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How To Lay A Concrete Base

Follow these steps for the best DIY project

If you are going to be laying a concrete floor for a DIY project it is important that careful preparation is made and each recommended step is followed. You may want to consider hiring a professional to do the work for you. Or at least certain parts. Perhaps the messier steps! Let’s take a look at how to lay a concrete base with this handy guide:

Mark Out Required Area

The first step is to mark out the required area for your concrete base, this can be done using pegs and string. And will need to be 100% accurate. So, make sure all sides are straight.

Dig Out The Area

Next, it is time to dig out the area you have just measured. Dig the ground in the marked area to around 175mm deep for a smaller shed or 225mm for a larger one. As you are going to need a level base it is a good idea to keep the depth you are digging as consistent as you can. Afterwards, remove the pegs.

dd Crushed Stone To Dust

For this step, you will need an MOT type 1 stone, this is crushed stone from 40mm to dust or gravel. Shovel into the space a minimum thickness layer of 75mm to form a hard base for the concrete layer. The depth should be about 100mm for a shed and around 150mm for something larger like a summerhouse. 

Measure, Cut And Fit 100m Timber Rails

Now it’s time to measure and cut and fit 100mm timber rails to the base and make sure the framework is level. This step is to create a framework that offers a strong and stable edge to the concrete and to ensure it is level.

Spread Out Layer 

Spread out that layer of MOT stone or gravel. Then use either a manual earth rammer or powered wacker plate to compact it. This will help create a firm base for the concrete and stop it from cracking over time.

Mix The Concrete 

So, now it is time to mix the concrete. Spread it out evenly and level it off. After smoothing over, grab a stiff broom to lightly brush across the base helping to encourage a textured non-slip surface. 

Keep an eye on the weather forecast at all times. At this stage, if wet weather is forecast cover the base with polythene or a tarpaulin for 24 hours. If it’s hot weather instead then use sacking and keep it damp for a day otherwise the concrete could too dry quickly. This will result in shrinkage and even cracking. You then need to leave it for at least three days to cure.

Finishing Touches 

For finishing touches, look to see if your base is flush with the ground. If this is the case, you will have a space running around the edge of the concrete where the rails were. You can fill this with pea gravel, it will help drain away moisture from the concrete base. Now you just need to place on your base whatever your intended item was!

We hope that our blog has helped you understand how to lay a concrete base. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01442 389105 or alternatively head over to our contact page to fill in our online enquiry form. 

The post How To Lay A Concrete Base first appeared on Base Concrete.

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Volumetric or Ready Mix

What’s The Difference? 

Concrete is, without a doubt, one of the most common construction materials. This is because it can be used for a wide variety of projects. It is essentially a blend of water, Portland cement, and aggregates. The two basic types of concrete used in the construction industry are site-mixed concrete and ready-mix concrete. 

There are slight differences between these two types of concrete. It is important to be aware of the differences, even if they seem subtle to you, as doing so can make it easier to choose the right concrete for your project. Here are the major differences between site-mixed and ready-mix concrete:

Preparation 

One of the obvious differences between these two types of concrete is the way they are mixed. Ready-mix concrete is usually manufactured at a plant and delivered to the clients in a ready-to-use state. It’s typically sold by volume, which is measured in cubic meters. 

Site-mixed concrete, on the other hand, is prepared at the client’s construction location. The components are mixed in specific ratios to achieve different degrees of strength. When making this type of concrete, caution must be taken to avoid quality issues. 

Time

If you are working on a time-conscious project, it’s obvious that speed is important. In such a case, you should choose ready-mix concrete, as it’s easier to load and off-load, which may save you time.

Volumetric concrete is more time consuming to work with, as you have to pause part of the project while the mix is being created. 

Equipment

An important factor for any construction project is your equipment and where you can source what you need. Volumetric concrete requires the use of equipment such as batch mixers. Whereas, ready-mix concrete does not require the project owner to hire equipment, as the concrete is not made on-site.

Convenience

Ready-mix concrete is convenient for almost any kind of construction project, as it can be delivered to multiple sites within the project location. However, volumetric concrete has to be mixed as close as possible to the point of use to avoid contamination. 

Another major difference between ready-mix concrete and volumetric concrete is storage requirements. You will require controlled storage space for the materials used to make volumetric concrete. However, when using ready-mix concrete you won’t need any extra storage space. 

Quality

Ready-mix concrete has a better and more consistent quality when compared to site-mixed concrete. This is because ready-mix concrete is mixed in an automated and controlled environment. 

Material takeoff

The materials used to make site-mixed concrete have to be estimated individually and purchased separately. However, ready-mix concrete is simply calculated as a single item. 

Waste 

Working with site-mixed concrete causes material loss not only when the materials are being mixed but also during storage. Whereas, ready-mix concrete causes minimal waste on your site because the concrete is delivered in a ready-to-use state. 

Workforce

When working with ready-mix concrete, the only time you may require skilled labour is when pouring and compacting the concrete. However, you will require more man-hours when working with volumetric concrete.

In summary,  

Both types of concrete have some major differences. It is important to research which type of concrete is best for your construction project. Generally, ready-mix concrete is a better option as it can be used for a wider variety of projects.

if you have any questions make sure to contact us.

The post Volumetric or Ready Mix first appeared on Base Concrete.

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How to Avoid Concrete Failure

While concrete is extremely strong, it can also be very brittle if it’s not properly mixed and cured. Concrete failure can occur in a variety of ways because of the versatility of this material and all of its applications.

Each type of failure is different and has its own causes and solutions. It’s important to understand how these common types of failures occur so that your project is not negatively affected.

Keep reading to learn 5 tips for preventing concrete failure.

1. Avoid trapped air 

Trapped air bubbles in concrete can cause it to fail. Concrete is a mixture of gravel, sand, and cement (among other ingredients), and when this mix gets poured into forms or molds, trapped air bubbles can form. 

These bubbles result in weak spots that aren’t able to handle pressure.

To avoid trapped air when mixing concrete, ideally, you should hire a professional with a mixer truck rather than attempting to mix and pour on your own. 

When mixing on your own, you risk adding too much water to the mix or mixing it for too long. This can cause small cracks and fissures which will leave your concrete vulnerable as well. 

2. Don’t overload concrete forms

Overloading concrete is another common cause of concrete failure. While concrete is one of the strongest materials on the planet, different types have different limits. For example, reinforced concrete should be used if you anticipate supporting a large weight or structure.

Unfortunately, some cheap contractors like to cut corners here by using the wrong type of concrete to complete the job faster. Then, once heavy loads are placed on the concrete, it cracks.

3. Always use good quality raw materials

Using good quality raw materials is another way to avoid concrete failure. This goes for both the sand and gravel used in your mix as well as the cement itself.

If you’re not using a reputable supplier, there’s no telling what sorts of additives they may be including in their products (or if any at all). 

For example, recycled or fly ash cement can sometimes be used in place of traditional Portland cement. While this is cheaper, it also has a shorter lifespan and may not meet the standards you’re looking for.

The same goes for sand or gravel that doesn’t measure up to your specifications. If it’s too coarse, the concrete mix won’t have enough cohesion between particles which can cause the material to crumble.

If you want strong, durable, and long-lasting concrete, always make sure to use a reputable contractor and supplier for raw materials.

4. Use water treated with low levels of dissolved sulphate

Using water with low levels of dissolved sulphate is another way to avoid concrete failure. You see, metal ions (especially iron or steel) can lead to the formation of rust within your concrete mix which will make it vulnerable and prone to cracking.

The easiest thing you can do here is use deionized water in place of tap water. If this isn’t available, try to use water with low levels of dissolved sulphate. This will prevent the metal ions from being deposited into your concrete mix which will result in a stronger material overall.

5. Don’t use high-silica aggregates in areas with high humidity

If you’re using high-silica aggregates in areas with high humidity, you may run into concrete failure. This is because the aggregates will absorb moisture from the air, leading to cracks within your material over time.

For example, if you’re creating a sidewalk or patio in a high-humidity area like Louisiana, and you use this sort of aggregate without a waterproof coating, you may be in for a rude awakening.

6. Hire the professionals

Concrete failure is expensive. The best way to avoid it is by hiring the professionals at Port Aggregates.

At PAI, our professional concrete contractors are skilled in creating bubble-free, high-quality pours in high-humidity areas like Louisiana.  We use only the best quality materials for our mixes and never cut corners to save money or time. 

Contact us today to request a quote for your next residential or commercial project!

The post How to Avoid Concrete Failure appeared first on Port Aggregates.

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