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Yes, you should always wet concrete before jackhammering to avoid harmful dust from becoming airborne. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, they recommend a wet-cut method that involves continuous spraying of the concrete where the jackhammer bit hits. Use a jackhammer with a built-in sprayer attachment, or have a work partner spray the area with a garden hose and spray nozzle.

This is a cost-effective, durable option that creates a smooth-looking surface. If you live in a high-rainfall area, the permeability of concrete millings can prevent water from pooling the way it might with a concrete driveway.

Yes, you should seal your exposed aggregate concrete to keep it protected from the elements and reduce the risk of cracking and concrete spalling. You’ll need to invest in the cost of resealing your concrete about every three years to keep it in good condition. Unsealed exposed aggregate concrete is susceptible to water damage, stains, chips, cracks, and abrasion. Sealers are available in various finishes and levels of gloss. Outdoor exposed aggregate concrete should be sealed with a non-yellowing, UV-resistant sealer to preserve the look of the finish.

Concrete houses cost 10% to 20% more to build than stick-built homes, and maintenance on home systems is more invasive and expensive due to pipes and wires being buried in concrete. Concrete homes can also look more industrial and less comfortable if you don’t cover the concrete with finishing materials. It’s also more challenging to make changes to concrete, so reframing doors and windows or building home additions will cost more. Concrete needs time to cure, too, so the timeline to build a house out of concrete is a bit longer.