Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between cement, mortar, and concrete?

Cement is the main ingredient in both mortar and concrete. Cement is the binder that holds the other materials, or the 'aggregates' together. Mortar is basically a specially formulated cement powder mixed with sand and water. Concrete is a porportioned mix of sand, gravel, water, portland cement, and various additives that vary depending on your region and the time of year.

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What is the difference between cinder block and concrete block?

Concrete blocks are made with pure concrete materials while cinder blocks are made with a mix of coal cinders and concrete, making cinder blocks lighter in weight.

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Do masonry walls need a footing?

Yes - every rigid masonry or concrete wall needs a concrete footing. The specifics of the brick, block, or stone footing - the PSI, dimensions, depth, rebar, subgrade, etc.. depend on your specific masony project. The point is that masonry and concrete walls do not bend and so they cannot move. masonry walls must be installed on a stable and secure footing that is sturdy enough to hold the weight of the wall without any significant movement.

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What can be done with cracks in a masonry wall?

First, you need to determine why your stone, concrete, or brick wall is cracking. It is expected that most residential masonry retaining walls will develop some cracking over the life of the wall. Often times the most crack prone walls are foundation walls and basement walls. Both your lving space and your structure depend on these walls and repairing these cracks should be a priority, especially if the crack is allowing water to enter into or below the structure because this increases exposure to mold, among other things.

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I'm getting water in my basement through the wall. What can I do?

First, you need to try to identify the source of the water. First, look for downspouts from gutters that dump water out right against your foundation wall. These downspouts must be routed to a solid pipe that will take all the water away from the foundation wall at least 10 feet. Also, look for problem areas around your house foundation that slope toward your home rather than away from it. Water that sits up against your foundation, with nowhere else to go, will eventually seep down against your foundation wall. Make sure the grade slopes away from your home and that there are no areas that trap water against the house.

If water continues to enter through a crack in your wall, then you might consider digfing out in front of the wall to expose the crack on the outside. Clean the area, then seal the crack with a heavy duty elastomeric caulk or hydraulic cement. Then tar the entire wall area with waterproofing tar, and finally install a sheet of 6 mil thick plastic to the area against the wet tar. This will effectively patch the crack. There are other methods and procedures depending on your specific situation. Give is a call for more information.

 

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What is the difference between a brick paver and a concrete paver?

Brick pavers are made from clay like regular bricks. Clay is a ligher and softer material than concrete, and for high traffic areas, high impact areas, or areas that take a beating from the weather, concrete pavers are recommended because of their durability.

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