Save Time and Money on a Retrofit Project with Core Drilling

When a building is no longer used for a specific purpose, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to be demolished.

Many builders are now choosing to repurpose old industrial and commercial buildings and converting them for residential, business and leisure use. We’ve all seen old warehouses now being used as trendy apartments or the old factory that’s been reimagined as a restaurant or bar.

However, to repurpose a building takes specialist knowledge and usually involves using techniques such as concrete core drilling to accommodate electrical, plumbing and IT lines. This means that professionals in concrete drilling Sydney wide are in demand to facilitate the conversion of older buildings.

Retrofit Projects are Breathing New Life into Inner City Areas

In many cities, not just in Australia, but across the world, inner city areas have been decimated as businesses and manufacturing units have closed down. However, this is good news for developers and businesses that want to get their hands on prime land or who want to set up shop in the city.

This, in turn, has increased the demand for companies who have the knowledge and expertise in retrofitting that is needed to convert former industrial buildings into modern apartments, office accommodation, restaurants, shops and artist studios.

In order for the buildings to pass health and safety regulations, most of them require the addition of modern plumbing and electrics that are compliant with existing laws, not to mention bathrooms, kitchens and IT provision. This is when experts in core drilling in Sydney are called in to help by creating channels in existing concrete to carry electrical cables, pipes and conduits to all areas of the buildings.

By using a diamond-tipped concrete saw, concrete drillers make cylindrical holes that will vary in size to accommodate the services according to a pre-approved architectural plan.

The cuts made with this equipment are precise, and the amount of dust released into the atmosphere is minimal, which means that disruption is also kept to a minimum.

The Professional Way to Remove Sections of Concrete

Turning old warehouses into apartments requires many retrofit operations. In addition to fitting kitchens and bathroom, provision will need to be made for adding staircases and lifts. Where there is a concrete floor, core drilling can be used to remove the large areas of concrete necessary to fit stairs and lifts.

As core drilling can be done in relatively confined spaces, it offers a professional and cost-effective solution to removing sections of concrete.

However, for any large-scale retrofit project, it’s advisable to hire a professional concrete cutting company who have the experience and expertise to carry the job out correctly and safely.

They’ll have all the equipment needed to make light work of the task and to create accurate holes for the project to be completed successfully.

Concrete: The Most Versatile Material for Creating Beautiful Patios

Poured concrete can be used to create some amazing patio areas that simply can’t be achieved by using wooden decking or even paving and natural stone. Because of this flexibility and versatility, poured concrete is the most popular patio material, despite the increasing popularity of wooden decks.

Care Tips for Concrete before Winter Sets In

Everybody expects concrete to perform well for many years, and this is proven to be true. However just like most surfaces exposed to the elements, while there are things you can do to keep it looking good, there are also things that will contribute to a speedier deterioration of the surface.

We all want our driveways, pathways and patios to look pristine and if we get into the practise of following the following steps every autumn, you’ll extend the life of your concrete and keep it looking fresh with minimum effort every springtime.

The 3 main problems with concrete

There’s a limited number of things that can go wrong with your drive, path or patio. The most common is some form of spillage, the second problem is usually damage, maybe due to something heavy being dropped, and the third is water gathering in low spots and ultimately staining the surface with repeated drying out.

Spillages and chemicals

All oil-based products which end up on your drive should be removed as quickly as possible. The chemicals used to clean concrete are the only chemicals you should ever put onto its surface.

This process should be quickly followed by a power wash and vigorous sweep with a stiff brush. De-icing chemicals are notoriously bad for concrete and it’s not recommended they should ever be used.

Salt is okay but can have a harmful effect on new concrete, so good practise would be to only use salt on your drive when it’s had at least a year to fully cure, and always power wash afterwards.

Pressure, impact and plant damage repair

If your drive has suffered a knock or developed a crack, you may wish to have the area repaired. Small areas can easily be re-pointed, and it’s then recommended that you seal or re-seal your drive. This process is good practise and should be undertaken every couple of years.

Larger areas of damage would need specialist help especially if concrete cutting is required to remove areas of the concrete surface in order to neatly replace it. If this is the case, you’ll find local experts in concrete cutting Sydney-wide who can sort out the problem.

Over cold winter months, the expansion and contraction of a damaged area will promote crumbling and break down the surface. Inspection may show you that some small plants have taken a hold around the edges. These should be removed, and the root system treated to prevent re-appearance in the spring.

Don’t forget to keep it clean

As a regular maintenance job, power washing and re-sealing your drives and patios is the best way to keep them looking fresh. Concrete responds very well to being hit hard by water, and you may be surprised how good the end results can be.

Follow these simple tips and your drives and patios will look great for many years.

For more information concrete cutting, please visit : http://www.cuttingin.com.au/

Increase the Value of your Home By Improving its Curb Appeal

Whether you’re planning on selling your property in 2018 or you’d just like to ensure that your home is properly maintained for when the time does come to sell, there are many ways that you can ensure its value is maximized.

In addition to ensuring it’s properly maintained on the inside, there’s one other sure-fire way of massively increasing your property’s value. The answer is, of course, to give your home some curb appeal.

The following are some top tips when it comes to adding some curb appeal to your property;

1. Concrete your driveway

While it is a big investment, in addition to making your home look much more appealing, the benefits of concreting a driveway are many and include;

• Little maintenance
• Extreme durability
• Increased safety

Concrete cutting in Sydney is obviously a specialized skill so it makes sense to pass this job onto professional concrete cutters in Sydney that are known for their quality of work.

2. Plant some flowers

Planting beautiful flowers is one of the easiest improvements that can make a huge impact to your outdoor space.

So whether you choose to put miniature dahlias in hanging baskets or line your new concrete driveway with colourful carnations, you’ll be making a huge step towards improving the look and value of your home.

3. Edge your new driveway

Once your chosen concrete cutters in Sydney have finished work on your property, you can compliment your new driveway by edging it with a border that will make it look more finished and elegant.

It’s an easy enough job to complete yourself if you’ve got the time so it can be a relatively affordable solution to improving the investment that you’ve already made in hiring a professional concrete cutting company in Sydney.

4. Get some outdoor lights

In addition to increasing the safety of your property after dusk, getting some beautiful outdoor lights to illuminate your driveway will massively increase your home’s curb appeal.

Choose your lighting fixtures wisely as exterior lighting can also be used to effectively highlight your landscaping features, and make your home much more friendly and inviting.

And there you have it! From substantial investments such as concreting your driveway to simple upgrades such as planting flowers, there are literally thousands of ways that you can better the curb appeal of your home.

Whatever you decide to do, know that the investment you’re making will bring many long-term benefits.