National Construction Materials

 National Construction Materials Corporation is an Arizona based company that is owned and operated by people who only care about providing the absolute best products and service to the Construction Industry.  Our customer base ranges from Maine to Montana and in Arizona we are the state’s #1 Masonry Materials Distributor. Over the years, we have evolved from being a small rep organization selling concrete and flashing materials to a national company that has a diverse product line ranging from waterproofing membranes to waterstop accessories.

National’s colors and logos reflect the company’s love for The American Spirit and our desire to see the industry move into the next decade with pride, success and profitability.

We are affiliated with the industry’s best manufacturers and have membership in some very prominent construction organizations.

“PARTNERS IN PROFIT”

Concrete is strong and durable, but it’s not indestructible. Over time, temperature fluctuations and winter storms can adversely affect its surface. Continuous freezing and thawing cause the aggregate material to expand and contract. Rock salt used to melt ice makes concrete susceptible to chipping, pitting and cracking. Concrete is porous, and newly poured concrete that has not finished curing is particularly vulnerable to damage from the elements. One way to protect a concrete driveway from winter weather is to apply a penetrating sealer.

1) Thoroughly clean the surface of all dirt and debris. Mix together mild soap and hot water in a bucket. Apply the soapy mixture to the concrete with a pressure washer. If a pressure washer isn’t available, pour the soapy mixture onto the concrete and scrub with a long-handled scrub brush. Remove oily stains with a commercial degreaser. Rinse the area with clean water from a garden hose and allow it to thoroughly dry.

2) Put on goggles and protective gloves.

3) Mix the sealer well before application with a flex mixer, if possible. Use paint sticks if no flex mixer is available.

4) Pour the concrete sealer into a paint tray. Dip a large paintbrush into the sealer and use it to seal the edges of the concrete. Then apply sealer to the remainder of the concrete with a medium nap roller on an extension pole using long, smooth strokes.

5) Apply a thin, even coat and give it a few hours to dry. Apply a second coat and allow that coat to dry as well.

6) Wait a minimum of 24 hours before walking or driving on the concrete. Reapply every five years or follow the application schedule recommended by the manufacturer.

As seen on: http://www.ehow.com/how_4480079_concrete-agianst-winter-snow-ice.html

Home ownership comes with both benefits and responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is to maintain the concrete or cement paved areas around your home. While undertaking the repair of cracks in concrete may seem daunting at first, the process of fixing concrete is fairly simple. It is best to perform the repairs as soon as you see cracks appear for a variety of reasons. The primary reason to repair quickly is that the task is easier while the cracks are still small. Safety is another reason to get started right away; homeowners are responsible for any injuries that occur on their property. And lastly, cracked concrete is simply unattractive and you want to protect the looks and value of your home.

Cracks in concrete can appear in driveways, patios, sidewalks, and even around the foundation of your home. There are many things that can cause cracks in these areas, including root growth and weather conditions; perhaps the most common cause of cracked concrete is standing water. When water does not drain properly, the water works down between a weakened section and creates a crack. Unless you solve the drainage problem, the cracking is likely to reoccur, but fixing the crack itself is not difficult for handy do-it-yourself types.

For small concrete cracks, 1/8″ (3mm) or less:

• Use a screwdriver to chip away any flakes or loose concrete.
• Scour the crack with a wire brush to remove any dirt and debris.
• Rinse the cracked area using the garden hose.
• Mix up a small batch of concrete patching compound, available at most hardware stores. Adding a latex additive will allow for the natural expansion of concrete through cold and hot weather.
• Trowel the compound into the crack using a small putty knife.
• Smooth the surface while the compound is still moist; concrete compounds begin to set up very quickly.
• Allow the crack repair to dry thoroughly before walking or driving on the surface.

While the beginning steps are the same for repairing larger cracks as for small cracks, larger cracks in concrete require the use of a couple of more advanced techniques – caulking or sand packing.

For large cement cracks, ¼” (6mm) or more:

• Use a screwdriver to chip away any flakes or loose concrete.
• Scour the crack with a wire brush to remove any dirt and debris.
• Rinse the cracked area using a garden hose.
• If you choose to employ the caulking method, purchase siliconized latex concrete caulk from your local hardware store. Using a caulking gun, force the caulk deep into the crack along the length and breadth of the crack. The caulk will expand to fill the crack, and the nature of the substance will allow for expansion and contraction during weather extremes, cutting down on the frequency of future repairs. The caulking compound will self level so there is no need to smooth the surface, but for large cracks, multiple applications may be needed.
• If you choose to use the sand packing method, you will need to buy some sand and concrete patching compound, preferably with a latex additive for flexibility. Pour in a layer of sand to help fill the crack, and then apply the patching compound with a trowel. Smooth the surface quickly, and feather the new surface into the existing edges for a finished look.

For serious or exceptionally large concrete crack repairs, you may want to call in a professional, especially if the cracks are appearing around the foundation of your home. A professional can conduct a risk assessment survey to find out if there is structural damage that needs to be addressed.

As seen on: http://www.wisegeek.com/how-can-i-repair-cracks-in-concrete.htm