Search: Posts Made By: BridgeMan45
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Replies: 5
Views: 2,106
Posted By BridgeMan45

I've been away from the industry too many years...

I've been away from the industry too many years to make brand-name recommendations. Although sticking with a well-known product line, such as Sika or Adhesive Engineering, is likely to bring better...
Replies: 2
Views: 2,962
Posted By BridgeMan45

To prevent frost-heaving of the footings, it's...

To prevent frost-heaving of the footings, it's important that what they're poured on is a well-draining and compacted base. And keeping surface water drainage away from the footings also helps...
Replies: 4
Views: 2,190
Posted By BridgeMan45

Quikrete 5000 (high strength) has been an...

Quikrete 5000 (high strength) has been an excellent performer, in my limited experience with it, going back close to 20 years. I suspect you might be mixing and placing it too wet, which can lead to...
Replies: 15
Views: 1,840
Posted By BridgeMan45

Save a dollar now to spend hundreds of dollars...

Save a dollar now to spend hundreds of dollars later? Sorry, but it makes no sense to me.

For long-term durability and best performance, go with reinforced concrete. End of discussion.

P.S....
Replies: 9
Views: 1,169
Posted By BridgeMan45

Cement (aka Portland cement) is a fluffy gray...

Cement (aka Portland cement) is a fluffy gray powder, that by itself has no structural strength. When combined with water and aggregates, it forms concrete.
Replies: 8
Views: 1,771
Posted By BridgeMan45

Panting exterior concrete is a total waste of...

Panting exterior concrete is a total waste of time and money. But if the Boss insists, turn her loose on it. As long as she agrees to maintain the painted surfaces.
Replies: 3
Views: 1,364
Posted By BridgeMan45

Backfilling and compacting (with gravel) will...

Backfilling and compacting (with gravel) will take care of the settlement issues, and the reinforced concrete top slab will seal things up nicely. Heavy wire mesh will work just fine instead of...
Replies: 7
Views: 1,233
Posted By BridgeMan45

Depending on your soil type, I think you could be...

Depending on your soil type, I think you could be asking for problems, by making the sides of your pond vertical, at the base. If the soil ever becomes saturated, the vertical areas will collapse...
Replies: 12
Views: 2,281
Posted By BridgeMan45

I'd split the 40'-dimension into quarters (10'...

I'd split the 40'-dimension into quarters (10' each), and break the other directions into thirds (32/3 = 10'-8", and 26/3 = 8'-8"). Don't wait too long, or the cracking may already have started.
Replies: 8
Views: 1,454
Posted By BridgeMan45

Going with marksr's idea would be best for...

Going with marksr's idea would be best for several reasons: it would give you a chance to place a deeper "footing" for supporting the post, and there would be little or no chance of your new post to...
Replies: 12
Views: 2,281
Posted By BridgeMan45

Based on the updated info, I don't believe air...

Based on the updated info, I don't believe air entrainment would be necessary. That's assuming things don't change, and lots of road salt isn't being tracked in by vehicles.
Replies: 16
Views: 1,383
Posted By BridgeMan45

If that schmutz was mine, I'd try a good mason's...

If that schmutz was mine, I'd try a good mason's rubbing brick on the heavy stuff, with a diluted acid mixture. And when diluting the stuff, ALWAYS add acid to water, never water to acid. Doing it...
Replies: 8
Views: 1,454
Posted By BridgeMan45

I've replaced several rotted-out wooden stubs...

I've replaced several rotted-out wooden stubs over the years. All it takes are knees that bend, a decent pair of knee pads, a heavy-duty electric drill with long bits, a set of "beater" chisels with...
Replies: 12
Views: 2,281
Posted By BridgeMan45

You're confusing me with contradictory comments...

You're confusing me with contradictory comments of "getting no water/more likely to see water freeze." My suggestion to use air was based on what I saw in the photo--an uninsulated pole barn with no...
Replies: 12
Views: 2,281
Posted By BridgeMan45

Temps in the mid-80s would be considerably better...

Temps in the mid-80s would be considerably better than the mid-90s. If it was my money paying for it, I'd call the ready-mix supplier and ask what measures they use to keep the mixes in their...
Replies: 6
Views: 1,335
Posted By BridgeMan45

It works best to leave the top of the backer rod...

It works best to leave the top of the backer rod about 5/8" below the finished surface. That way, you can place about 3/8" of liquid sealant, leaving the top of it about 1/4" below the riding...
Replies: 12
Views: 2,281
Posted By BridgeMan45

A common mistake by inexperienced finishers is to...

A common mistake by inexperienced finishers is to start working the surface before the bleed water has completely evaporated. The result will weaken the surface, making it prone to dusting and more...
Replies: 3
Views: 1,156
Posted By BridgeMan45

How thick is the slab? Too thin, and it may...

How thick is the slab? Too thin, and it may crack when subject to loading it wasn't designed for.

And don't forget weep holes--you don't want the planters to become water-saturated
Replies: 7
Views: 1,865
Posted By BridgeMan45

One option I can think of is divorce. If...

One option I can think of is divorce.

If that won't work, try snap-traps (on the mice, not the wife).
Replies: 8
Views: 4,013
Posted By BridgeMan45

I've found that a neat (meaning no other...

I've found that a neat (meaning no other additives) Portland cement slurry, about the consistency of heavy cream, is the best bonding agent available. It's cheap, easy to mix up and apply using a...
Replies: 8
Views: 4,013
Posted By BridgeMan45

I think you should be more worried about the...

I think you should be more worried about the concrete overlay debonding from the parent concrete than a few cracks showing up. If you don't know what you are doing, it's easy to screw up an overlay....
Replies: 6
Views: 10,317
Posted By BridgeMan45

I've used cheap garden sprayers for years to...

I've used cheap garden sprayers for years to apply concrete sealers. And I've cleaned them for years using nothing but pure lacquer thinner, all without problems. I think the trick is to not let...
Replies: 11
Views: 1,211
Posted By BridgeMan45

Wow. That's more than $33 a S.F. Used to be you...

Wow. That's more than $33 a S.F. Used to be you could build an entire house for that price. Must not need work, as he obviously quoted high.

Why not do it yourself? The concrete will only cost...
Replies: 8
Views: 1,158
Posted By BridgeMan45

No. I mean making a capital "T" with the...

No. I mean making a capital "T" with the spreader beam on top of the existing column; obviously, the column will have to be shortened by the thickness of the spreader. It (the spreader) has to be...
Replies: 6
Views: 1,034
Posted By BridgeMan45

Textured, non-slip ceramic tiles are available...

Textured, non-slip ceramic tiles are available and commonly used in shower stalls, where they provide traction even when wet with soapy water.
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