Concreting Tips For Construction Workers During Summer

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There are a few people who think using concrete during summer is as easy as using it during the rest of the year.  High summer temperatures, low humidity, direct sunlight, high concrete temperatures and even modest wind velocity can cause concrete surface cracking (plastic shrinkage cracks).

concreting tips in hot weather

Concrete preparation, placement and curing become a problem when the weather becomes too hot. Cement starts hydrating rapidly when the temperature increases, water evaporates quickly and construction workers often get confused about how much water they should mix to prepare concrete. The objective is to prevent cracks from developing in the concrete structure later. If you want to reap all the benefits offered by high-quality concrete in Sidcup, take all the precautions necessary during hot weather concreting.

3 Effects Of Hot Weather Concreting

  • To maintain the workability of concrete, you have to mix more water when preparing it. As a result, the strength of the material reduces drastically.
  • Plastic shrinkage cracks might develop in the structure before or after the material has become hard. It generally occurs due to rapid evaporation of water when the temperature becomes too hot. Cracks might also develop in the structure due to increased drying shrinkage.
  • Water has evaporated more rapidly than they should during the curing period. The easiest way to prevent the issue is by ensuring that the temperature remains uniform throughout the curing process.
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7 Tips To Minimise The Impact Of Hot Weather Concreting

  • Avoid pouring or using concrete between 11 am to 4 pm as the temperature is at its highest between these times.
  • Create a shed in your construction site to store sand, cement and stone aggregates.
  • Keep stone aggregates cold by sprinkling water over them at fixed intervals.
  • Sprinkle cold water on reinforcements, forms and sub-grade just before placing the concrete.
  • Try to finish the concrete placement process quickly if you want to minimise the impact of hot weather concreting.
  • Using concrete after a long time you have prepared them will decrease the material’s workability. You have to mix more water to deal with the situation.
  • Start moist curing concrete once it attains the required degree of hardening.

These being said, it’s time you follow the tips stated above and choose a reputed concrete supplier if you want to minimise the impact of hot weather concreting. 

4 Unique Facts About Concrete You Will Love Reading

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Concrete is produced by mixing various ingredients like water, cement, aggregates and additives. It creates a hard and protective surface when it chemically reacts with the gases present in the air. The various benefits offered by it is one of the primary reasons why people has been using this construction material for hundreds of years. Earlier, they were used to make underground water cisterns in deserts. Nowadays, concrete is one of the most popular man-made building materials. Whether you are planning to build a long highway or just a kitchen counter-top, it is the best material as they have high strength and durability.

ready mix concrete in Croydon

Prefer Using Concrete? Few Unique Facts About The Material

  • It Is The Only Building Material Resistant To Fire And Water

Concrete is a fire-proof material which means that it won’t burn even if you set it on fire. Since it doesn’t burn, it doesn’t release toxic fumes in the air as well which makes it an eco-friendly material. The thermal conductivity of concrete is very slow so it can transfer heat with ease. Builders prefer using concrete when constructing buildings so that the structure can survive a fire. The material is also water-resistant. You can make it waterproof as well by mixing membranes and special concrete mixes.

  • It Is The Most Preferred Material For Road Construction

The majority of the motorways in the world are made using concrete. Though you have to spend more money to make a motorway using concrete instead of asphalt, the former last longer so you can enjoy it for years to come with minimal maintenance. Concrete is also a more environmentally-friendly choice. You can customise concrete mixes according to your unique construction needs. You can also save time by using ready mix concrete in Croydon.

  • Home Buyers Prefer Concrete Sinks, Floors And Counter-tops

One of the primary reasons why home buyers prefer properties with concrete outdoor furniture and garden decor is because the material can withstand water. When concrete is used for interior designing, the appeal of the inside of your home enhances drastically. It is durable and versatile which makes it the ideal material when building custom fireplaces, sinks and counter-tops. Though there are various flooring materials you can choose from, concrete floors are an economical option.

Ready Mix Concrete
  • Reinforced Concrete Works The Best For Underwater Structures

It is easy to develop different concrete mixes for specific uses as cement is an aggregate. For example, Pozzolanic is the best material you can use for constructing underwater structures like piers, tunnels, dams and sewer works. This concrete variety is highly water-resistant and more versatile than wood and steel. Even reinforced concrete has a higher compressive strength compared to other building materials.

The unique facts about concrete stated above will make it easier for you to understand why the building material is so important.

Make Your Concrete Structures Stronger In 6 Easy Steps

Concrete is nowadays being widely used for construction as the structures used to make them are sturdier and durable. Whether you are willing to construct retaining wall, floors or foundations, use concrete and you can have complete peace of mind for years to come. Another vital reason why the demand for concrete is always quite high is that the construction material is inexpensive when compared with other building materials. If you have undertaken a construction project where very strong concrete will be necessary, there are a few easy steps you can follow.

make Concrete Structures Stronger

Few Steps To Follow For Stronger Concrete Structures

·         Step 1

Rebar or steel mesh can be used for concrete pour reinforcement. Though various additives can be used to strengthen the pour, rebar is the most preferred choice. How strong the finished project will be is largely dependent on how much rebar you are adding in the concrete when constructing a horizontal or vertical project. The strength also increases when more bars are added.

·         Step 2

The strength of a concrete structure will be more, if the steel is in the centre of the wet concrete and not at the bottom. The easiest way to do this is by raising the rebar level in the flat pour. The rebar can be positioned using rebar chairs so that there is some distance between the rebar and the sand base.

·         Step 3

How long will it take for concrete to set is dependent on various factors, the weather being the primary among them. If the weather is too hot with little humidity, the structure will be a bit weak, as the concrete will set very fast. Such being the situation, talk with your concrete suppliers in Surrey and they will add water according to the consistency you are looking for.

·         Step 4

A water hose should be used to mist new concrete at fixed intervals on the day you are pouring it. After which you should use it for at least 3 times every day. The more time it takes for the concrete to cure, the stronger the structure will be. A strong internal bond is created when the exterior of the structure is misted for at least 3 days during the curing process.

·         Step 5

A primary reason why concrete suppliers never mix calcium with the material if the weather is cool is that it reduces the drying time. Though it speeds up the pouring process, the strength of your concrete structure reduces drastically. Calcium is one of the additives which support filtration of air in wet concrete.

·         Step 6

The easiest way through which the material can strengthen is by vibrating the wet concrete. It supports filtration of wet concrete into hard-to-reach areas and voids. The final product also becomes more solid as vibration removes small bubbles from the concrete.

Time to follow the steps stated above and approach the right concrete supplier in Surrey if you want the structure you are constructing to be stronger.