It’s important to remember that you don’t always have to tackle all your projects around the house by yourself. Whether your need sidewalk repairs or something more complicated, we’re always happy to help with the concrete portions of the project.
A later version of Roman concrete was made from a mixture of crushed tile and lime if volcanic ash was scarce. One of the most famous examples of Roman concrete is the base of Hadrian’s wall.
Concrete has a very high compressive strength that can have added tensile strength when reinforced materials such as steel are added. In fact, the concrete that Romans used was as strong in compressive tests as modern concrete is, but it lacked tensile strength that new reinforced concrete has developed.
If you have problems with pests in your landscape, concrete can be an excellent solution. It is termite, mold and mildew resistant, and does not attract small mammals like some wood finishing products can. Concrete is also fireproof and durable.
Concrete construction allowed early architects to design stronger and more durable buildings, but the ability to build taller structures came with the implementation of what? That would be steel reinforcing rods built right into the concrete.
Concrete curbing is much easier to care for than other types of lawn edging as it will not fade, fall apart, or deteriorate from the elements or contact with lawn care equipment.
The versatility of concrete allows curbing to be formed to match the designs and colors that are key elements of the architecture of your home, enhancing and complementing them.
Modern concrete formulations are more than cement, water, and aggregate. Today’s products can have a number of admixtures (such as fibers or plasticizers) included to increase the performance characteristics and workability.
Foundations can be laid in winter, though the process is a little more intensive. To allow the foundation to cure properly, the ground must be protected from freezing.
Over 2 billion tons of cement is produced each year and over 140 million tons are recycled annually. This number is much different but the amount of concrete being recycled each year has gone up in recent history.
When sand and water were added to primitive concrete mixtures of gypsum and limestone, mortar was created. This enabled major advancements in construction for ancient civilizations, as the mortar allowed the stones and brick to adhere to one another.
The Egyptian Pyramids used a very early form of concrete over 5000 years ago. They mixed mud and stray to form bricks and used lime to make mortar. Not until the Romans came did cement come close to what we use today.
While it certainly seems counterintuitive, did you know that concrete was once used to make ships? Known as ferrocement ships, these vessels came into existence due to the shortage of steel during the tow World Wars.
After our concrete is poured, it is usually finished using a broom or trowel. A broom finish is usually performed on outdoor surfaces like sidewalks and driveways to crease a non-slip surface. Trowels are used to provide a smooth finish to interior concrete surfaces.
Too much water in a concrete mix will cause a weaker final product. Only so much water can evaporate before the mixture cures, so the less water, the better.
In colder regions such as the northern United States, the ground can freeze during winter to a depth of several feet. In frost heaving, soil swells upward due to the expansion of ice growing towards the surface.
Can you guess the three basic ingredients used to make concrete? If you guessed sand (and sometimes small stones), water, and cement as a binding or gluing agent, you're right.
Homes built with pier and beam foundations are elevated above ground, so they typically feature a crawlspace. This construction method remains popular, because plumbing and electrical systems can be easily accessed without damaging or interfering with the foundation.
Inspecting the foundation of your home or building not only involves an evaluation of the damage, but also determining if any dangerous conditions that may have caused, or is the result of, that damage.
It’s important to remember that we deal with projects of all sizes. Whether you need the concrete to build a swimming pool or for a major retail development, we’re always here to help you get what you need.
Cement used in Roman times was made from crushed rock that had burnt lime added as a binding agent, resembling today’s concrete. Volcanic ash and pulverized brick were later added to the burnt lime and were referred to as “cementum.”
We understand that the quality of the concrete you pour can have a major impact on the stability of your building. That’s why we work hard to provide quality concrete you can count on.
Basically, the term “thermal mass” describes the ability of construction materials to absorb, store, and release heat, and thus regulate temperature in buildings. Concrete is a heavyweight material and thus provides a high level of thermal mass, making it very energy-efficient overall.
If your project calls for an exposed aggregate finish, we can help. We can show you how adjusting the type of aggregate used in the concrete can create different types of finishes to give your drive or walkway a customized look.
