Buzz
An empty garage.
Image courtesy of iStockphoto/Slobo MiticIt often feels like there's always something that needs fixing around the house. After the winter thawed, cracks appeared all over the front pathway. Then, as spring rains arrived, the basement's vulnerability to flooding became evident. And, no matter the season, the garage floor never fails to look grimy.
Repair costs can add up quickly. While a dirty garage floor isn't always a major issue, it can be irritating. This is where Quikrete comes in. Whether you're fixing concrete structures or applying surface coatings to preserve their quality, Quikrete provides an affordable, DIY-friendly solution to tackle these home repair projects.
Concrete is a blend of cement, water, and aggregates like gravel or sand. It's a favored construction material due to its affordability and the simple, plentiful nature of its components. Concrete is highly adaptable, available in various colors, and can be molded to fit many different uses. Plus, it's incredibly durable, standing up to fire, decay, extreme weather, and even wear from animals. The downside, however, is that it's challenging to handle and requires a long drying time [source: Materials Science and Technology]. This is where Quikrete excels.
Depending on how much you use, Quikrete’s quick-drying concrete can set in as little as 10 minutes, though larger projects typically take between 20 and 40 minutes [source: Pavement Package]. Available in both small packages and bulk, you can prepare, set, and finish your project in a single day. This convenience eliminates the stress of renting trucks, heavy equipment, or hiring a contractor – making Quikrete the perfect solution for DIYers.
The following pages will dive deeper into the specifics of mixing and setting Quikrete, and the various options available. Turn to the next page to begin your journey into setting up your own concrete project.
How to Mix Quikrete
Traditional concrete can be tricky to manage. Many concrete projects can quickly drain your budget – renting a heavy-duty mixing truck, securing all necessary materials, and dealing with transportation issues if the truck can't reach your site. Even though pouring concrete isn't overly complicated, it often exceeds the average DIYer’s physical or time constraints. You'll likely need to hire a professional, which adds more costs. Using Quikrete for your concrete needs can help you save time, effort, and money.
For the best Quikrete texture, use one part water for every five parts of the mix. The ideal consistency should resemble modeling clay [source: Quikrete]. To get the right balance, you may need to adjust the proportions, much like perfecting the texture of oatmeal. If the mixture is too thick, add water a little at a time. If it’s too thin, incorporate more mix. Once you’ve reached the right texture, a small garden shovel can be used for touchups, or you can mold the Quikrete into larger projects.
Turn to the next page to explore the various coating options available for your Quikrete projects.
Mixing Quikrete is simpler than traditional concrete mixing, but still requires some effort. To make the process easier, John Shoemaker created the Cretesheet – a durable square tarp, roughly 4 feet (1.22 meters) on each side, with handles on all four corners. Place the Quikrete mix in the center of the sheet, add water, and with the help of a partner, you can easily mix the concrete by lifting and lowering the handles. The sheet costs less than $20 and significantly reduces the hassle of mixing by hand [source: Burlingame].
Quikrete Coatings
Concrete surfaces should be protected with a coating. Applying a sealer or coating to your cured concrete will help prevent chipping, fading, and make it easier to clean. Once the concrete is fully cured, applying the coating will reduce the amount of maintenance required [source: My Garage Floor Coatings].
Here are the different Quikrete coating products available:
- Epoxy Garage Floor Coating – primarily designed for garage floors but also suitable for any indoor concrete surfaces.
- Epoxy Multi-Surface Coating – strengthens and seals interior concrete floors and can also be used on outdoor surfaces like walkways and patios.
- Premium Clear Epoxy Coating – ideal for interior surfaces, but also performs well in garage settings.
- Epoxy Industrial Floor Coating – a heavy-duty option for high-traffic surfaces like garage floors that endure tough conditions.
- Anti-Skid Textured Coating – perfect for stairs and pool decks, this coating helps prevent skid marks in high-traffic zones [source: Quikrete Coatings]
In addition to the coatings, there are several other products designed for sealing and finishing your concrete surfaces:
- Basement & Concrete Floor Paint
- Garage Floor Sealer
- 1-Part Epoxy: Garage Floor Sealer
- Multi-Surface Concrete Sealer
- Natural Look Waterproofer
- Wet Look High Gloss Sealer
- Etching Stain High Gloss Sealer
- High Gloss Sealer
- Exposed Aggregate Sealer [source: Quikrete Coatings]
Whether or not you choose to handle your home repairs yourself, Quikrete could be the efficient and cost-effective solution you're looking for. For more information, visit your local hardware store or big box retailer to explore the range of Quikrete products available.
Cement, commonly known as "Portland cement," was first developed in England in 1824. It got its name due to its resemblance to a stone found exclusively on the Isle of Portland. The mixture of limestone, clay or shale with sand or iron ore and water resulted in a substance that became stronger over time. Today, it stands as the most widely used building material globally [source: Empfield].
