Planning To Construct Concrete Buildings? Know The 7 Steps Involved

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One of the construction materials which people have been using for years is concrete. Every concrete building is durable and requires minimal maintenance. Recently, construction workers have started using innovative concrete technologies which have made laying and pouring of concrete easy. If you are willing to use the conventional method of concrete construction, get in touch with an experienced supplier of concrete. A majority of them have years of industry presence and know the various ways you have to follow when preparing the construction site, build the framework, place reinforcement, mix, pour, finish and cure concrete.

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Follow The Steps Below And Construct Concrete Buildings In Bexley

•    Estimate The Materials You Need

It is necessary to mix the concrete ingredients in correct proportion if you want the material to be of high quality. The batching process will help in carrying out the right measurement of the concrete ingredients. Approach a renowned supplier of concrete in Bexley as the proportion and quantity of cement, water and aggregates are important.

•   Prepare The Site

A very vital aspect of pouring concrete is site preparation. It is the responsibility of the construction workers to ensure that concrete is poured on a compacted and well-drained soil. The subsurface should be properly prepared and it will help in minimising potential cracks.

•   Build The Formwork

The importance of formwork in construction can never be neglected as they are responsible for supporting structures. Moulds are also created inside which concrete is poured. Few materials generally used to build the framework are steel, wood and aluminium.

•   Place Reinforcement

You can protect a concrete structure from displacement by placing the reinforcement accurately and supporting it properly before placing the concrete. Construction workers place reinforcement after considering the number of bars, bends, positions and bar lengths. This step will assure that the steel is bonding well with the concrete.

•   Mix The Concrete

How you mix the concrete ingredients will impact the quality of the concrete, both in its hardened and fresh state. It is necessary to mix the material well. It should be informed in colour. You can achieve proper consistency if the material is designed the right way.

•   Pour The Concrete

It is necessary to pour the concrete within the initial set time if you don’t want to deteriorate the quality of the concrete structure. Two common methods through which concrete is poured are pumping and manual transportation. Sometimes, vibrators are used to compact the poured concrete.

•   Finish The Concrete

How you finish a concrete structure is very important as it renders the building a smooth finish. Hire experienced contractors as they know the right method screeds and trowels that should be used to level the surface after the concrete is poured.

These being said, it’s time to follow the steps below above and constructing concrete buildings will become easier.

How To Use Ready Mix Concrete For Your Project During Winter?

ready-mix-concrete

Do you have a construction project coming up this winter season? But, with the cold weather outside making things more complicated, are you perplexed about what to do? Well, even though the cold season isn’t ideal for concrete, you can turn things in your favour. Are you wondering how? Well, all you need to do is approach the best suppliers of ready mix concrete in Croydon. Trust us; they can protect your concrete from the damage of cold weather.

How To Use Ready Mix Concrete

Pouring concrete in winter season is inevitable for contractors who have to work in colder climates. The material loses its durability, weather resistance and comprehensive strength if it freezes during the pouring and setting process. And, only the concrete suppliers and contactors protect the material from the damage of cold weather. This means that if your project requires pouring concrete during the winter months, you need to approach the experts.

The Winter Mix

As the weather gets colder, concrete suppliers will heat the material during the mixing process. The extra heat accounts for the expected drop in temperature during an average one-hour delivery in the winter season. This heat will prevent concrete from cracking, freezing and losing its comprehensive strength in the cold climate. Leading suppliers of ready mix concrete in Croydon also provide customers with the warmest possible on-site concrete.

Even the concrete mix matters to the overall project. Depending on the outside temperature and your project requirements, the suppliers will adjust the mix. This will help in pouring the concrete well and setting quickly in the winter weather.

Addition Of The Accelerators

Adding accelerators to the mix speeds up the concrete setting time as well as allow it to cure faster. Also, this prevents the concrete from freezing and experiencing any frost damage. Moreover, accelerators help in speeding up the finishing phase. The less time it takes for project completion, the better the quality of the finished product.

Water-Reducing Additives

Water-reducing additives create a higher-density paste of cement. This results in more weather-resistant and stronger qualities in the concrete.

Avoiding Fly Ash

Do you plan to expose the cement to de-icing chemicals once it cures? If so, you will want to reduce or avoid the amount of fly ash that’s added to the mix. This is because; fly ash can lead to scaling or peeling of the surface when exposed to de-icing chemicals.

Pouring Concrete In Cold Weather

Even though winter isn’t the ideal time to pour concrete, it’s possible to pour the concrete well enough. By taking just a few steps, concreting can result in a long-lasting, strong product in the cold season. To protect your poured material from damages, you need to remember certain rules. These include-

·         Never pour concrete on ice, snow or frozen ground

·         All protrusions and corners must be triple wrapped

·         In case the ground is frozen, thaw it for two days by using blankets and heat pipes

·         Cover the material until it cures completely So what are you still thinking of? Approach a reliable concrete supplier and get started with your construction project!

Hire The Best Concrete Suppliers In Croydon For High-Quality Concrete Work

The focus of every construction worker is always on providing the highest standard of concrete work. If you also want your construction project to be both beautiful and durable, the first thing you need to do is to choose a renowned concrete supplier. They should have years of experience in providing high-quality concrete in Croydon. Since their focus is always on maintaining their reputation, you can stay assured that they will provide quality concrete. Just discuss your concrete needs with them, and they will suggest the best concrete variety which will help construction workers deliver great work.

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4 Factors Concrete Suppliers Consider Before Starting Concrete Work

·   Condition Of The Soil

The longevity of a specific structure is mainly dependent on the condition of the ground which it has been constructed. It is advisable to avoid land comprising of clay and fine particles if you don’t want the structure to become vulnerable to cracking. This is because it takes a long time for water to drain in the soil, which increases the water table. If you have to build the structure in such ground, make sure there are at least 2 inches of gravel or engineered soil placed below the concrete slabs.

· Dowel Pins

Dowel rods and dowel pins are generally used in civil constructions and provide a mechanical connection between two slabs without restricting its horizontal movement. Ask the contractors to use them at places where the concrete meets the foundation of your home. This prevents the concrete slab from settling in the foundation which would have otherwise drained water towards your home, flooding the crawl spaces and basements. The rebar mats help in resisting bending forces.

·   Thickness

The thickness of the concrete structure is a vital thing to consider, so stay away from contractors who are too greedy or lazy to pour concrete of sufficient depth. Not only will it harm the durability of the concrete structure, but cracks will develop all over it, and finally it will fail. If you are not sure about the proper thickness, talk with your concrete suppliers in Croydon. Generally, the poured concrete should be around 4 inches thick if you are doing some residential flatwork. You will get good concrete work if its thickness is checked before the slab is poured.

·   Control Joints

The primary task of concrete joints is to create weak points on the surface of the concrete slabs so that cracking occurs inside the joint and not on the surface. This is why they are known by the term control joints and are placed inside the concrete slab. The maximum distance between two joints should be 12 feet in each direction. Just check whether the contractors are cutting the joints to the proper depth.

Since you are now aware of the factors which impact the quality of concrete work, it’s time you start with your construction project.