Homeowners - FAQ

What is Ready Mix Concrete?
Ready mix concrete is a combination of Portland cement, stone, sand, and water.  Concrete may also contain some admixtures including minerals and chemicals.  These admixtures help to improve the properties of concrete.

What is the difference between cement and concrete?
Cement is an ingredient in concrete.  Concrete is basically a mixture of cement, stone, sand, and water.

What makes concrete harden?
When cement, sand, stone and water are combined, a chemical process called hydration occurs in the cement particles.  As these components all bond together over any given time, moisture is pushed out and evaporates leaving hardened concrete in its place.

How do I know how much concrete I will need?
Concrete is sold by the cubic yard, (or 27 cubic feet.)  A common rule of thumb is that a concrete slab with a depth of exactly 4 inches and an area of 81 square feet is the equivalent of 1 cubic yard of concrete.

What do I need to know when I call to place an order?
We will need the following information: Customer name and phone number-contact information, physical address and directions to the site, quantity of concrete (or approximate if amount exceeds a fully loaded truck,) requested delivery time and description of mix; strength, slump, fibers, slick or broom finish, etc.

What concrete strength do I need for my project?
When you call in your order, your salesman or dispatcher will assist you in making that decision.  Some basic information is; for foot traffic usage and house footings, a 3000 psi strength mix is normally acceptable.  Driveways and garages for vehicle usage; a 3500 psi strength mix is typically used.  There are other stronger and specialty mixes also available upon request.

What is slump and how does it relate to my concrete?
Slump is a measure of consistency, or the relative ability of the concrete to flow.  Most concrete mixes are based on a 4” slump, so normally, residential use concrete should be placed with a 4” slump, plus or minus 1”, to insure a proper ‘water to cement’ ratio and strength. 

How long do I have to unload the concrete from the mixer truck?
A normal amount of unloading time is 60 to 90 minutes for a fully loaded truck.  Unloading time in excess of 10 minutes per cubic yard may be subject to an additional unloading charge.  If you realize that additional pour time will be necessary, please inform the dispatcher when the order is placed.

How much notice do I need to give the dispatcher when I order my concrete?
Orders normally require a 2 day notice, but more than 2 days is acceptable.

What are fibers or fibermesh and do I need it in my concrete?
The use of fibers in concrete is recommended for reducing the possibility of plastic shrinkage cracks, fibers are normally used as secondary reinforcement.

What are shrinkage cracks and how can I avoid them in my concrete?
Concrete, like all other materials, will slightly change in volume when it dries out.  Concrete slabs will also shrink and expand with changes in ambient temperatures.  During these processes, cracks in concrete may occur.  The best method to avoid these unsightly cracks is to create expansion joints in designated areas.  This can be accomplished during the curing process or cutting joints into the concrete immediately after hardening or as soon as possible and not cause fraying.

How deep do expansion joint cuts need to be?
Joints should be ¼ of the entire depth of the concrete. A 4 inch slab must have a 1 inch joint in order to be effective.  Spacing of these joints should be approximately 2 times in feet the thickness in inches of your concrete slab (4 inch slab = 8 foot joint spacing.)  It is also recommended that you make your spacing design as square as possible.

Can I pour my concrete slab myself?
Most homeowners do not attempt to pour their own slab.  They will hire a concrete contractor or professional who is trained and has experience with the many nuances of finishing concrete.

What do I need to do to my slab after it is poured?
Curing is an important step to help increase concrete strength and durability.  The easiest method of concrete curing is to apply a coating of curing compound.  The compound should be applied as soon as feasibly possible to create a protective membrane over the concrete slab to help insure that moisture is maintained and to assist in the hydration process.

Can I add color to my concrete?
There are a variety of color choices available and can be integrated into the concrete mixture.  There are color charts that can be viewed on our website.

What do I need to know about colored concrete?
Extra care must be taken when placing colored concrete.  It is important that the slump remains consistent throughout each load.  Also, as with all concrete, you never want to introduce water to the drying surface.

How do I take care of my concrete in the winter months?
Concrete is self sustaining in extreme temperatures, however, there are precautions that can be taken to avoid damaging your concrete slab.  There is a likelihood of surface damage from the use of deicers on driveways, sidewalks, steps or patios.  Sand is a safe material to use on concrete to counteract slippery surfaces.  Never use deicers containing ammonium sulphate or ammonium nitrate, as they rapidly degrade concrete.  FYI, common lawn and garden fertilizers also contain these 2 chemicals, in abundance.