Transform Your Old Concrete Shed Base Into An Attractive Garden Seating Area With These 3 Repair Tasks
If you have an old, dilapidated shed in your garden, then you may be planning to demolish it. This is a great way to free up more space and make your garden a more attractive environment. Removing the shed, whether timber or steel, is usually a quick and easy task that you can do yourself. However, if your shed has a concrete base, removing it will be a back-breaking and time-consuming task that will no doubt involve the hire of specialised equipment.
Instead of removing the concrete base, it's possible to re-purpose it instead. With a small amount of restoration, it can make a great location for a seating area or a pergola. If this sounds like an appealing option, then here are three repair tasks that you may need to undertake.
1. Crack repair
Concrete is an incredibly durable material, but it can still be negatively impacted by moisture and weather exposure over time. If your old shed wasn't watertight, then your concrete base may have developed cracks on the surface or through the whole depth of the concrete.
Even a badly cracked concrete base can be salvaged by using the services of a concrete crack repair contractor. They inject a liquid material that's generally made from polyurethane or resin into the cracks which fills the gap and binds the separated pieces of concrete together again. The process makes your concrete stronger and will expand its lifespan dramatically.
2. Grinding
Old concrete has often become stained, watermarked and eroded in areas, giving it an overall appearance that is unattractive for a pleasant garden seating area. You can have it looking fresh and new again by having the top layer of concrete ground off by your concrete contractor.
This process strips the stains and damaged concrete away and exposes the raw, clean and undamaged below the surface. If you're not planning on adding a different material over the top of your refreshed concrete base, then a second treatment with a finer graded concrete sander will polish and smooth the concrete surface.
3. Sealant
If you're using your revamped concrete base as a new garden feature, then you'll need to protect it from the elements to prevent it from becoming stained and ugly again. A concrete sealant will create a waterproof barrier over the surface of the concrete and protect it from staining and weathering.
Adding a sealant is also a great opportunity to add some vibrancy to your new garden feature. Sealants that incorporate a bright and attractive colour are available and you can also recreate the look of natural stone by using spray on, textural sealants.