One of the great things about our show is that The Guys get to talk about construction, a topic we are passionate about.
Our nearly 90 years of combined experience only serves to inspire curiosity regarding new materials and techniques.
We have seen buildings constructed out of foam blocks, rammed earth, reinforced concrete, steel, geodesic domes, and composite units that resemble oversized Legos.
All of these technologies are explored as ways to expedite construction, gain efficiency, solve material and acquisition issues, and deal with an inventory of houses and buildings that are in need of updating.
One ongoing issue that has plagued building owners in colder climes for decades is concrete with an aging surface.
Concrete pitting refers to the appearance of crater-like holes on the surface of a placement, whether it is a sidewalk, driveway, or other installation.
Several different factors may collude to cause this situation, from poor-quality concrete or installation to exposure to extreme weather conditions, to long-term wear and traffic, or chemical reactions like those created by deicers or harsh chemicals.
This malady weakens the surface of the slab and may expedite further erosion of the placement, making it more susceptible to cracking, further spalling, and possible vertical displacement.
In the past, the industry has been hard-pressed to develop a good solution to this issue that doesn’t require complete replacement of the material. Concrete overlays have been on the market for years that involve installation of a skim coat, various spot patching products that may work for a while but lend an acne-scarred appearance to the installation, and polyaspartic coatings that can seal and smooth the surface while improving the overall look and even lending a custom finish to the product.
In the past week, one of our trusted professionals, Bethel Custom Brick in Fraser, Michigan, introduced The Guys to a product called Vuba Stone. Google it. It is intended to be used as an overlay on existing concrete and asphalt surfaces.
Tracy Herald, an owner of Bethel, is excited about the prospect of using this product to enhance existing drives, walks and porches, preserving and protecting the surface while adding to the long-term value of the property.
A Vuba surface at first reminds us of an exposed aggregate look, whether placed over concrete or asphalt.
Small, clean stones are mixed with a resin and catalyst, then carefully installed over the existing prepared surface and a geotextile mat.
The manufacturer claims a permeable surface is created that can handle vehicular traffic in as little as three days compared to the twenty-eight-day cure Bethel would require for a new concrete installation.
The fact that this product can be installed over existing surfaces removes the hassle and time expense of demolition as well since minimum prep is required.
Herald claims a near infinite combination of stone colors are available, including glow stones, which the Outside Guy, our resident “cement head, has spoken of many times.
Glow stones are created from glass, resins, and quartz as photo luminescent aggregates that emit visible light on a darkened surface. They can be integrated into fresh concrete and Vuba installations from driveways to patios, porches, pool decks, sidewalks and more.
Although Vuba Stone is a new product in the United States market, it has been successfully used in Europe for several years and currently carries a five-year warranty.
The company claims very little maintenance is required other than routine cleaning and periodic application of a sealer, much like The Guys advise for any such installation.
If you are tired of the rough texture appearance of a pitting and spalling surface, you may want to give some thought to installation of this new product.
The Guys take great pride in trying to make your experience as a building owner one that is rewarding emotionally and financially, while lowering the stress usually associated with hiring housing professionals.
As you consider moving ahead with improvements, maintenance, or even new construction, talk with the professionals you can find every day at Insideoutsideguys.com
Listen to the Inside Outside Guys every Saturday and Sunday on AM 760-WJR from 10 a.m.-noon or contact us at insideoutsideguys.com.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Repair your crumbling driveway with Vuba Stone
Reporting by Ken Calverley and Chuck Breidenstein, The Inside Outside Guys / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ken Calverley and Chuck Breidenstein, The Inside Outside Guys | USA TODAY Network
