Wohlwend Concrete Blog

Holiday Decorating and Decorative Concrete

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The holiday season is here and for many that means events and decorating are in full swing! While you are already decorating your home, inside and outside – are you reconsidering the look of your plain concrete? If you want something a little more exciting to match your style, consider decorative concrete in the Twin Cities area!

With everything else in your home available for personalization, from wall colors to flooring to decorative choices – why shouldn’t you be able to incorporate your personal style into your concrete as well? At Wohlwend Concrete we offer a wide range of decorative concrete! From classic styles like weathered wood and random cobblestone to some of the latest trends like English Yorkstone and flaming sun patterns – we can customize the look of your concrete to match your aesthetics!

Plus, we can stain your concrete in different colors as well. If traditional gray isn’t your style, talk to us about what color you desire and we will work with you to find the best option!

No longer does decorating have to exclude your concrete. We can install decorative concrete for your patios, walkways, driveways and more!

While you are out hanging lights or adding decorations to your lawn, take a good look at your concrete. Is there a style that you have seen somewhere else that you would prefer? Or maybe the color doesn’t match your color scheme anymore? No matter what changes you want, we can remove your old concrete and replace it with new, decorative concrete to match your taste.

Or, if you don’t already have concrete, we can install a concrete patio, walkway, driveway, steps or more! Concrete is a great choice for Minnesota, as it is durable and reasonably priced. Plus, as trusted experts in concrete, we understand how to best install your new decorative concrete to last for years. And, we perform repairs and sealings – so you never have to trust a different company to maintain your dream concrete.

No matter what design or color combination you have dreamt of – we at Wohlwend Concrete can make it a reality. So this holiday season, consider concrete as another piece of your decorations. Let your concrete show off your style just as the paint on your home and decorations do!

Are you ready to expand your decorations to include your concrete? Call Wohlwend Concrete at 651-426-2610 or contact us for decorative concrete in the Twin Cities area this winter!

4 Signs You Need Concrete Step Repair

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concrete step repair st Paul

In Minnesota, where winters can take their toll, concrete is an ideal material for outdoor steps. However, concrete steps still need repairs from time to time. If you need concrete step repair in Vadnais Heights, call Wohlwend Concrete as soon as possible to take care of this safety issue. If you aren’t sure how to tell when your concrete steps are in need of repair, keep reading! We’ve outlined four main signs that your concrete steps need repaired.

1. Visible Sinking

If your concrete steps have sunk enough to be visibly noticeable, it is time to think about getting repairs scheduled as soon as possible. Concrete steps that have started sinking rarely stop sinking on their own and require repairs to reverse and stop any further damage.

2. Cracks

Concrete, while durable, can still crack over time. Especially concrete that has begun sinking. If your steps have begun sinking, but aren’t bad enough to be visibly noticeable yet, there are still signs that they are in need of repair. Specifically, sunken concrete steps often exhibit cracks on one side of the steps. Keeping an eye out for this sign can help you identify a problem before the repairs become more costly.

3. Visible Separation

Additionally, if your concrete steps have started pulling away from the house, or there is any visible separation where it used to attach to your home, call us right away. Visible separation from the house is a good indicator that there is something wrong that requires a professional to repair.

4. Routine Puddles

Have you noticed puddles forming in the middle of your concrete steps each time it rains? This can be an early warning sign that your steps have begun to sink. While the sinking may not have advanced far enough for other indicators, routine puddles can still indicate that there is a problem forming. Check for puddles forming in the same spot every time it rains, this can indicate where your steps are sinking and how far they have already sunk.

Have you noticed any of these tell-tale signs that it is time for you to schedule repairs for your concrete steps? Don’t delay scheduling repairs, as further damage to your concrete steps could cause more expensive and extensive damage. Call Wohlwend Concrete at 651-426-2610 or contact us for concrete step repairs in Vadnais Heights and the surrounding Twin Cities area this fall!

Schedule Your Concrete Garage Apron Repair Before Winter

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Minnesota is home to some harsh winter weather. If your concrete isn’t protected, water can seep into cracks. The freeze/thaw cycle of water can cause even further damage to your concrete throughout the winter. That’s part of why it is so imperative that you make sure your concrete garage apron in Minneapolis is protected before winter hits.

A concrete garage apron is an important feature of a driveway and garage as it provides a gradual slope into the garage, allowing your car to enter without damage and providing visual distinction between the driveway and garage. Your concrete garage apron is a great way to show off your aesthetics before anyone even steps foot in your home.

concrete garage apron Minneapolis

This important driveway feature is subject to the harsh conditions all winter long, so it’s best to make sure that any repairs are taken care of prior to the first snowfall. Once winter begins, outdoor concrete repairs become more difficult as the temperature impacts concrete’s ability to cure and settle properly.

If repairs have been pushed off for too long, it may even be time to completely replace your concrete garage apron. Don’t worry though! Wohlwend Concrete can help with full replacements or repairs of your concrete garage apron.

Beyond just providing a gradual slope into the garage to protect your car, the concrete garage apron serves as a ramp away from your home and foundation for rainwater and snowmelt. A damaged concrete garage apron could let water seep into your foundation, causing much bigger issues as this year’s accumulation of snowfall melts.

Additionally, your concrete garage apron can help to protect both your garage floor and driveway. As the two surfaces likely have different subgrades, the transition of a concrete garage apron can keep them apart, allowing them to each experience their own freeze-thaw cycles without damaging the other.

The best way to prepare for this winter is to call Wohlwend Concrete to make sure your concrete is ready for the harsh conditions. From resealing to repairing, replacements to new installations – Wohlwend Concrete can handle all of your concrete work. Concrete garage aprons assist in protecting your car, your property, your garage and your driveway. Don’t ignore such an important feature this fall while preparing your home for winter.

Has your Minneapolis concrete garage apron seen better days? Call Wohlwend Concrete at 651-426-2610 or contact us for concrete garage apron repairs and replacements this fall!

4 Benefits of Concrete Step Replacement

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If you have noticed that your concrete steps are chipped, cracked or crumbling, it’s imperative to have a professional come out for concrete step replacement in Roseville as soon as possible. Ideally, if you notice the damage early enough, concrete steps can be repaired instead of replaced. But sometimes when exposed to Minnesota winters without proper maintenance, concrete can become damaged beyond repair. In those cases, hiring a professional to remove your old concrete steps and install new is the safest and most effective course of action.

If you have had a negative experience with concrete (either a DIY project gone wrong or an unreliable contractor hired) then you may be wondering what the benefits of having your concrete steps replaced may be. While concrete will need to be replaced eventually, there are still plenty of benefits to choosing concrete for your steps.

concrete step replacement Roseville

1. Affordable

Concrete is a much more budget-friendly construction material than others. When factoring in regular maintenance costs, replacement timeframes and initial costs, it is clear to see that concrete remains one of the most affordable options for steps.

2. Easily Maintained

Once installed, concrete required minimal maintenance compared to its wooden counterparts. While wood will eventually rot and can leave spaces for pests to hide, concrete stays sturdy for years to come. Simply have your concrete sealed as recommended by your contractor and enjoy the benefits of a simple construction material.

3. Durability

Concrete rarely needs repaired or replaced compared to other building materials. If installed and maintained properly, concrete stairs can last for decades. Concrete is more durable than wood and leads to less costs over time in repairs and replacement.

4. Customizable

Finally, concrete is more customizable than most other building materials. From being able to stain it in different colors to being able to add stonework to your concrete steps – there is little you can not do with concrete. You could even include a design stamped in to make your concrete look like wood or cobblestone.

It is clear to see that there are many benefits in replacing your crumbling concrete steps with concrete once again – especially when you hire a trusted professional like those at Wohlwend Concrete.

Are you ready for concrete step replacement to be performed at your home or business? Call Wohlwend Concrete at 651-426-2610 or contact us for all your concrete patio steps installation projects or repair needs!

5 Reasons to Hire a Professional for Concrete Patio Steps

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Do you have crumbling concrete patio steps or have a spot where you need steps added? While anyone can just go buy concrete to mix and install, DIY when it comes to concrete normally is not a good idea. Especially for something like concrete steps that will be used by anyone visiting that wants to go sit on your patio. For concrete patio steps in the Twin Cities, hire Wohlwend Concrete! Our professionals have the experience to ensure that you receive patio steps that will last for years.

Here are five of the top reasons to hire a professional, like Wohlwend Concrete, for your concrete patio step work – whether that be repair or installation.

1. Experience

Do you have experience with concrete? If your answer is no, then it’s always best to opt for someone with experience. Especially somewhere with weather like Minnesota. An inexperienced contractor may leave behind structural issues that could lead to cracks and unsteady steps come winter.

Hiring a professional is always best as they have plenty of experience, meaning that they understand best practices for the climate of your home. When you hire a professional, your steps are guaranteed to look nice and survive our harsh winters.

concrete patio steps twin cities

2. Save Time and Money

Chances are, if you don’t have experience with concrete, you also don’t have the equipment and tools necessary to construct quality concrete patio steps. Going out and buying the tools you need can be costly, especially if you aren’t 100% sure which tools will be the best for your project.

A professional will already have the tools and equipment required, plus they will know exactly what materials your project will need, saving you both time and money.

3. Knowledge on Mixing Concrete

Mixing concrete isn’t as easy as it may sound. You can’t just eyeball the mixture if you want to ensure that it will harden and last. If incorrectly mixed concrete is used on your project, you’ll be back to square one as the entire project will need to be removed and replaced.

Professionals understand the process and know how to mix concrete that will work for your concrete patio steps.

4. Reliable

Concrete professionals, especially those here at Wohlwend Concrete, are also reliable. Not only do they bring experience and the right tools to the table, they also give you a timeline and stick to it. When you choose a professional to install your concrete patio steps, remember that they have a reputation to uphold.

A great reputation goes a long way, so a professional will do everything they need to ensure the future success of their company.

5. No Mistakes

Finally, professionals can guarantee that no mistakes will be made during the process. Their years of experience allow for your patio steps to be installed quickly, efficiently and correctly. Professionals are able to see problems as they may happen and take the proper steps to solve it before it becomes an issue.

Are you ready to install concrete patio steps outside of your Twin Cities home? Call Wohlwend Concrete at 651-426-2610 or contact us for all your concrete patio steps installation projects or repair needs!