Concrete is a versatile material often used in construction for a reason. Once it hardens, it can last decades and provide sturdiness in a structure, especially for your driveway. As summer approaches, you may realize it's time to update your driveway pavement. Regardless of how active and handy you are around the house, however, concrete repair projects aren't something for you to take on yourself. Here are reasons you should avoid DIY concrete work on your garage or any other part of the home.

Expertise

Working with concrete requires expertise. Workers must undergo training before working with concrete to prevent devastating accidents. They understand how to mix the concrete, pour it, and test for final hardness. There are many tools involved in this process that you likely don't have experience in as a DIY hobbyist.

What if you need to extend your driveway? Do you understand the best method to do that safely? Your concrete repair service knows how to extend your garage, seal cracks, and make the space level again. A professional contractor can ensure the final project will result in a safe pavement to walk and drive on because of their expertise in doing so daily.

Safety

According to House Grail, over 4 billion tons of cement are produced annually, which is a key ingredient in concrete. Thanks to the material composition, it's imperative that anyone working with it uses the proper safety equipment. Professionals understand the correct PPE, such as hard hats, goggles, and safety glasses that can shield themselves from dust or debris from concrete splatter. After all, wet concrete will eventually harden, and you don't want that getting into parts of your body, such as your eyes, nose, or mouth. Additionally, concrete is very heavy and if you can't lift it properly, you may cause yourself an injury, particularly in your back. Many injuries happen daily in construction, even with trained professionals who know what they're doing. If you do this type of work as an amateur, you can easily hurt yourself which will result in medical bills. According to Cement.org, direct skin contact with cement can cause skin irritation or burns, so you must wash off immediately and seek medical attention.

Drying Time

The drying time of concrete driveway repair can vary. While you can walk on it in about two days, you must remember to wait a week before driving on it. According to Bob Vila, it takes about 28 days for concrete to reach strength and stability for all activity to be safe. Professionals know the proper drying time for the amount of concrete used. If you do this project yourself, you may forget how long it takes to dry. Don't mess up your concrete driveway by moving your large vehicle on it before curing.

Savings

Concrete driveway repair will cost time and money regardless of who does it. You may think doing it yourself will save you money, but it may cost you more later. If you make a mistake, such as not mixing the concrete correctly or driving on it before it's cured, you have to pay money to get that fixed. In addition to spending more to repair your driveway surface, you may have to spend more money if you drive your car on it too soon. Wet concrete can splatter on tires, auto bodies, or your car windows. If medical insurance doesn't cover the extent of injuries you get from using concrete correctly, that's more money out of your pocket.

Damage Assessment

One of the best things about hiring a professional team is that they know how to properly assess existing damage. Your driveway or walkway may have more damage than you realize. There may be drainage issues impacting your home foundation. If you just apply concrete over that space, you're not addressing the issue and will exacerbate it. Don't be surprised if the concrete you lay down yourself develops cracks, holes, and weeds sprouting up because you never dealt with the underlying problems. Your professional concrete driveway repair professionals will handle these issues before laying down new material.

As you can see, working with concrete is a serious job done by trained professionals. If you don't know what you're doing, you could hurt yourself, waste materials, and cause more problems. When you need a reliable concrete driveway repair service, look no further than our team at A1 Driveway Replacement Company. Contact us today for a consultation.