Interesting experience—I see your point, but honestly, I've found that even mid-range concrete can hold up surprisingly well if you add a good sealant afterward. When we did our patio, we didn't go for the premium mix either, but we applied a quality sealer after curing. It's been years now, and no flaking or chipping yet...maybe worth considering next time? Proper sealing can sometimes bridge the gap between average and high-end concrete.
Good point about the sealer, but a couple thoughts from my experience:
- I've found mid-range concrete can hold up fine for patios or walkways, but foundations might be a different beast entirely...especially if you're dealing with moisture or freeze-thaw cycles.
- Did a small storage shed foundation myself a few years back with average concrete and sealed it well afterward—still got some minor cracking after a rough winter. Nothing major, but noticeable enough to make me wonder.
- Maybe climate and drainage play bigger roles than we think...?
"Maybe climate and drainage play bigger roles than we think...?"
Definitely agree with this. I've seen clients go all-in on high-end concrete only to face similar cracking issues because they overlooked drainage or didn't account for local weather extremes. Your shed experience sounds pretty typical, honestly—minor cracks are almost inevitable. Good prep work and proper sealing help, but sometimes nature just wins. Don't beat yourself up over it; sounds like you did a solid job overall.
Good points raised here. Drainage is definitely a biggie—I've seen several projects where folks underestimated how much water runoff they'd get, especially after heavy rains. Even with top-notch concrete and careful prep, if water pools around the foundation regularly, you're bound to see some cracks eventually. A simple French drain or grading adjustments can make a huge difference. Sounds like your shed turned out pretty decent overall, though...small cracks are just part of the DIY journey sometimes.
Did you end up having to adjust your grading after the fact, or did you plan for drainage right from the start? I've learned that lesson the hard way myself. I remember my first DIY concrete patio—I was so focused on making it smooth and level that I completely overlooked runoff. Big mistake. First heavy rain, and I had a mini swimming pool right against the house foundation...not fun. Had to rip up part of it and redo the slope, which was a pain, but definitely worth it in hindsight. Curious if anyone here has tried permeable concrete mixes or pavers instead—wondering if they'd be a better option for smaller DIY projects like sheds or patios to avoid drainage headaches altogether?
