If you have noticed cracks or other problems with the concrete around your home, you might be tempted to buy some concrete mixture and patch the area yourself. This can be appealing to many people under the guise of saving money or avoiding the hassle of finding a contractor. However, patching concrete by yourself could come with a whole host of issues, including long-term pain points that impact the integrity of your home – even its resale value. Here’s why you should leave concrete patching to the pros.
Your Equipment Isn’t Right
Not all concrete patching jobs are created equal, and many tasks require more than just a trowel and some concrete mixture. If you do not have the proper tools for the task, you might end up with a repair that looks unattractive and won’t stand the test of time. Depending on the type of repair required, you may need specialized tools or epoxy injections.
Even renting these tools instead of buying them outright is an expense that the pros already have covered. Next, you need to think about the additional work of returning your rental equipment to the store-as well as what happens if you don’t complete the project as fast as you anticipated.
You Might Hurt Yourself Or Your Home
Concrete can be dangerous. It’s heavy, sharp and strong, often holding up thousands of pounds of material. If you make a mistake while patching the concrete surfaces around your home, you may damage the structural integrity of the material.
Imagine trying to clean a crack prior to a new cement application, only to delve too deep and have part of a wall crumble onto you. It could injure you and lead to more substantial repairs to your home.
You May Not Correctly Interpret The Cause
Even if you believe that you have the skills necessary to do a good job with concrete patching, you may lack the experience to identify the cause of the problem. Concrete does not crack or fall apart for no reason. If your home’s foundation is shifting or your walls are bulging, you will need to address that issue before doing any patching.
Otherwise, your repair will be temporary at best and may serve only to mask a much more serious problem. The professionals can identify what caused the concrete damage and take a more proactive stance to ensure that the repairs last as long as possible.
It Might Be More Expensive
One of the biggest appeals of do-it-yourself concrete patching is the belief that it can save you money. By avoiding the need to pay contractors and only paying for materials, you will come out ahead, right? Not necessarily.
Do you know the right concrete mixture to use? Do you know how to mix it properly? Do you already have all the tools you need at home? How much time do you have to dedicate to the project-because concrete jobs need to be completed in strategic, time-based steps? All of these factors and more contribute to the total cost of the project.
The pros will be able to reduce expenses in these areas. However, if you do it yourself, you could end up making multiple trips to the home improvement store. Don’t forget that if you patch the concrete wrong, you’ll face more expenses in the form of another repair project soon.
You Could Reduce Your Home’s Value
Most home inspectors can identify whether or not past repairs were done by a professional. If you show evidence that your home has been patched by a novice, you could reduce your home’s overall property value. A buyer will want to know that the concrete repairs are thorough and durable enough to last the test of time.
This may be less of a concern if you intend to stay in the home for some time, but the other reasons noted above should provide ample evidence that concrete patching truly is a job best left to the experts.
Trust The Experts To Help You Properly Patch Concrete
Concrete repairs are a vital part of keeping your home in good shape. However, this is a task best left to the professionals. The experts at Waterproof Caulking & Restoration would be happy to help you fix any concrete issue that has arisen. Reach out to learn more or to schedule an appointment.