Say So Long To That Old Concrete Patio and Update Your Outdoor Space

Back in the 70’s and 80’s, pouring a concrete patio was an easy and inexpensive way to enjoy an outdoor living space with relatively little upkeep. But over time, that surface has likely begun cracking and crumbling, leaving you grumbling and wondering what to do to breathe new life into the backyard. Luckily, there are plenty of options that will allow you to give that old concrete patio a facelift without having to jackhammer it out and start all over again. Also, autumn is a perfect time to kick off a project like this because the weather is beautiful and you won’t have to forgo any summer fun to get the job done. So if that old concrete is giving you the heebie-jeebies, here are a few ideas to bring it up to date with the times:

Stain.

If your concrete is in good condition without a lot of cracks, a color treatment might be all you need to give it new life. Best of all, this is an easy do-it-yourself job that can be tackled in a day or weekend. Staining concrete works by breaking into the surface to create a different color or texture, so you’ll need to add a non-slip sealant to ensure the concrete stays strong. Also, never use an indoor product for outdoor purposes as they will make the concrete very slippery after rain. The most popular staining trend right now is transforming the cold gray color of concrete to a warmer, more natural reddish brown.

Scoring.

People love pavers because they break up a patio with more texture than one huge slab of concrete. You can achieve a similar look by scoring your current concrete and adding patterns and lines to mimic the look. This will require a professional who will come in and use a machine to cut one-quarter inch lines into the original pavement. What’s neat about scoring is that you can choose tons of different designs - from traditional square or rectangular shapes to diamond or intersecting lines. What I love about scoring is that you get a similar look to pavers without having to worry about weeds growing through the cracks.

Veneer pavers.

If you really love the look of pavers, it’s possible to lay thinner stone over your existing concrete slab, just as long as the finished height won’t cause any drainage or walking issues. It’s always a good idea to have a professional look at the property first to make sure you won’t have any problems down the track. If you have the height clearance for it, the project is simple and the veneer of your choice can simply be mortared onto the existing concrete for a whole new look. If your current concrete has visible cracking, this is a great way to cover it up, but if the patio is crumbling, you might need to have it repaired before going over it with a veneer.

Walls.

If you’re not into refinishing your concrete, you can create dimension by adding walls or fencing to the backyard. Creating individual spaces for dining, cooking, or lounging can be done with low walls which can double as seating, or higher walls to create privacy and intimacy. If you’re looking for a less expensive option, a trellis or vertical garden can be built to create a beautiful green wall in the warmer months. Even rows of potted palms will do the trick, plus they can be moved around depending on the different ways that you’ll be using your space.

No matter how you choose to update your concrete patio, there are plenty of options based on both your needs and budget. Do you have another idea that you’d like to try? I’d love to hear from you. Send me a message on Facebook at facebook.com/odonnellbros.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Protect your home from winter drafts

If your house has old doors, winter can be a drafty time of year. Luckily, there is an easy, do-it-yourself fix to help you keep the cold air out and the warm air in where it belongs. Here is my guide to sealing your doors before the cold sets in.

Examine your current weatherstripping for any rips, bends or wear and tear. In older doors, the seals usually deteriorate before the doors themselves, which will allow air to pass through. If you can feel a draft coming from the edges around a closed door, it’s time to give them a little facelift.

Measure the top and sides of your door jambs with precision; you want the fit to be snug and airtight. I always say, measure twice and order once! Once you measure the doors, you’ll find the materials that you need either at the local hardware store or online on any home improvement retail site. In addition to weather stripping, you might also need a sweep, which is the strip along the bottom of the door that looks like a tiny broom and keeps the gap between the door and the floor sealed. If yours is damaged or has broken off in parts, now is a good time to replace it. Luckily, basic individual weatherstrips and sweeps can cost as little as $10 each, which is a lot less than investing in a new door.

Just like painting, when you start weatherproofing you’ll need to begin on a clean surface. Scrape any old debris so the gap is free and clear. You want to make sure your gap is in good shape to lay the strips evenly and you need to have enough room for the strips to grip properly.

Finally you can install your new weatherstripping. Cut it to size before you put it into the groove and ensure that you don’t stretch the material to fit – it will return to its original size and leave you short. Secure it firmly into the groove and open and close the door to look for any protrusions or gaps.

Weatherstripping is a quick, inexpensive fix that will help you stay warm in the winter and give your heating bill a noticeable break. But just like any home improvement tasks, if you’re not comfortable using basic tools and equipment, you might want to leave the job to a professional. Either way, keep your family warm this winter and take some time for yourself to enjoy the holiday season.

Fix Little Things Now to Save Big Later

When you own a home, it can feel like something is always going wrong, especially if you purchase an older home and inherit the problems that go with it. There are a few things you can let go, and there are others that, with a quick fix, will allow you to breathe a sigh of relief in the long run. So in the spirit of Black Friday, here are my top tips for big home improvement savings.

Overflowing Gutters

This autumn the leaves fell late, which means your gutters might be filled to the brim with debris. Clean them out before the snow comes or you might be looking at thousands of dollars in water damage. If your gutters are clogged up, the water from the snow has nowhere to go – so it will either seep into your roof or pour down into your foundation. Either way, a season of repetitive flooding might be too much for your home to handle. Call a professional for a gutter cleaning, or if you’re comfortable on a ladder you can do it yourself with a scoop or lawn blower.

Deteriorating Deck

If you’ve been out on your deck all summer, you may have noticed a few loose, soft or sagging boards. To check the damage, poke the boards with a screwdriver and see if the wood feels spongy. If it does, you could have rot. Rather than spend thousands to remove the whole deck, pull off the damaged boards and replace them with new wood before giving the deck a fresh coat of paint or stain to protect it before winter.

Moldy Foundation

Mold can be a fairly straightforward problem to deal with, unless you have it growing on your foundation. If you have plants and shrubs along the base of your house, the water you use to keep them hydrated and happy could be seeping down into your home, causing mildew and eventually rot. Check the perimeter of your home for any signs of mold, and take a look to see if plant roots are starting to crawl around your foundation. A good rule to follow is to keep shrubs at least three feet from your house and choose plants that are compact growers. A quick check and some pruning could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage repair.

Worn Wood Floors

If you have old wood floors, keeping them fresh with a protective layer of topcoat can prevent them from splitting, splintering and drying out. If you are starting to detect signs of wear, sand down your floors and apply a new coat of polyurethane. You can also opt to rent a floor polisher from your local hardware store. Some simple upkeep every few years should save you from replacing the entire floor, and from the bill that goes with it.

Peeling Paint

If you notice paint peeling on the outside of your home, now is a great time to scrape, sand, prime and re-paint the exterior. Not only will it make a huge difference cosmetically, it will also protect your home from seasonal rain, snow and wind damage. If the paint is only peeling in certain areas, it might be because that area is prone to flooding, so take care and inspect any wood for rot, especially around window sills and door frames.

Home maintenance can be a pain but spending thousands on unnecessary replacements is a whole heck of a lot worse. If you’re not sure where to start, a home improvement specialist can give you a thorough inspection to identify potential problem areas before they become a major headache. Enjoy your leftovers everyone and Happy Thanksgiving weekend!