Wohlwend Concrete Blog

The Beauty of Decorative Concrete

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Concrete is functional, but did you know it can also be beautiful too? Decorative concrete sidewalks are becoming more and more popular these days as more homeowners realize just how much curb appeal these sidewalks can add. A company like Wohlwend Concrete can install concrete sidewalks at your St. Paul home, and we can jazz them up if you want us to. Here are a few ways we can make your concrete sidewalks as lovely as they are practical.

Stamped concrete is a great way to add some beauty to your concrete sidewalks. They can be stamped so they resemble bricks or wood, or they can be stamped with a custom design. Your sidewalks can reflect your own unique personality and they can match the exterior of your home. They are far more interesting to look at than plain concrete, and they can really give your house that added “wow” factor that can set it apart from every other home on the block.

Concrete sidewalks can also be chemically acid stained. This is when water, hydrochloric acid and acid-soluble metallic salts are combined and then applied to the concrete. The mixture reacts with the hydrated lime that is already in the concrete and becomes a permanent part of the concrete. There are also water-based stains that can be used that come in a wide variety of colors. This is a great way to get the exact look and feel you want for your new decorative concrete sidewalks at your home.

These are just a few examples of the type of decorative concrete sidewalks you can have installed at your home. When you hire a professional concrete contractor like Wohlwend Concrete, we can talk to you about the decorative concrete services that we offer. We can advise you on the best type of decorative concrete for your home, your wants and your needs. We can even walk you through the entire process, so you know exactly what to expect when we come out to install your new decorative concrete sidewalks.

Get in contact with us to get on our schedule or to learn even more about decorative concrete sidewalks and how to have them installed.

If you are interested in learning more about concrete sidewalks in St. Paul and how to get decorative concrete installed too, call Wohlwend Concrete at 651-426-2610 or you can contact us to get a Free Estimate.

FAQs about Concrete Steps

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Wohlwend Concrete installs concrete steps in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas, and we are often asked the same questions about them before, during and after the installation process. So, we thought we would take the time to go over the ones we hear the most.

Q: How long do concrete steps last?

A: When installed properly and with basic care and maintenance, your concrete steps could last several decades. They will need some regular care and maintenance, but these tasks are generally easy to take care of. Just make sure they are swept on a regular basis. You should also hose them down with water and use a concrete cleaner on them.

Q: How long should I wait to walk on my new concrete steps?

A: The time it takes for your new concrete steps to cure will mostly depend on weather conditions. But most of the time we recommend that you wait at least 24 hours or more before you walk on them. However, we will tell you how long to wait after we are done installing them.

Q: Why should I avoid using de-icers and salt on my concrete steps, and how should I de-ice them instead?

A: The best type of de-icer to use on your concrete steps is calcium chloride. It works quickly to melt the ice off of your concrete steps, but it will not destroy the steps either. Plus, calcium chloride is more eco-friendly than just about any other de-icer on the market today. After the de-icer is on your concrete steps, be sure to remove all of the slushy ice from them. This can help extend the life of your concrete steps. You can also use plain sand to make your concrete steps safe to walk on.

Q: What sets you apart from the competition when it comes to installing concrete steps?

A: We take great care to pay attention to the smallest of details when we install your concrete steps. We keep our prices fair and reasonable, and we treat all of our clients with the utmost respect and courtesy.

We hope you found the answers to the questions you have about concrete steps, but if you have one that wasn’t covered here, please feel free to call us!

For more information on concrete steps in Minneapolis and St. Paul, call Wohlwend Concrete at 651-426-2610 or you can get a Free Quote.

How to Clean and Care for Concrete

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How often do you clean the concrete at your home? You might spend some time cleaning your decorative concrete by sweeping it every week or removing leaves and other debris, but did you know you should keep your concrete clean no matter what purpose it serves? Wohlwend Concrete is a concrete contractor in Minnetonka and the surrounding areas, and we have a few suggestions on how to keep your concrete looking great!

You can clean standard concrete using a push broom, hose and a cleaner. Clear out the room or area that you are cleaning and sweep all of the dirt and debris off of the floor. Then, using a hose (or a power washer if you so choose), spray the entire floor with water. Start at the rear of the concrete area and work your way forward. Be sure to pay attention to corners, cracks and crevasses. Then spread the cleaner over the concrete. Use the push broom to scrub the cleaner into the floor and then rinse it again with the hose or power washer.

Cleaning decorative concrete uses a slightly different method. You will need a broom, a dust mop, a wet mop, a bucket, warm water and a mild cleaner. Simply sweep the floor with a broom to remove all of the loose dirt and debris. Using your dust mop, try to remove as many of the finer particles of dirt and dust. Then fill your bucket with warm water and a bit of a mild cleaner, like dish soap. You should not use any cleaners that are ammonia-based or that contain vinegar since these could damage the decorative concrete’s finish.

Make sure you wring out the mop as much as possible. Then use the mop to clean the floor in small sections. Rinse the mop and wring it out thoroughly. Then be sure to fill the bucket again with clean warm water and rinse away the remaining soap residue.

You should try to give your concrete a deep cleaning at least once a year. And, of course, if you have any questions about your concrete, you should call a concrete contractor like us for help! We can answer any questions you have.

Do you want more information about hiring us as your concrete contractor in Minnetonka? Call Wohlwend Concrete at 651-426-2610, or you can contact us and get a Free Quote.

Spring Residential Concrete Care Tips

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Now that spring is here, many homeowners are starting their spring to do lists. A sometimes-overlooked chore is concrete care. Residential concrete care in Roseville is a pretty simple process, so we thought we would share some tips on how to make sure your concrete is spring and summer ready!

Concrete is incredibly durable and it is relatively maintenance free. But with the harsh winters that we often experience here in Minnesota, even concrete can take a beating. De-icing agents can harm it, and there are other winter and cold related issues that can come up.

In the winter, you should not use de-icer on any residential concrete surface. If de-icer gets on your concrete, make sure you rinse it off as soon as possible, and make sure you also wash road salt off of your car so it does not drip onto your concrete.

In the spring, make sure lawn fertilizers do not get on your residential concrete. These chemicals can cause damage to your concrete and might require a call to us to get it fixed. Watch out for any furniture you have out too. Uncapped metal chair legs can scrape up against your concrete and damage it.

Your concrete should be resealed by professionals like us. We will seal your concrete during the installation process, but this important chore should be done every year or two to help the concrete last for as long as possible.

If you notice any stains on your residential concrete, do not treat them with harsh chemicals because these can cause more harm than good. You should figure out what caused the stain and then remove it using a cleaner that is specifically designed to remove that particular stain. For example, if your concrete has an oil stain on it, there are oil stain removers available. Test a small and inconspicuous part of the residential concrete before you apply it to the stain to make sure it does not damage the concrete.

Finally, take a walk around your house. Note where you have concrete and note if it is cracked or in need of some repair work. Then give us a call! We can come to your home and perform the necessary repair work so your residential concrete will look as good as the day it was installed.

Are you interested in learning more about residential concrete in Roseville? Call Wohlwend Concrete at 651-426-2610 or contact us and get a Free Quote.

How to Hire a Concrete Contractor

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It might be winter, but some of you might already be thinking about your spring home improvement projects and what you’d like to cross off your to do list. New concrete steps might be on your list, so here are a few things to look out for when hiring a concrete contractor in Minnetonka and the surrounding areas.

Ask Around

Do any of your friends or neighbors have concrete steps? Ask them about the concrete contractor they used. Get some word of mouth recommendations, which is almost always the best way to find a service provider like a concrete contractor. And when you contact one to start inquiring about services and prices, ask if the contractor has any testimonials. Wohlwend Concrete has plenty of testimonials from happy customers!

Ask for Samples

Ask the concrete contractor if they have any samples of their work that they can show you. Make sure the examples of concrete work they provide match up to what you want and expect. Take the time to ask questions about the contractor’s professional experience too. If you visit Wohlwend Concrete’s gallery, you can see several examples of concrete work we have done for other people in your area.

Ask for an Estimate

Get a written estimate from the concrete contractor. At Wohlwend Concrete, we can give you a free estimate on our masonry and concrete services. That way, you will know how much to budget for, and we will get an idea of what your budget is so we can work with you to stay within your price range but still build you the concrete steps you want and need!

Read References

The internet is a great place to do some research about your concrete contractor. For example, Wohlwend Concrete has plenty of positive reviews from happy and satisfied customers. Check platforms like Yelp, Angie’s List and Google My Business to see what kind of reviews your concrete contractor has received from previous customers. Wohlwend Concrete gets positive reviews online, so you can rest easy knowing we have a great track record!

A good concrete contractor will be happy to answer all of your questions and address any concerns you might have about the entire process. And this is the way we do business here at Wohlwend Concrete. We can answer all of your questions about the concrete steps process so you understand what we do and how we do it.

If you want to learn more about how to hire us as your concrete contractor in Minnetonka, call us at 651-426-2610 or contact us and get a Free Quote.