Concrete in Your Landscaping Scheme

Concrete used outdoors can provide an extremely durable, versatile and attractive component to any condominium’s landscaping scheme. In our reserve studies we give it a thirty to forty year useful life. It’s a long-range component in your capital reserve fund plan. If you have concrete driveways, patios, walks on your property you know, however, that it does sometimes need some help in achieving that two score and ten goal. Concrete is an engineering amalgam of Portland cement with fine (sand) and coarse (stone) aggregate. The cement paste bonds to the aggregate and bridges across it. It’s that bridging action that provides the strength we all recognize. Where concrete can get in trouble outdoors though is when water is allowed to penetrate the surface.

That saturates the coarse aggregate triggering the damaging freeze and thaw act. The way to combat that is to include entrained air admixture to the concrete at the batch plant. The entrained air admixture provides little bubbles in the cement paste that allow the aggregate to expand without damaging the paste. It’s essential too for durability that the concrete mixture have a low water-cement ratio when placed. When having work done, make sure you pass along those understandings to your contractor. Once the concrete is in service, epoxy based sealers can be used to as added protection against water penetration to the aggregate.

RepairsCracked or heaved sections of condominium concrete walks can be removed of course and new sections formed up to replace the damaged ones. Make sure the sub-base is well compacted before pouring the concrete. If the work is done in hot weather, wet the sub-base to prevent rapid loss of the mix water into the sub-base. The concrete should be misted occasionally as it cures to prevent rapid hydration of the mix water to the air. Concrete is fussy about curing. It takes about 28 days to reach its full strength. It’s the gradual loss of mix water during hydration (curing) that we like to see happen. Driveways require essentially the same precautions with an additional caveat.

They need help accepting the weight of vehicles. Wire mesh is the typical reinforcement used. Reinforcement is also a good idea for walkways. Control joints are cuts or slots provided in new concrete work to weaken the concrete locally. This tells the concrete to crack beneath the cut / groove as it expands during hydration. Otherwise it will crack randomly where it wants to, creating an unattractive piece of work. If your existing concrete is pitted and worn it can be re-surfaced. This amounts to pouring a thin application of topping material over the damaged concrete. The best surface preparation consists of scarifying the existing surface, removal of all loose material and then etching the old concrete with hydrochloric acid. The finish topping coat can provide a skid proof surface suitable for pedestrian traffic. Moss can be removed by washing the area with a solution of household bleach and water.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Burns,_P.E.,_R.S._

Condos versus Traditional Homes

For quite some time, traditional homes literally owned the real estate market. But, times they are a changin'. Today's home buyer has a few more options available to them that are equally as valuable and have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages just like a traditional home. Condos have been on the rise in popularity for quite some time now and are as diverse in theme as the imaginations that design them. This article will examine some of the differences and benefits that condo ownership offers as well as detail some of the additional fees and services that are included in most condos.

The term "condo" can apply to several different types of housing, the main similarity that all condos have is the fact that the building they are in or the property that they occupy is joint-owned by everyone who owns a unit. Typically there is also an association of some sort that is charged with making decisions that affect the building or property. This is a group made up of owners and they are charged with making rules and decisions and ensuring that policy is followed. Getting aquatinted with a given condo's association is usually a good idea before purchasing a unit.

Another aspect of condo ownership that must be noted is the monthly fees. This is separate from any mortgage fees that must be paid. These fees are collected to fund the upkeep of the building and it's services. As the individual owners are also the owners of the property itself, the responsibility falls to them to ensure that the building and property is tended to. These fees are collected by the associating and allocated according to need.

One of the most attractive aspects of condos is that they are able to offer amenities that under most circumstances, would be extremely expensive to attain in a standard housing situation. Many modern condos come ready built with pools, fitness clubs, activity rooms, spas and more. Another current development is the creation of condo and community living developments that are a part of a country club. Typically the purchase of a home or condo in these developments includes a membership to said country club.

Condos have evolved to encompass numerous different kinds of housing situations and by all indication they are quickly gaining value. Stereotypically condos have a lower starting price than standard homes, but that being said; there are condos that can reach well into the millions. Take some time and do the homework, a new condo may just be the housing situation that you have been looking for.

Adam Coyle is a representative of Smith Bowden Real Estate, serving the Madison, Wisconsin real estate community. Smith Bowden specializes in helping buyers invest in properties and expand their real estate portfolios. For more info check out http://www.smithbowden.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A_Coyle