Just-Poured Driveway Shows Surface Cracks :...
QUESTION: I recently poured a concrete driveway. A few hours after it was poured, surface cracks appeared. What caused the cracks and can they be repaired?
ANSWER: The problems sounds like plastic shrinkage cracking, which can occur under hot, dry or windy conditions. Evaporation from the surface causes it to dry out before the concrete can develop tensile strength. In all likelihood, these cracks do not run the entire depth of the slab and will not grow. They should be sealed to keep out water.
A sealing putty mix can be made from one part Portland cement, 2 1/2 parts sand and only enough water to allow the paste to hold shape. Epoxy resin squeegeed over the slab will also make an excellent sealer.
How to Refinish Rusty Metal Cabinets
Q: My old metal kitchen cabinets look shabby. They’re scratched, and rust is forming on the inside of the sink cabinet. Is it possible for me to refinish them?
A: Yes. Start with a clean surface. Remove rust with steel wool and prime the bare spots with metal primer. Rub down the cabinet surfaces with 00 steel wool to remove gloss.
You can use any interior paint, oil or latex, for the top coat, but for best results, use a paint formulated for metal. Auto finishes are superb, especially when sprayed on. When spraying, mask areas not to be painted. Extinguish any pilot lights in the room and wear a respirator. Apply thin, even coats, rubbing between coats with 000 steel wool. Make certain the room is well ventilated.
Repairing Chipped Concrete Stairway
Q: The concrete steps leading to my basement are chipped and broken at the leading edge. What’s the best way to repair this?
A: To repair the front edge of concrete steps, first break off defective material with a cold chisel, undercutting vertical surface so that the patches form a strong bond with existing concrete. Improvise a form by ripping a board to the riser height and supporting it with heavy blocks. Pack notch with patching mix and finish with a square trowel. To repair a damaged corner area, apply patching mix, allow it to set for 15 minutes and then finish with a steel trowel. Moisten patch occasionally as it cures.