Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Quikrete has a new line of recycled concrete and asphalt products to reduce landfill waste. Quikrete Green Concrete Mix is made from 50% recycled materials while Asphalt Cold Patch contains 90% recycled asphalt from old roadways. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Updating and improving the look of your home doesn’t have to put a strain on your budget. By using recycled or reused materials, along with a little imagination and creativity, you can make a big difference in your home for a very small cost. Read on for seven simple DIY projects to get you going. Read in full.

There are a number of different materials used to create a garden path including stone, brick, concrete, and gravel. The type of material you choose will determine how it is installed. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Paul asks, “How do I add square topper stones to a curved retaining wall?“

Wedge shaped stackable stones are great for building curved retaining walls but can leave you with unsightly gaps. You can add topper stones, but it can pose some challenges. Read on to try these tips for adding topper stones to your retaining wall. Read in full.

Most cracks in slabs are small expansion cracks that should not pose a problem. If the crack will show, it can be filled with a concrete repair caulk. If the crack is 1/4” wide or wider, and one side is a different height than the other, you may have a settling problem that should be examined by a structural engineer. Watch this video.

To liven up a bland concrete patio, start by thoroughly cleaning the surface with a pressure washer, then give it character by cutting a series of shallow lines into it. After laying out the pattern for the lines, cut them into the concrete using a circular saw equipped with a masonry blade and using a board a guide. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Thompson’s Exterior Multi-Surface Cleaner with oxy-foaming action is formulated to remove dirt, mildew, and other stains from a variety of outside surfaces including wood and composite decks, concrete, masonry, and even some fabrics. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

This house on the Alabama Gulf Coast has a beautiful view of Mobile Bay, but the homeowners’ haven’t been able to enjoy it since Hurricane Katrina destroyed their deck in 2005. To remedy the problem, we’re adding a 500-square-foot addition—along with two porches, a deck, and a swimming pool. Read more to see how it was done. Read in full.

Steve asks, “I built a retaining wall out of stackable blocks last year, and they are turning white and chalky-looking. Can you help?”

Those powdery white stains on your blocks are likely caused by efflorescence. As concrete cures, the moisture slowly migrates to the surface of the block bringing dissolved salts and minerals with it. Read in full.

Before the stucco can be applied to the exterior of a house, cement board is cut to fit and attached to the walls with screws. Trim pieces around doors and windows are cut from foam blocks with fiberglass mesh embedded in the stucco to give added strength. Watch this video.