Posted on: Friday, June 4, 2004
HOME HANDYMAN
Five-year-old driveway needs to be resurfaced
By Glenn Haege
Q. We built our home five years ago. The concrete driveway the builder put in must have been a bad mix, because the driveway now looks like it has the measles. There's pitting and flaking all over. Does this mean we have to pull everything up and start all over?
A. You need to resurface. Luckily, Quikrete makes a product called Concrete Resurfacer. It is available at Home Depot, Lowes and other builders supply stores. The trick to success is careful cleaning. You have to rent a pressure washer that develops 3,500 psi (pounds per square inch) to clean and etch the concrete. This is a dangerous piece of equipment, so protect your eyes and wear a long-sleeved shirt and slacks. Be very careful, because 3,500 psi is enough power to break windows and severely injure people and pets.
Mix Concrete Resurfacer with water, pour on and smooth with a long-handled squeegee.
If you do not feel up to doing the project yourself call a contractor.
Q. Is it a good idea to have an independent inspector inspect a newly built home before you close? Also, in building my new house, drywall was hung during the winter. Should the builder be responsible for cleaning the furnace and ducts of drywall dust?
A. It is always wise to hire an independent inspector to monitor workmanship both during construction and before closing. Some builders and subcontractors take shortcuts, which short-change the homeowner. The only way to make sure the job is done correctly is to have a knowledgeable expert monitor the job during construction. As far as cleaning out the furnace ductwork goes, it is always smart to have the ducts cleaned in a new house because tradespeople often dump drywall dust in them. It would be nice if the contractor felt responsible to do this but most don't, so get it done yourself.
Glenn Haege writes for the Detroit News. Write: Ask Glenn, Master Handyman Press, P.O. Box 1498, Royal Oak, MI 48068-1498; or askglenn@masterhandyman.com.
