A Happy Family

Cracked concrete is an eyesore and you want to get it fixed as soon as you possibly can. You can take care of simple cracks yourself or you can hire a repair company to handle the repairs for you.

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Should you decide to go the DIY way, you will need tools and materials to work with. Get armed with these and you are set to go to work:

Tools

Ø A concrete float

Ø A jointer

Ø A sledgehammer

Ø Chisel

Ø Wide brush

Ø Broom

Ø Trowel

Materials

Ø A latex bonding agent

Ø Concrete mix

Ø Sand

Patching cracks

There are many concrete repair companies that can give you a crash course on how to dosimple repairs on your cracked concrete walls. Of course they can also do the repairs for you if you prefer, but if you are looking for something to do over a long break, this as good as anything. You will be able to look at your wall with a sense of accomplishment and say, “I did that myself.”

The technique for filling in cracks depends on how small or big the crack is.

1. Narrow cracks

Ø You will need a wire brush and broom to clean the crack and the surrounding area.

Ø Fill the crack with masonry crack filler or a vinyl concrete patching compound and smooth over with a putty knife.

2. Wide cracks

Ø Undercut the edges of the crack using the sledgehammer and chisel to make the crack wider at the base than the surface. This way, you will be able to keep the patch in place more securely and the repair work will be permanent.

Ø Using the wire brush and broom, clean the inside and outside of the crack with a stream of water.

Ø Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to mix the vinyl patching compound and fill in the crack using a trowel.

Ø Remove air pockets by tamping the mixture.

Ø If you prefer to use patching mortar, you can either mix it with a bonding agent in place of water, or use the bonding agent to coat the edges of the place to be repaired.

Ø Using the trowel, smooth the mixture.

Ø Depending on the patch you have used and following the manufacturer's instructions, smooth or brush the surface until it matches the surrounding area.

Watch out!

Follow safety precautions all the time. While using the sledgehammer or chisel, you should be decked out in:

Ø Safety glasses

Ø Gloves

Ø Long sleeves

Ø Long pants

Otherwise, you will find yourself nursing some serious bruises if not a fractured finger or two. Aside from these, you also need to ensure that your work area is safe after you are through with the repairs.

Ø Chisel down any sharp edges left from your repairs.

Ø Sweep away any loose debris left around the area.

You do not want your clothes caught on sharp edges or to step on some sharp stone.

Remember to check in with concrete repair companies near you not only for tools and materials, but also for expert advice on how to carry out the repairs, the safety measures to observe as well as how to ensure that your repair work lasts.

Oiling your hair is important to guarantee healthy and strong hair strands. Oils contain crucial fatty acids that help in healing the hair strands from within and sealing the cuticle. Regularly oiling your hair will help to improve texture and tone of your hair when carried out properly. This is why you must learn how to oil hair correctly to achieve desired results. Here are tips for applying oil to your hair for best results.

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Heat the oil

It is important for you to heat your oil before you apply it to your hair and scalp. Lukewarm oil will stimulate your hair follicles and will penetrate the scalp and hair more easily. You can warm your oil by putting a bowl of oil in the microwave for about 10 seconds or placing the oil in a bowl and putting it in hot water to warm it up. The latter technique is much better because your oil will not be excessively hot for application and the nutrients will not be damaged by heating.

Avoid pouring oil on your head

When oiling your scalp and hair, you should never dump the liquid on your hair or head. It is important that you dip your fingers in your oil and make partitions of the hair using your fingers. You should then apply the oil using your fingertips for excellent results. You should ensure that the tips of your hair strands get adequate oil because they do not get any nutrients from the scalp.

Oil scalp and hair

Most people tend to concentrate on oiling the scalp and forget the hair. If you want to know how to oil hair, you should concentrate on both the scalp and oil. It is important that you spread the oil down the length of your hair if you want to achieve a healthy looking and lustrous mane. When applying oil on the scalp in different sections, you must also run a piece of oily cotton wool along the hair strands and provide them with the hydration they so need.

Avoid excessive oiling

Oiling your hair regularly can be amazing; however, you should not oil your hair more than twice every week. This is because excessive tampering with the scalp can be quite irritating. Furthermore, washing off the hair oil will involve shampooing it several times and this can result in the hair being stripped of its natural moisture and sheen. While oiling your hair is amazing, it is crucial that you do it with moderation.

Leave it on long enough

After applying oil in your hair, you should leave it to soak in. The entire hair treatment process will be pointless if you rush for a head wash immediately after applying oil. It is important that you allow the oil to soak in for about one hour. You can wrap a hot, damp towel around the hair to open up the pores and allow the scalp and hair to absorb the active ingredients in the oil.

Hair is one of the most important ornaments of natural beauty. Oiling is important to help handle problems such as dandruff balding, and hair fall as oil moisturizes and hydrates the hair. Without oil, your hair will become dry, fizzy, and rough. This is why individuals must know how to oil their hair and scalp the right way to guarantee a beautiful and healthy hair.