Comprehensive Concrete Service Options Explained

When designing outdoor areas, property owners often place much of their focus on structures and decorations like patios, pool decks, landscaping and furniture. While these things are important, “boring” foundational materials like concrete are often overlooked. Concrete, however, is so much more than a mundane necessity. It can also be a feature of your outdoor space, one which offers just as many opportunities for personalization as any other material.

From custom designs to renovations to repairs, Blue Lizard Services is your one-stop-shop for any and all concrete-related needs. Our expert contractors will help you to plan your project before utilizing up-to-date equipment and construction techniques to execute your design. But before you can get started, it’s important to understand exactly what concrete services are, as well as what they can do for your property.  

What are Concrete Services?

Concrete services are provided by individual professionals or companies, and typically include the construction, repair and replacement of concrete-based structures. These services may cover decorative hardscaping additions, such as backyard walkways, as well as more practical installations, such as driveways and foundations. Additionally, the strength, durability and versatility of this material makes it ideal for commercial and residential projects. By utilizing concrete, contractors can give your property the best possible chance of withstanding normal wear-and-tear as well as inclement weather conditions. 

While there are a number of types of concrete for contractors to choose from when completing construction projects, some common varieties include:

• Normal strength concrete. This type of concrete is typically made from a mix of one part cement, two parts sand and four parts aggregate, or granular materials such as crushed rock. As this material is not as strong as other types of concrete, it is often used for pavements, driveways, residential foundations and other structures which do not need to withstand extensive stress. 
• Reinforced concrete. With a higher resistance to stressors due to the addition of wires, steel rods or cables, reinforced concrete is ideal for roadways, bridges, tall buildings and other commercial or industrial projects.
• Lightweight concrete. In other words, concrete which utilizes lightweight aggregates such as clay, pumice and shale. Its low thermal conductivity reduces the transfer of heat, improving its insulating capabilities. Additionally, it may be more fire resistant than other forms of concrete. This material may be used for projects including fire pits, bridge decks, and internal or external walls. 
• Ready-mix concrete is material which has been manufactured at a plant. It is then transferred in cement trucks to work sites, where it can be used almost immediately. Ready-mix concrete is often used for construction projects such as bridges, roadways, walls and foundations.  

Installing and Maintaining Concrete

While the specific services a contractor or company offers will depend on their specializations and equipment, concrete services generally include:

Installation

Concrete installation is the process of pouring and shaping concrete in order to create various structures and hardscaping elements. While concrete can be poured manually, this process is often time-consuming and necessitates a large amount of manpower. Concrete pumping, on the other hand,  allows machines to handle much of the work by utilizing valves, hydraulics and tubes to ferry concrete from a mixing unit to the work site. 

Concrete pumps come in one of two forms—line pumps or boom pumps. Line pumps transport concrete through hoses laid along the ground—a slower method, but a more accurate one. These pumps also allow contractors to easily transport concrete into out-of-the-way spaces such as backyards. Boom pumps, on the other hand, leverage a robotic arm—a boom—which is mounted onto a truck in order to pour concrete vertically. While this method is faster, it is also less precise, as well as more expensive than line pumping.

Repair and maintenance

No matter the strength of the concrete, normal wear-and-tear, storms or damage will eventually cause it to degrade. Contractors and companies can repair or resurface these installations in order to extend their lifespan and prevent the need for costly replacements. Concrete maintenance includes not only repair, but also the cleaning and sealing—that is, the application of a protective layer in order to prevent damage, water intrusion and other issues—of your concrete structures. This ensures that your concrete will continue to look and function as intended.

Planning Your Custom Concrete Projects

With the right contracting company, concrete services provide more than just durable, utilitarian installations. Concrete can be just as decorative as any other building material, whether you choose to disguise it or let its natural beauty shine. Some examples of custom concrete projects include: 

Foundations and hardscaping

Among concrete’s many applications are foundations, walls and flooring. Foundations are the base levels of construction projects, and their job is to transfer the load of the overhead structure into the ground below. The strength of concrete and its resistance to compression makes it ideal for foundations and other building components of all shapes and sizes. 

Concrete can also be used for hardscaping, or any man-made or nonliving elements of an outdoor space. Hardscaping elements include:

• Patios
• Walkways and stepping stones
• Driveways
• Pools and pool decks
• Retaining walls
• Raised garden beds
• Sitting walls

Decorative concrete

Decorative custom concrete elements make use of texture, color and finishes to create unique and personalized installations. Methods of crafting decorative concrete include:

• Stamping. Imprints are pressed into uncured concrete in order to create specific textures. This allows concrete to take on the appearance of materials such as brick, slate, tile and hardwood.
• Staining. Acid- or water-based stains are applied to concrete in order to change the color of the material. Acid-based stains are reactive mixtures which absorb into the concrete and create earth tones such as brown, blue and green. Water-based stains, on the other hand, are nonreactive mixtures which fill concrete’s surface pores and are available in a wide range of colors.
• Exposing aggregate. After cement is placed, the top layer of the cement paste is removed in order to expose the aggregate. By using decorative aggregate such as quartz, glass or seashells, you can create a surface with stunning visual appeal. 
• Polishing. The top layer of the concrete installation is ground down and polished in order to create a smooth and shiny surface. 

Design High-Quality Concrete Property Additions with Blue Lizard Services

Comprehensive concrete services are so much more than just the construction of indoor spaces, driveways and industrial projects. They also enable the creation and installation of practical and decorative hardscaping, turning your outdoor space into a functional masterpiece. But in order to gain all of these benefits, you need to work with the right outdoor living design company—and that is where Blue Lizard Services comes in. With over two decades of experience providing concrete pump services, as well as designing and placing custom concrete installations, we can make all of your outdoor living dreams come true. 

Looking to upgrade your commercial or residential property with custom concrete? Just give us a call or send us a message today!