A Consumer Guide to Ready Mix Concrete

January 21, 2014

With advances in recipes and materials available in the construction industry, you can now have a batch of concrete made to your exact specifications for almost any purpose. These advances change all the time, and no matter whether you’re a complete novice or a seasoned expert our ready mix concrete tips could help you when you decide to place your next order. Choosing the mix you need There are so many ways in which concrete can be utilised these days. With a range of additives and aggregates available, you can produce a mixture specifically for your needs whether you are laying…

How to Clean Concrete Driveways

December 18, 2013

Even if you don’t put a great deal of thought into the kind of concrete you use for your driveway, you should always try to take good care of the surface. In future you may want to move and sell your house, and when people come to look at your home the driveway will be a clear indication as to what they can expect inside – with oil spills and a mud coating you’re giving the signal that you don’t care about upkeep or cleanliness. At Roadmaster Concrete, we have a raft of experience in the concrete industry and want to…

Environmental Impact of Concrete Production

November 28, 2013

Concrete has been the primary construction material in our towns and cities for well over 100 years now, with its roots dating back centuries. It’s synonymous with industry and manufacturing, but despite what you may think concrete production is actually far better for our environment than similar processes for other construction materials. This is reassuring to know, especially at a time when the compromise between green practices and industrial growth is so stretched. The resources needed to create concrete (mostly sand, water, aggregate and cement) are natural and abundant, and its use helps to sustain other, less plentiful materials, such as…

Laying Concrete Garage Floor Slabs: What You Need to Know

October 29, 2013

Whether used to store the family car or an array of garden furniture and tools, ensuring that the floor of your garage is durable and secure is vitally important. Most garages will have concrete floors, designed to be long-lasting and robust. For those building a new garage, or renovating an existing one, here are a few things to look out for when approaching concrete floor slabs… The first step to making sure your concrete slab floor is laid correctly is to prepare the base. Concrete can be lain directly onto soil, as even low quality earth has a high load-bearing capability…

A Guide to Concrete and Concrete Mixtures

September 15, 2013

Though a familiar part of our 21st century environment, concrete has been used for construction since ancient times. Roman forms of concrete, using hydrated lime and volcanic ash, were markedly superior to the predominantly sand and lime mixes used by other civilisations. Mixing The characteristic strength and density of concrete is related to the proportions of the three principal ingredients: water, cement and aggregate. The aggregate component is generally a type of gravel and/or small stone mixture which gives a rough or smooth texture to the finished concrete, reflecting the fine or coarse nature of the aggregate mixture. Water is generally…

How to Repair Cracked Concrete

July 19, 2013

Concrete is a very strong building material that can cope with large amounts of stress, but it is possible for it to be damaged. However, there are several methods that can be used to repair damaged concrete. The technique that is chosen will depend on the extent and location of the crack. Narrow concrete cracks are easier to repair than those that are wider, as long as the correct techniques are followed. Loose debris should be removed using a wire brush, and then the area should be washed using either a bucket of water or a hose. This will remove any…

A Beginner’s Guide to Staining Concrete Floors

June 26, 2013

You may find this hard to believe, but staining a concrete floor can be a complex task; especially for a beginner. Different stains have different chemical compositions that may react with the flooring, while others do not have the durability necessary for the material of your floor. Here are some tips to consider if you are a beginner and you plan to do it yourself… For the staining process, you will need protective clothing, including rubber boots, safety glasses, gloves, long trousers and a sleeved shirt. A fan is also useful to provide fresh air. Use plastic bags to cover what…

How do Concrete Pumps Work?

May 23, 2013

A concrete pump is a piece of apparatus designed to simplify the process of moving liquid concrete from one place to another. They have become a mainstay of any application requiring large volumes of concrete, and replace the old method of shifting concrete by manual labour alone. Broadly speaking, there are two main types of concrete pump: boom-mounted concrete pumps, and line concrete pumps. Boom-mounted concrete pumps are attached to a large computer controlled boom which is often mounted on a truck or other large vehicle. Concrete can then be pumped to a site specified by the computer. This type of…

Screed: What is it Used For?

May 7, 2013

What is Screed? Effective mixing and application of screed is an important part of the concrete laying process, and understanding exactly how and why it’s used is the only way to create a long-lasting and stable surface. Fundamentally, screed is a levelling material, usually sand and cement, poured onto a structural concrete foundation layer and flattened to allow for a smooth surface for finishing materials. Wearing screeds are also available, where the screed serves as flooring itself with a visually desirable texture that has been used widely as an architectural feature. Usage The laying of screed was once a manual job,…

Volumetric Concrete Mixers: The Benefits

April 2, 2013

Developments in technology are forever making life more convenient for us; reducing effort and increasing productivity. The construction business is no exception, with advances in all areas – from machinery to materials – helping all contractors to produce work quickly and efficiently. One such advance in the concrete industry has seen the introduction and development of the volumetric concrete mixing method – an innovative technique that provides a huge number of benefits for both concrete producers and trade customers alike. Volumetric concrete mixing has become the norm within the construction industry, slowly taking over from traditional methods since its creation in…