Why does so much of the concrete work here eventually mold? (I am in the Yucatan) If that is the right word for this action. The discoloring. Is there an admixture missing? Something that is used elsewhere? how much is to be blamed on the humidity? People elsewhere are experimenting w/ new mixtures (i. e. fly ash) to make less wasteful, lighter etc.; in this area, is anyone experimenting w/ new formulas? What is the difference between exposed formwork say, in the US, and here? Oh, and one more. Could 'rammed earth' construction be done here? What is the raw ingredient necessary? There is alot of limestone here.
posted by ebesan on Nov 20, 2009 - 10 answers

Is using a concrete slab with holes for plantings the best weed prevention in my backyard garden? [more inside]
posted by boby on Oct 24, 2009 - 14 answers

DIY-Disaster Filter: I sealed my new (expensive) concrete patio with water based sealant. Followed the directions by cleaning it the day prior and waiting 24 hours for it to dry completely. Just as I was finishing my first coat it started to rain unexpectedly. Help me fix it! [more inside]
posted by shew on Oct 7, 2009 - 5 answers

How easy are self-leveling cement compounds to use? [more inside]
posted by markblasco on Sep 24, 2009 - 10 answers

What is this giant concrete arrow for? [more inside]
posted by Spyder's Game on Sep 11, 2009 - 9 answers

Can I fix the buckling laminate in my new apartment without ripping up the whole damn floor? [more inside]
posted by at the crossroads on Aug 2, 2009 - 9 answers

How do I keep my dogs from peeing on the concrete? [more inside]
posted by tryniti on Jul 13, 2009 - 10 answers

Are there any flooring options for a concrete basement floor that occasionally gets moist from groundwater/high water table? If so, do I need to remove the paint on the floor first? [more inside]
posted by dayintoday on Dec 31, 2008 - 10 answers

What can I do with a 2000 SF, one-story concrete building? [more inside]
posted by boulder20something on Dec 16, 2008 - 12 answers

[ConstructionFilter] How do I convert the square footage of a house to the necessary amount of concrete, in cubic yards, for flatwork?
posted by mitzyjalapeno on Nov 6, 2008 - 21 answers

Concrete-filter: I'd like to explore making some things with concrete - pots, birdbaths and such as. Classes don't interest me, but I want to know how you do it. And do it well. [more inside]
posted by TomSophieIvy on Oct 19, 2008 - 9 answers

My wife and I own a home in central Florida. We would like to hire a contractor to add to our backyard a 10 x 20 concrete patio with a stamped pattern and an acid stain and seal. Help? [more inside]
posted by Lokheed on Sep 17, 2008 - 3 answers

I'd like to make concrete slabs and coat them with vitreous enamel, but concrete breaks down at high temperatures. Is there anything as long-lasting and beautiful as vitreous enamel that could be applied to concrete? Or is there anything with the properties of concrete that can withstand the application of vitreous enamel?
posted by Joe in Australia on Aug 30, 2008 - 7 answers

Can you tell me more about this beautiful Library/Museum of Picture Books in Iwaki, Japan? It was designed by Tadao Ando and completed in 2004 but doesn't show up in any list of his works. [more inside]
posted by junesix on Jul 25, 2008 - 3 answers

How can I make concrete somewhat easily breakable? [more inside]
posted by piedmont on May 1, 2008 - 26 answers

Trail running shoes on concrete? [more inside]
posted by devilsbrigade on Apr 7, 2008 - 8 answers

What's the purpose of painting concrete/cement block black and what are those flaps above the windows for? [more inside]
posted by nnk on Mar 5, 2008 - 11 answers

Outside on the concrete floor of the back yard, it's all green and slippery. What to do to get rid of the algae? [more inside]
posted by jamescridland on Feb 10, 2008 - 13 answers

I need some ideas to build 5 outdoor steps leading up to a door. Must be steps that can be built in the most quickest, cheapest and easiest of ways. I'm open to any unconventional plans - and of course would appreciate photos of the ideas. Right now I have at my disposal cement mix and tons of building rubble made from concrete. Wondering if the rubble can be recycled to build with. Any ideas - much appreciated!
posted by watercarrier on Oct 28, 2007 - 9 answers

Looking for advice on rebuilding / repairing a section of concrete block (cinder block ) wall that once upon a time separated two yards. If nothing else, the dog is happy with the new expanded yard. [more inside]
posted by korej on Sep 5, 2007 - 4 answers

What is the best way to heat a 600 square foot concrete slab? [more inside]
posted by CaptMcalister on Aug 17, 2007 - 10 answers

I want to keep a few bicycles on my patio (concrete slab): how can I keep them secure? [more inside]
posted by kanuck on Jun 5, 2007 - 10 answers

I am constructing a large backyard chessboard, but can't decide from what to create the pieces. Ideas? [more inside]
posted by Quarter Pincher on May 23, 2007 - 27 answers

My wife would like to demolish two 28'l x 2.5'w x 4"d concrete sidewalk tomorrow. She went and talked to Home Depot about renting an electric jackhammer per the recommendation of a buddy who will be helping her. When talking to the tool rental guy*, he suggested that she think about a demolition hammer but in reading their site the breaker seems like a better bet. She really wants to be the one to do this and she is small framed which may be the reason for the demo hammer recommendation. I suspect that it will end up being me doing the work after she realizes how jarring it will be so her doing the work should probably not be a factor. Does anyone have any experiences that would point us to one or the other? * Tool rental guy is apparently a Hilti guy who is onsite at this home depot and the demo hammer is a Hilti too.
posted by GrumpyMonkey on Mar 30, 2007 - 20 answers

Why is it that when it starts to rain, some blocks of concrete sidewalk are completely soaked, while others appear to be completely dry? [more inside]
posted by Paul KC on Jan 12, 2007 - 7 answers

We want to paint the floor in our basement office. Having removed the dark red 1970s shag, there is cement underneath, but it is sealed. 1. Is it worth it to remove the concrete sealant to use a stain? 2. Can we paint over the concrete sealant using an epoxy paint? 3. Would it just be cheaper/easier to slap down some linoleum squares? Thank you, Metafilterians, for your words of home improvement wisdom. [more inside]
posted by craniac on Oct 22, 2006 - 12 answers

Any ideas for faux concrete? [more inside]
posted by kgn2507 on Aug 30, 2006 - 10 answers

Seeking advice on how top water seepage in basement [more inside]
posted by bluefrog on Aug 26, 2006 - 7 answers

Anybody know how to remove old carpet padding glue from concrete basement floor? Remodeling the room, want to paint the concrete floor (more inside). [more inside]
posted by spock on Jul 12, 2006 - 8 answers

Dealing with "permanent" artwork from the former homeowner: Is there an easy way to replace just a few tiles in a shower? What about some of the more "creative" concrete work? [more inside]
posted by MysticMCJ on Jun 20, 2006 - 9 answers

I recently bought a house that fronts a busy street that is also quite popular with the bass thumping, custom exhaust crowd. Anyone have any advice on building a tasteful noise abatement fence or wall? [more inside]
posted by TahitiBlue on Apr 19, 2006 - 15 answers

So why do fresh concrete pavements / sidewalks eventually go dark? [more inside]
posted by snailer on Mar 15, 2006 - 16 answers

What's the best (most effective and cost efficient) way to fix undermined concrete steps? [more inside]
posted by rzklkng on Oct 9, 2005 - 3 answers

Impermeabilization/Waterproofing of a garage concrete floor ? I have seen garages covered with goey smelly petroleum based substances that couldn't be properly cleaned as the substanced penetrated somehow into the floor (guess it's years of percolation ?). What paintable product could I apply ? Please try referring to a specific kind-of-product rather then a brand.
posted by elpapacito on Sep 30, 2005 - 15 answers

Rapid self-design house building in the UK. I have an ill-informed notion that this should be possible by using pre-formed concrete slabs, but can find very little information. Can anyone shed any light on the subject? [more inside]
posted by ajp on Aug 9, 2005 - 6 answers

After popping off our (hideous) ceramic floor tiles, how do I get the cement mortar down to the level of our concrete floor? [more inside]
posted by pomegranate on Jun 28, 2005 - 7 answers

I'm thinking of building my own kitchen counter-tops from concrete. I have some how-to books and have talked to a friend who is doing it as well, but thought I'd put the question out to AskMefi. What has been your experience? Any tips or tricks? Any special materials or sealers? Thanks!
posted by jacobsee on Apr 25, 2005 - 11 answers

we have a deck on our house where I've planted tomatoes in the past. we wanted to get a custom plant container that is 3 feet high, 6 feet long and 2.5 feet wide custom made for that space. it is prohibitively expensive. i thought I remember reading somewhere about making plant containers using concrete and peat moss or something to make it lighter in weight. i think i read it in martha stewart or something. i can't remember how to do it. it's not a big deck so the dimensions are really limited. any suggestions?
posted by dstrouse91 on Mar 23, 2005 - 12 answers

Can you lay Pergo over concrete? We are negotiating with a builder to buy a house he's built. The negotiations revolve around what kind of flooring he will install. There's a family room with a concrete floor in the lowest level of the house, and we'd like to have Pergo on the floor. the room has a door to the back yard, and we figure laminate is the most durable, comfortable compromise.

The builder doesn't think you can lay Pergo on concrete, and is pushing carpet. We don't want the maintenance burden of carpet next to an outside door. Tile would be too cold. All the web sources say if you put down a vapor barrier first, Pergo is OK. Anyone have experience with Pergo on concrete?
posted by Kirth Gerson on Feb 14, 2005 - 14 answers

Can someone explain the red liquid spray patterns that appear on the asphalt of Southern California freeways? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by quarantine on Mar 26, 2004 - 5 answers

'Nother flooring question: Nurri and I want to Ardex the floors in our new place, for that clinical-industrial-minimalist look. Does anybody have any advice as to whether it's better to rip up the extant Pergo flooring and apply the Ardex to whatever substrate may be hanging out under there, or simply slap it on over the Pergo?
posted by adamgreenfield on Jan 9, 2004 - 8 answers