged look. In New Orleans, test the slab for moisture first. A damp slab will push a sealer off no matter how good the stain looks on day one.
Does insurance cover a cracked slab or a fallen retaining wall?
Homeowners insurance generally covers sudden events named in the policy and generally leaves out settling, earth movement, wear and poor workmanship. Flood damage falls under a separate flood policy, which many New Orleans owners carry. Read your policy and ask your agent before you assume either way. We can write up what we found for you to send them.
A customer tripped on the concrete outside my business. Am I liable?
Whether you are liable depends on the facts, and it is a question for your insurer and a lawyer. In general, a business is expected to keep the surfaces it controls reasonably safe and to fix hazards it knows about. Report the fall to your insurer, photograph the spot and repair it. Keep the repair invoice. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can sections be replaced while my business stays open?
Yes. We replace walks and parking areas one section at a time so the business stays open and customers always have a safe way to the door. Barriers and signs go up, and pours are timed around your busy hours where we can. Plan deliveries ahead, because new concrete should not carry trucks for about four weeks.
Can you pour a basketball pad or sport court?
Yes. A basketball pad needs a flat slab with just enough slope to drain, a light broom finish for grip, and joints placed away from the key and the free throw line. On soft ground the base and steel matter, since a court that settles unevenly gives a bad bounce. We have no published price for sport courts and quote them after a visit.
How do I keep a patio from turning green and slick?
Wash it once or twice a year and let sun and air reach it. Algae and mildew grow quickly on shaded concrete in this humidity. An outdoor concrete cleaner and a pressure washer with a wide tip do the job. Trim back plants and fix any spot where water sits.
Is recycled crushed concrete a good base?
Yes, when it is clean and well graded. Old concrete that is broken out and crushed makes a firm base and keeps rubble out of the landfill. It is widely used in south Louisiana because natural stone has to be brought in from far away.
The real number for your address comes from a free visit and a written quote. Call (504) 732-1542, or text a photo of the area and we will tell you what we see.