Concrete Contractor Harrisonburg

We understand that concrete and cement are terms that are often used interchangeably. However, the truth is that cement, as in Portland Cement, is actually an ingredient found in Concrete. Crazy, right? Concrete is made up of aggregates (sand, gravel, crushed stone) and a paste (water and Portland Cement).  Mix the 2 and you get concrete. So it's ok if you use the two terms interchangeably, we won't hold it against you. But technically, cement is a component of concrete. Now you know!

Pouring your own concrete would seem to be a cost-saving method for building, but the time and effort involved in this process probably cancels out any savings. Also, it is difficult to achieve concrete of consistent quality or strength if you are pouring without professional assistance. The materials required can be purchased in bulk, but the equipment and skills necessary to mix and pour the concrete are usually acquired over years and may not be available at home. Without the proper (and expensive) tools and equipment it is difficult to impossible to attain the smooth, level, and attractive finish we have come to expect with concrete.

To achieve the great looks and long-lasting durability of concrete, it's definitely highly recommended to hire a professional. DIY can be great for very small projects such as a few custom pavers in your garden, or a small pad to set a bench on in the backyard. For any larger projects where forms are being built, leveling is needed, or time requirements and structural integrity are important it is best to call in professional help. 

There are quite a few factors that go into a final cure time, so every concrete pour may be a little different. Factors include the specific mix of concrete, the temperature and humidity, as well as the depth of concrete poured. In general though, it takes 2-3 hours for concrete to set, 7 days to fully cure, and 28 days to reach maximal strength.

Absolutely! Coloring concrete is becoming more and more popular, particularly when combined with stamped concrete. Concrete colors can be mixed in during the pour or applied later as an acid stain or special paint. Whatever method is chosen, we can provide a great array of colors for any project you have in mind. Give us a call and let's discuss your project.

This is a great question! While concrete is an extremely durable product, it's not indestructible. Avoiding harsh acids for cleaning, and de-icing chemicals is a good start. Regularly cleaning and sealing your concrete will improved its lifespan and enjoyment. Don't allow overweight vehicles on to a poured concrete product or cracking and buckling could ensue. Ask your local concrete expert what the allowable weight is for specific product.

Proper Concrete maintenance will go a long way toward extended enjoyment of your concrete product. We offer complete concrete maintenance and repairs when needed. We're just a phone call away.

There are several methods for removing stains from concrete and we are experts at all of them. Though concrete is very durable, it is not indestructible and should be stain treated with care so as to not undermine its strength.

For minor stains, the first step is to remove as much of the stain as possible with a scrub brush and water. Next you will want to use an alkaline solution like Lime-Away or Soda Crystal Cleaner. Last, you can apply a degreaser and then finish with the concrete sealant of your choice.

For more intense stains you may use dry methods such as sandblasting. However, there are other options such as flame cleaning and shotblasting which both use some form of abrasive in order to clean the surface. These methods typically result in an even appearance with less visible pores or pits on the area that was treated compared to grinding for example which leaves behind small scratches and marks when it's used on this type of material.

There are also wet methods for stain removal. The wet methods of removing concrete stains include the application of water or specific chemicals to dissolve and eliminate any potentially visible staining substances. These solutions are determined by what type of stain is present on your surfaces, whether it's a natural substance like coffee that can be dissolved with vinegar; an organic matter like grass clippings which needs bleach for removal; or something inorganic such as oil products which require hot water extraction (sometimes also requiring chemical additives) such as in power washing. You should always consult experts before deciding how best to clean your concrete.

We should always set out to protect our surface work from the elements whenever we can. Concrete is no exception.

In the real world time and weather does not often/ever wait for us to prepare. In those rare cases where pouring concrete must be done in the rain, then one of two things are going to happen. If a proper foundation or formwork has been built there may not be any issues with water permeating through and causing damage down below. This would take extra preparation such as properly sealing all sides and joints of forms and placing tarps or plastic sheeting over the freshly poured concrete to protect it from too much rain.

It could also go terribly wrong at this stage, resulting in torn up concrete, lost time, poor quality concrete that is peeling/flaking off or even worse a mold infested foundation due to not enough care being taken during the process.

With proper preparation and forethought, a little rain won't hurt a fresh concrete pour. While it always best to pour concrete in dry conditions, our concrete experts have the experience to gauge every single project to ensure that rain before or after won't affect the final product.

The concrete surface will flake or spall when water sits on the surface too long after it has dried. This can happen in two ways, either from cracks that form due to shrinkage and stress as well as heaving (where a slab is unevenly sloped) which cause some of the water to seep under and freeze; or by rainwater soaking into an unprotected porous layer below ground level which freezes eventually expanding beneath the concrete's surface.

If this is happening to your concrete, you can call on our concrete repair specialists to take care of the issue quickly and effectively.

When concrete dries out, its volume changes. Typical volumes change by about 500 millionths of an inch in 10 feet- that is 1/16th of an inch over the course of a 100 foot stretch of concrete. Concrete contractors put joints in when pouring to account for this shrinkage so when cracks form they do not run together and make it appear like one giant crack across the floor or pavement but instead stay neat and straight at each joint where there are separate pieces meeting up with other ones next door.

Concrete can crack for a variety of reasons. In some cases, the concrete is too thin or there are not enough reinforcing materials to support it; in other cases it may be due to improper curing procedures which can happen with new construction projects where the building process is rushed.

If your sidewalk has cracks that keep growing wider over time, you'll need our professional service team on hand as soon as possible.

Yes, your professional service team can repair cracks in concrete with a variety of techniques. It will depend on the severity of the crack and where it is located to determine which technique would be best for you. If the crack is very deep or if there are many cracks that cross each other, we might need to jackhammer out all or part of the affected area before filling it back full size with fresh concrete. 

When it comes to patching and sealing cracks in concrete, there are many different options available. For larger cracks that measure over 1/4 inch wide, a more permanent solution would be using a concrete patch compound mixed with water. Smaller fractures less than an inch or so can be repaired quickly by applying liquid-filled polymer sealant from the inside of the structure outwards towards any visible damage on either side. The best thing about this option is its speed; most repairs only take minutes at most!

This is a frequent question we hear, especially in regards to driveways. While we obviously prefer concrete, asphalt has its place as well.

Concrete is often more expensive to install than asphalt but you get so much more for that cost. Concrete is more durable, with more application uses, and adds more value to your home or business.

Read our page on the pros and cons of concrete and asphalt and make your own decision. We believe that concrete stands on its own merits and is a fantastic option with many uses. But each project and use is different. Call us for an expert opinion, we'll shoot you straight.

There are plenty of Valley Concrete Contractors nearby, so why choose Pro Concrete Harrisonburg? We believe that our combo of quality work, expertise and experience, commitment to your complete satisfaction gives us a real leg up on our competition. Plus, we're just nice to work with. 

If you have any concrete project that needs to be done, give us a call and we'll get you started with a free quote. We aim to be the best concrete contractor company in Harrisonburg and beyond, serving our customers with exceptional quality and value.