Wohlwend Concrete Blog

4 Benefits of Concrete Step Replacement

|

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

|

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!

4 Reasons to Install a Concrete Apron

|

If your home has a driveway leading into a garage, then you probably either already have or need a concrete apron. A concrete apron is the slab of concrete in front of the garage door that transitions to the driveway. While many may not think a concrete apron is necessary, it provides a gradual slope, allowing vehicles to access the garage from the driveway without damage due to the different grades of the surfaces.

If you still aren’t sure that you need a concrete apron in Twin Cities, here are four reasons to have one installed!

1. Provides Gradual Slope

If you recently had your driveway done, you may look at the entrance to your garage and think that they aren’t two different grades, so why would a concrete apron matter? A concrete apron is always important as driveways aren’t built on a foundation and will likely sink over time. The ground underneath may slowly be eroded by rainwater, causing the driveway to become uneven with the garage entrance.

A concrete apron negates this issue by providing a gradual slope from driveway to garage, allowing vehicles to enter the garage even after your driveway has had time to settle and sink.

concrete apron twin cities

2. Keeps Surfaces Apart

Driveways and garages often are made of different materials, meaning they have different subgrades and will experience different freeze thaw cycles. This can cause unnecessary stress on the opposing surface. A concrete apron, however, separates the two surfaces allowing them to both experience their own stressors without damaging the other.

If you are planning on installing an asphalt driveway, it’s always best to install a concrete apron first!

3. Diverts Rainwater and Snowmelt

Sometimes, there are no other options than to have your driveway slope towards your garage. In heavy rains or times of melting snow, the water can then cause your garage to flood. While a drain can help negate this issue, you have to ensure that the slopes of the driveway and garage lead to the drain in order for the water to cause minimal damage, which can be a hassle if both garage and driveway are already completed.

Another option to minimize water access to your garage is a concrete apron. Utilizing a slope away from your garage, a concrete apron adds another hurdle to stop the water from easily flowing down into your garage. You can combine both by having a drain installed into your concrete apron as well!

4. Provides Visual Distinction

Finally, the last reason is purely an aesthetic one. Many people opt for a concrete apron in a different color than their driveway, or sometimes may even opt for a different texture. A concrete apron creates visual distinction between the garage and driveway, allowing your personal tastes to be incorporated.

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

3 Ways to Upgrade Your Concrete Stairs

|

Does your home have concrete stairs that you want to upgrade? Do you want to make your concrete stairs warmer and more welcoming? Once you’ve contacted Wohlwend Concrete for concrete stairs in St. Louis Park, here are three easy ways to take your steps to the next level, both functionally and aesthetically!

1. Flowers and Greenery

If your concrete steps are missing the warmth you desire, try sprucing them up with some flowers and other greenery! Lining either side of your concrete stairs with flowerpots blooming with fresh flowers can bring life to your stairs. Low-maintenance plants can provide warmth and welcome to guests, while requiring minimal care on your end!

One thing to note here: try to avoid plants that grow long, trailing vines. Plants that tend to grow out over flowerpots can become more of a risk as they may trip unsuspecting visitors on their way in.

2. Install Railings

concrete stairs St Louis Park

Another way to protect your guests on concrete stairs is to add railings. Railings provide an extra level of security to your steps, allowing people to hold on to something to prevent tripping or slipping. Plus, railings can elevate the look of your concrete steps!

Railings also add the ability to warm up your concrete stairs with a pop of color! You can paint your railings any color to match your home and desired aesthetic of your steps!

3. Step Lights

This last idea brings both functionality and aesthetics all in one. Adding step lights to your concrete stairs can bring an air of sophistication to your steps as it gets darker out while also increasing visibility to prevent anyone from tripping on steps they can’t see! While step lights may not be the most attractive feature during the day, their looks and functionality during darker hours make up for any small amount of unseemliness during the day.

Do your concrete stairs in St. Louis Park or the surrounding areas need more of an upgrade than plants or a railing? Call Wohlwend Concrete at 651-426-2610 or contact us for all your concrete stair installation or repair needs!

What You Should Do When Hiring a Masonry Contractor

|

Do you have mason work that you need completed by a professional? Hiring a masonry contractor in St. Paul shouldn’t be a hassle. Here are some tips and tricks to ensuring that you hire the right contractor for the job!

1. Get References

The masonry contractor you hire should be trustworthy and reliable. When you choose to work with a professional, they should always be able to provide you with references attesting to their skill and professionalism. If they refuse to provide you with references, that could be a sign that they’ve left previous customers unsatisfied with their work and should be a red flag!

If you aren’t quite ready to contact a contractor to ask for references just yet, check out their testimonials. Good reviews from past customers can give you an idea of what to expect, even just for your initial contact with the contractor.

2. Ask Questions

When it’s time to have masonry work done, make sure you ask all of the questions you’re thinking. Presumably, you’re not an expert in masonry personally, and that’s why you are hiring a professional. No professional worth hiring will mind if you have a variety of questions about the job!

If you’re not sure where to start with asking questions, here are some ideas to get you started:

What you should do when hiring a masonry contractor
  • Who will be managing the project?
  • Do you hire subcontractors?
  • Do you have insurance?
  • Will you match my brick?
  • Do you specialize in any kinds of masonry?
  • How long have you worked in the area?
  • Do you offer guarantees or warranties?
  • Will you clean up once the project is complete?

All of these are good questions to ask, as they can be imperative down the line. You may be able to find answers to some of these questions on a masonry contractor’s website – so feel free to do some background research on them before contacting them!

3. Don’t Pick Solely by Price

If you’re getting multiple bids for a job, it may be tempting to go with the lowest offer – but that’s not always a sound strategy. When a contractor offers you a much lower offer than other bids, be sure to ask questions. While it may be tempting to accept the offer without digging a little deeper, you should always ensure that you are hiring a professional who won’t cut corners on your job.

4. Get a Timeline

Before your masonry contractor of choice begins work, always make sure that you have an estimate for how long the job will take. This allows you to manage expectations about the work while also setting the bar for a reasonable amount of time for the project to be completed. If a contractor can’t get you an estimate or set a timeline, that’s a red flag and you should consider working with someone else.

5. Have Everything in Writing

When you’ve decided on a contractor to hire for your mason work, make sure that you are given a written contract with details about your job. Each contract should contain:

  • The original bid
  • Itemized cost of materials and labor
  • Timeline or estimated completion date
  • Payment options

These are critical items to have included in a contract, and a professional, experienced contractor should have no issues providing you with this information.

When it’s time to hire a masonry contractor in St. Paul and the surrounding Twin Cities area, it’s important to hire a professional that you can trust. Call Wohlwend Concrete at 651-426-2610 or contact us to learn how we can help you get the mason work of your dreams!