"MDK did a fantastic job! Because building professionals from all fields are extremely busy in Montana during the summer high volume construction months, it's difficult to find specialized contractors. I was able to get three separate proposals but would have had to wait for two months for two of the professionals to get a job started. Tony at MDK really pulled a rabbit out of the hat. Between jobs in Dillon, Butte and Big Sky, Tony put in a week of long days and nights to completely prep, finish, speckle and overcoat my 600 sq ft garage. Because of his work ethic, punctuality and professionalism, I asked him to add a two foot spray guard around the inside perimeter of the garage to match the floor finish. I plan to over-finish the patios and walkways in the future to prevent cracking and expedite snow removal."
If you dream it, we can build it. What's the biggest difference between us and them? We build to last! We offer a full line of Green and Energy Star Certified products, backed by our labor and manufacturer's lifetime transferable warranties. Credit Cards Welcome Financing Available OAC.
Yes, thicker concrete is less likely to crack. The thicker the concrete is, the less susceptible it is to extreme changes in weather conditions that often cause concrete to crack or chip. If you’re unable to install a thicker concrete driveway for any reason, you can also ask your professional to install more rebar or wire mesh to provide greater strength and better resilience to damage.
The actual moisture level that is acceptable for your concrete floor depends on what primer or flooring material you plan to install above it. For this reason, you should check the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact details.
Generally, the moisture levels should be 3.5% to 4.5%, although it does vary. Some products can handle higher levels of moisture, so you should always test your concrete before purchasing your flooring materials.
Brick walls are typically more expensive than concrete walls due to higher material and labor costs. Brick wall costs can range from $10 to $45 per square foot, plus $70 to $110 per hour for labor. Meanwhile, concrete block walls usually cost $10 to $20 per square foot, depending on the material type. Labor for concrete tends to be less intensive and costly. Ultimately, concrete is often the more affordable choice, especially for larger projects.
Any bowing in a basement wall indicates a problem that needs to be addressed by a professional. If your basement wall bows more than 1 inch, it's time for an inspection. Generally, a wall can bow up to 30% of its thickness (around 2.5 inches for an 8-inch-thick wall) before it becomes an urgent situation. Bowing of 2 to 4 inches is more straightforward to fix than bowing of more than 4 inches, which will require significant repairs. If the bowing is more than 6 inches, the wall will likely need to be replaced. The sooner you address the problem, the easier and less expensive the repair will be.
It’s possible to pour concrete if the temperatures are expected to dip below freezing at night, but you need to take some special precautions before you do. Most importantly, you need to make sure your concrete won’t freeze, so the best thing to do is enclose the area and heat it. You should also make sure you’re using cold-weather concrete that’s designed for pouring in cold weather. Use accelerants to help speed up the curing process and avoid cold temperatures from resulting in weak concrete.
The Frazer, MT homeowners’ guide to concrete wall construction
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
