Wohlwend Concrete Blog

Proper Concrete Cleaning Techniques

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For those living around the Twin Cities, concrete sidewalks, driveways and stairs can be the perfect addition to your property. Maintaining concrete is not very time or labor intensive. Concrete is durable and can last for many years with some simple, routine cleaning. In this blog, we’re going to cover some of the basics about caring for concrete.

Sealing Concrete

Sealing your concrete is an especially important step for all those with exposed concrete on their property. For example, concrete sidewalks, driveways and steps should all be sealed. By sealing your concrete, you are protecting its color and shielding it from the elements. You are making it easier to clean and more stain resistant.

Routine Cleaning

You should routinely clean your concrete sidewalks and other products with soap and water. By using a scrub brush, some detergent and a hose, you will be able to remove any grime on the surface. For a more thorough cleaning, a power washer will be required. Concrete is a durable material, so feel free to scrub to your heart’s content. You should routinely clean your concrete about twice a year or as you feel necessary.

Cleaning Stains

Removing oil and grease stains from your concrete will require a little more work. Clean up any stains as quickly as possible for the best results. You will have to be extremely careful in using muriatic acid to bust through stains. Wear proper clothing, gloves and protective eyewear. Pour some acid on the stain, scrub and then rinse away with a hose. This should take care of any challenging stains.

In need of a concrete sidewalk, driveway or stairs? Call Wohlwend Concrete today at 651-426-2610 or Request a Free Quote.

3 Concrete Reasons to Choose Concrete over Asphalt

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Are you installing a new driveway or walkway at your Twin Cities home? If so, you may be doing some research into concrete and asphalt. There are a couple of major things you’ll want to take into consideration with these two materials. As your local Twin Cities concrete contractors, we’ll cover the reasons why concrete is an optimal paving material.

1. Climate Considerations

Since we live in the Twin Cities, an area that is no stranger to fluctuations in temperature, concrete is the superior option. In areas that have warm summers, asphalt has a tendency to become soft and sticky. This can lead to deformations, in some cases. Also, in winter, snow, ice and salt can melt into divots in your driveway or walkway, creating an unwanted splotchy look. Concrete is able to stand up to conditions in both summer and winter.

2. Routine Maintenance

Concrete requires little routine maintenance. Once the concrete is poured by our concrete contractors, it can last for decades. Concrete driveways and walkways can be sealed by our concrete contractors for added protection, but it does not need to be resealed as often as asphalt does. Asphalt needs to be resealed about one year after it is installed and then about every 2-5 years after that. With proper maintenance by you or concrete contractors, concrete driveways and walkways have a longer life than asphalt.

3. Beauty

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we think you’d probably agree with us on this one: Techniques can be performed on concrete to make it more aesthetically pleasing. You can choose a pattern to be stamped into your concrete, as well as have it dyed. These embellishments are impossible to create on an asphalt driveway or walkway. Concrete’s unique look is unmatchable.

With concrete’s ability to handle the weather, low annual maintenance and unparalleled beauty, it’s the clear choice for your next project.

To have our team of Twin Cities concrete contractors install concrete on your property, call Wohlwend Concrete today at 651-426-2610 or Request a Quote.

Affordable and Reliable Concrete Driveways

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What’s reliable, sturdy and eye catching? Concrete driveways! Concrete provides a superior alternative to other traditional driveway paving materials. You probably use your driveway almost every day, so lay down a driveway your car would be proud to be seen with. If you live anywhere around the Twin Cities, including Minneapolis, concrete driveways are an option you should strongly consider.

Concrete Driveways

As we covered before, concrete driveways are unmatched in their durability. If properly maintained, they can last upwards of 30 years! This should be exciting news for any homeowner. Concrete can stand up to the elements, making it a viable driveway option. They are extremely resistant to abrasion and deterioration over time. This is a benefit because your driveway is a surface routinely utilized.

Stamp & Color

Want your driveway to really stand out? Beautify it with a stained and stamped concrete option. We can bet your neighbors don’t have a driveway that looks cobblestone, stone or brick. This type of embellishment can add visual appeal to the exterior of your home. Your driveway doesn’t have to be drab anymore. Make it just as visually appealing as the rest of your home’s exterior.

Maintenance

One of the best features about a concrete driveway is that there is not much required maintenance. If there are any stains, leaks or spills, it is recommended they be cleaned right away. This will help them from setting in and becoming permanent. It is also easy to clean concrete, if that should be necessary. Some good scrubbing can restore the beauty of your driveway in no time. Sealing your concrete driveway annually can prevent any wear and tear taking its toll on your investment.

Want to get started installing a concrete driveway? Call Wohlwend Concrete at 651-426-2610 today or Request a Free Quote.

Decorative Concrete Techniques

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Decorative concrete is a term used to describe concrete that has undergone any number of alterations to change its appearance. At Wohlwend Concrete, we’re sure you know how reliable concrete is, but did you know that it could also be beautiful? In some cases, dull gray concrete just won’t cut it. As your local St. Louis Park decorative concrete installers, we can add a touch of class to your concrete project. In this blog, we explore some different techniques to creating a decorative concrete effect.

Staining

Staining is one approach to give concrete a more decorative appeal. The process requires taking a cured concrete slab and treating it with a stain suitable for concrete. Concrete can be colored with acid stains, water-based stains or acrylic stains. Each method produces a different result, but the overall outcome is the same. Stained concrete can add a desirable addition of color to any project.

Stamping

Stamping concrete can give your project a unique look and feel. At Wohlwend Concrete, we have an extensive selection of patterns to choose from. To have a decorative pattern stamped into your concrete, we’ll have to do it while the concrete is still wet. It is possible to go back and add stamping later, but it is a more time-intensive project. You can also combine the staining and stamping processes, so your project can have a distinct pattern and color.

Sealing

Sealing concrete is the finishing touch that any decorative concrete project needs. This process will help the concrete retain its color and durability. Concrete should be regularly resealed to maintain its beauty. You should have your decorative concrete resealed by us, your local to St. Louis Park decorative concrete experts. Sealing concrete can prolong your project’s life.

Have concrete installed by calling 651-426-2610 or Request an Estimate today.

Questions to Ask Your Potential Concrete Contractor

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Choosing a Minneapolis, St. Paul or Roseville concrete contractor may seem overwhelming, but if you know what questions to ask, the answer will easily become clear. Wohlwend Concrete is your choice for a reliable, local concrete contractor, with the experience and dedication to professionally complete your project. In this blog, we review some of the questions you should be asking any potential concrete contractors.

1. How long have you been in business? You need to find out how long they’ve been in business, for obvious reasons. With time comes experience, and you have a higher likelihood of receiving a quality job from a concrete contractor with more experience.

2. Who will oversee my project? Find out if there will be anyone doing a quality assurance check on your project. Inquire if there is a site supervisor or more experienced team member that will be assigned to your project.

3. Do you have any previous projects or previous customer testimonials I could browse? They say word of mouth is still the best method of recommendation, and that is a lot easier today with the Internet. Find out if the concrete contractor you’re looking to hire has anything available from previous customers. Their feedback could provide a lot of insight.

4. Do you give free estimates? Make sure you get an estimate before you jump into a project. You will quickly learn we have fair and honest pricing.

How We Stack Up

  1. Wohlwend Concrete has been in business since 1985. That’s over 35 years of service to the Twin Cities. We are established in our field, and we can tackle any concrete project.
  2. Scott Wohlwend, owner of Wohlwend Concrete, will personally check every project to make sure it is going smoothly.
  3. We have a Photo Gallery and Testimonials available for review. We are proud of the work we do and are happy to share with you our previous jobs.
  4. We do offer Free Quotes. We have reasonable costs, sure to fit your budget.

Call us today to get started on your next concrete project at 651-426-2610.