Home Improvement Projects: Hiring a Contractor

A lot of people tend to make some mistakes when they are out trying to hire a good contractor. Usually people will hire someone that has plenty of advertisement. However, this is a good way of hiring someone that has no idea what they are doing, so it is important to do your research when you want to hire someone that knows what they are doing.

When searching for a contractor, you may want to talk to your friends and family if they can point you in the right direction. Your friends and family should be able to help you out without a doubt because chances are they hired some kind of contractor at least once in the past.

Another thing you will want to do is look for some of the local professionals in your areas and list down some that interest you so you will be able to compare them later.

Once you have a good list of contractors, you can figure out if they have a good reputation by using websites such as the better business bureau which can be a gold mine of useful information.

The next thing you will have to do when hiring a contractor is to ensure that they have the proper licenses and certifications to handle your home improvement project.

It is always a good idea to ask for a list of some references you can call up. You can ask these people if they were happy with the work that was done.

It is important to make sure you are able to put everything in writing when you hire one of these contractors to work for you. This means that if they provide you with a warranty or with an estimate, then you will need to have that put down in writing. If the company offers a guarantee, it is important to get that into writing as well. This will ensure that the company will keep its word when they tell you something, so always get everything in writing so you will have proof.

It is not that difficult to find an excellent contractor to handle your home improvement project. Just make sure you take your time and do your research so that you will know exactly who you are hiring and you will know exactly what to expect from their work. Because it pays to make the right decision the first time around.

The post Home Improvement Projects: Hiring a Contractor appeared first on ThermoConcrete.

How Necessary Are Concrete In These Modern Times?

The world is ever changing and part of the change is the creation of different kinds of infrastructure projects that will make it possible to attain development. That is why, in any development, concrete is something that plays a vital role. It is in fact one that plays a centric role when it comes to the circular economy in general. As concrete is being used, you see schools, hospitals and different offices that are seemingly sprouting everywhere.

Thus, concrete should be seen as something that is bringing about developments to those who know how to maximize its use. It is one that is perhaps an integral aspect of what the world really needs. There are so many important benefits of concrete and that understanding such will give you a bigger overview of the benefits it carries.

The Role Of Cement And Concrete In The Circular Economy

The question is: what is our role in the circular economy, and what do we realistically have to offer?

• Raw materials: Did you know that the raw materials that we use (limestone for cement and aggregates for concrete) are abundantly available in Europe? This is important, as we are not extracting and using scarce raw materials.

• The cement manufacturing process: It probably comes as no surprise to hear that we use primarily coal and petcoke in our kilns. But what you may be less aware of is the fact that we are able to replace part of these traditional fuels with fuels and biomass derived from waste. Not only does this form of energy recovery reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, we are also able to recycle the ash back within our process. Our main energy sources are : petcoke, oil are the primary fuels with which we fire up our kilns; that, you know; what is probably new to you is that the cement industry in Europe takes a pioneering role in recovering energy and recycling material from waste in an operation we call “co-processing”

• Concrete: Concrete is in fact made up of cement, water and aggregates (gravel, crushed stone, sand, recycled concrete). And guess what: concrete is 100% recyclable and can go back into concrete as a recycled aggregate or into other applications (e.g. road base). Another interesting fact is that concrete is such a durable material that structures can last for decades, or even centuries! We have all heard of the Channel Tunnel, but what you probably did not know is that the concrete used to build it is contractually guaranteed to last at least 120 years! Visit main article source…

Additionally, if you wish to benefit so much from concrete, then you need to know the practical uses of such in your home. As a homeowner, you can see that concrete can be used to make concrete countertops, and when you partner it with precision grout, and then it is certainly going to make you realize that you’ve made an ideal choice at the very first glance!

Can I Use Non-Shrink Precision Grout to Create Concrete Countertops?

NSPG and Concrete Countertops

This is part of the problem with using NSPG for countertops. With the oridnary applications that NSPG is intended for, usually not much of the grout’s surface area is exposed to the air, so drying occurs slowly. With a countertop made out of NSPG, there is a huge amount of surface that can dry out. Thus any early expansion that would normally counteract the inevitable shrinkage is overwhelmed by the excessive amounts of shrinkage caused by rapid and continuous drying.

Countertops are large, flat beams with large amounts of surface area exposed to the air, so drying becomes a serious issue. As concrete dries and loses moisture, the capillary tension created by the water in the fine pores causes volumetric shrinkage. It is the loss of internal water that causes the shrinkage. The longer the concrete is allowed to dry, the more shrinkage will occur. For larger pieces of concrete, drying shrinkage can continue for years. Even very thin pieces of concrete will continue to shrink over time, as will be seen below. View more details here: http://ift.tt/2gRsZTI.

So remember that, concrete will give any infrastructure project that you are making the durability as well as longevity that it must carry with it. Thus, you can certainly reflect on the value as well as that of the importance of the product in whatever it is that you are using it for.

Image Credits: http://ift.tt/2gRuiSv.

The post How Necessary Are Concrete In These Modern Times? appeared first on ThermoConcrete.

What You Can Do With Roller Compacted Concrete?

To those still unfamiliar with construction terms, there is an innovation being implemented—-known as roller compacted concrete; in  a way, it is a special blend of concrete as opposed to the traditional one. Essentially, this kind of concrete is a mixture of fly ash, water, sand and common additives. When all  these things are mixed up then you will get something that is drier in form and one that is essentially without any slump in it, which is great for use in any concrete works.

The use of the roller compacted concrete is somehow similar to that of paving; such that the material is delivered through the use of dump truck or that of conveyors. Vibratory rollers are also being set in place in order that the material becomes even more compacted. Thus, there are a lot of construction projects that will certainly benefit when proper use of the roller compacted concrete is utilized.

Thin RCC Pavements In Use

The question of how thin roller compacted concrete (RCC) pavement can be placed is being asked more frequently.  As residential and commercial applications are finding a fit with RCC, thinner pavement sections are being constructed.  Traditionally, RCC pavements have been installed at large industrial facilities (e.g. sea ports, tank hardstands, logging yards) requiring pavement sections as thick as 18 to 22 inches, constructed with multi-lift placement techniques.  However, RCC’s popularity is growing fastest in applications that require thinner sections.

The Portland Cement Association’s (PCA’s) RCC Pave software encourages a 4-inch minimum pavement thickness, for constructability reasons.  Many projects have employed 4 and 5 inch thin RCC pavement throughout the U.S., including:

• Plant Vogtle; Waynesboro, GA (2011); parking – 4 inches
• Volkswagen Auto Manufacturing Plant; Chattanooga, TN (2010); parking – 4 inches
• Jack Daniel’s Distillery; Lynchburg, TN (2011); parking – 5 inches
• Honda Auto Manufacturing Plant; Lincoln, AL (2000 & 2004); access roads – 5 inches
• A Retail Lumber Store; Ft. Payne, TN (1998); lumber storage yard – 5 inches
• Saturn Auto Manufacturing Plant; Spring Hill, TN (1989); parking – 5 inches

Why choose RCC?  Because RCC can be designed and placed for lower cost than an equivalent asphalt/flexible pavement on many projects–and provide a higher level of performance.  CCT can help road agencies and engineers determine if RCC is the right choice for a project.  Give us a call. Read more…

On the immediate uses of concrete, it is important for you to see that there are concrete tiles which you can install in your homes to make it more dashing than it was once. This will help enliven the interior aspect of your home, and in a way will make it look more livable than it should.

Granada Tile Fez Cement Tile In The Kitchen of Emma Magazine’s Editor

Many of our most popular concrete tile designs, like our Fez encaustic tile, our Cluny concrete tile and our Serengeti cement tile are in stock and ready to ship out to you immediately! Or you can have any of our cement tile designs custom colored for your tile project, like the Badajoz cement tile above, which has been custom colored in black and white. The qualities that make Granada Tile’s cement tiles the choice of award-winning coffee shops and hot restaurants around the country — along with their beautiful designs and vivid colors, our concrete tile is long lasting, easy care and low maintenance — are the same ones make it perfect for your home tile project, whether used as patio tile, porch tile, kitchen floor tile, kitchen backsplash tile, bathroom tile, shower tile or laundry room tile.  Start by visiting our cement tile shop to peruse our large selection of in-stock handmade master-crafted cement tiles and call us today at 213-788-4238 to discuss which of our encaustic tile designs would be perfect for your home or restaurant project.

We’re always curious to see what other tile designers are doing, especially when they are moving in a similar direction to what we’ve been exploring.  Lately, in a desire to explore more way to create cement tile designs, we been working to create embossed cement tiles which we will be introducing shortly.  So we were intrigued when we spotted the cement tile designs of British designer Lindsey Lang. Borrowing from the archives of the London Underground, she created these patterns in embossed cement.  It seems the old saying is true: great minds think alike! Read more info on this site: http://ift.tt/2ftxBho.

It is certainly an important point to understand that there are so many benefits that you can derive from concrete. And seeing that you can even beautify your interior with the use of such will definitely entice you to making the most of what it can offer. There are definitely a lot of great things that will come your way with all these concrete when properly chosen.

The post What You Can Do With Roller Compacted Concrete? appeared first on ThermoConcrete.

Common Facts You Need To Be Familiar with When It Comes To Concrete

If you want to be guided when it comes to the construction works that you are undertaking, it pays that you are familiar with some important words. Understanding the basic definitions about concrete and its uses will make you see a much bigger picture of it. You will therefore enable yourself  to utilize your understanding so that you will get an in depth overview of when it comes to construction works.

When you are well informed with all construction details, then it will be much easier for you to get an informed decision in any matters that will come your way in the course of the construction process. You will essentially get the upper hand in whatever it is that you are going to decide along the way.

Some Basic Definitions Used In Cement And Concrete

A few useful basic definitions follow, since the meanings of the words ‘cement’ and ‘concrete’ are rather blurred in general use.

Portland Cement: Material made by heating a mixture of limestone and clay in a kiln at about 1450 C, then grinding to a fine powder with a small addition of gypsum. Portland Cement, the main subject of this site, is the most common type of cement – ‘basic cement’, if you like. In particular, ordinary Portland cement is the normal, grey, cement with which most people are familiar. Other types of Portland cement include White Portland Cement and Sulfate Resisting Portland Cement (SRPC).

Clinker: Portland cement is made by grinding clinker and a little added gypsum. Clinker is a nodular material before it is ground up. The nodules can be anything from 1mm to 25mm or more in diameter.

Cement: Usually taken to mean Portland Cement, but could mean any other type of cement, depending on the context.

Aggregate: Cobbles, pebbles, gravel, sand and silt – the ‘rock’ component of all particle sizes in concrete.

Concrete: Synthetic rock made using cement (usually, but not necessarily, Portland cement) mixed with aggregate and water. Read more!

So how does the concrete being extracted so that it can be used in any construction works? That is really an interesting question that needs to be put to rest. Mining concrete is an important aspect that needs to be tackled to fully get a good look at its astonishing advantage.

Sand Extraction For Concrete

And creating all the concrete relies on mining sand and gravel, collectively known as aggregates. Aggregates are extracted from the earth at an astonishing rate – exceeding 40 billion tons. A year. In the US, for example, the market for mined sand has been growing at 10% annually since 2008, meaning it is a billion-dollar business annually.
Now, although the deserts are awash in sand, it is considered unusuable for making concrete. This happens because it is subject to so much wind erosion, causing the grains to become too round and blow away. (Which is why Dubai, located in the desert, ships in sand for its beaches from Australia.) Desert sand also fails to bind well. Instead, we source the bulk of our sand from land quarries and riverbeds, so much so, that we’re running out and have turned to the coasts. “River and marine aggregates remain the main sources for building and land reclamation,” notes a recent report by the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) on the dwindling sand situation. Details explained here: http://ift.tt/2fK8Uio.

These few facts will give you a deeper perspective to what concrete is really all about, it will encourage you to get a whole picture of how it is mined and, in the process, being utilized. There are so many great things that you will learn from the use of concrete which you can apply during the construction works in your property.

The post Common Facts You Need To Be Familiar with When It Comes To Concrete appeared first on ThermoConcrete.

What Is Concrete Recommended For?

There are definitely a lot of uses that concrete has for anyone in today’s world. In fact, concrete plays a major role in development in such a way that it is a material that is second most consumed in the world. You will see that it is heavily used in major economies to propel them to development. That is why, there are a lot of infrastructure projects such as schools, dams, roads and what not that are being constructed, thanks entirely to concrete.

At the context of your very own home, you can make use of concrete in repairing any cracks or breaks that you see in your property. Any broken pieces will surely be repaired in no time when utilization of concrete is further maximized.

Cement Cove

If you have any broken pieces of concrete, or you need to repair some major mortar joints, this is the stuff you need. And you don’t need to mix this with water. It comes pre-mixed. Keep that in mind as other repair compounds may require that you actually still mix them with water.

The only time I wouldn’t recommend this, is if you need to use it where you might be driving your vehicle. It’s not recommend for that. Small cracks in your driveway yes, but for major driveway repairs, you’ll need something else.

Which Product is Recommended?

The particle mix I recommend is the Dap 32611 Phenopatch Pre-Mixed Patch.

This particular compound is very high strength and used primarily on cracks or breaks in your concrete.

You can purchase it in several different packs, however each jug carries 1 qt of compound.

The convenience is great.

Instead of having to mix your own cement with a mixer, these pre-mixed products are super convenient.

They should not completely replace the need for standard concrete, however for patching and small repairs, they’re definitely helpful. Read more facts here…

It would be essential that you find experts that will help you in the testing and evaluation processes of the concrete that you have with you, so that you will be able to get the high quality ones. You will see that the best concrete are those that will make you enjoy its functionality for a long period of time. Thus, carefully selecting which is the best, as aided by an expert, will put you at an advantageous position.

Concrete Expert Witness: Concrete Repair and Testing Evaluations

Building Forensics International utilizes consultants from various fields of expertise. The video is from one the consultants we refer when waterproofing issues arise involving concrete/cement issues.  American Restore and it’s founder Jim Andrews has vast experience when it comes to tipping floors and all types of concrete warehouse slabs of any kind.

Waterproofing and repairs of concrete slabs requires expertise and experience to get the job done correctly.  This videos shares information on many aspects of concrete repair and testing of concrete slabs.

BFI hopes you take the time to watch this informative video.  If you are in need of a concrete expert for litigation, investigation or concrete expert witness assignments please consider calling Building Forensics International.  More to read here: http://www.buildingforensicsintl.com/single-post/2016/06/13/Concrete-Expert-Witness-Concrete-Repair-and-Testing-Evaluations.

All these details will guide you in the way that you choose the kind of concrete you must make use of in your property or any construction works for that matter. Having an understanding about all these details will lead you to the right path in choosing what kind of concrete suitable for any construction projects you have at the end of the day.

Image Credits: https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSlE8hwY3X16nzwKsvCbruJftDtHWdjLLU8aDGU63AN6GF6w2p0-Q.

The post What Is Concrete Recommended For? appeared first on ThermoConcrete.

Equipments That Aid In the Use Of Concrete

Concrete is a product that is seemingly used everywhere. It is a product that is heavily consumed by different advance and advancing economies as it aids in development and progress. With the use of concrete, there are so many infrastructure projects that you can come up with. With that in mind, you will therefore see a greater picture on how you can put to use concrete so that it will give you so much advantage.

Apart from the use of concrete, you see the fact that different equipment must be utilized in order that the concrete will be put to good use. Thus, choosing the right kind of equipment will certainly bring so many advantages in the event of your ongoing construction.

Get The Facts On Cyclonaire’s Cement & Concrete Solutions

To provide you with a better understanding of how our solutions can fit your application, Cyclonaire has created a Product Guide for Cement & Concrete Applications.

The guide provides an overview of our top quality cement industry solutions, including:

• Blower Packages: Cyclonaire’s custom-built intermediate pressure blower packages power both vacuum loading and pressure conveying applications.

• Bag Dump Stations: Our bag dump stations feature self-contained fan and self-cleaning pulse jet-style filtration dust traps for recycling.

• C&C Dust Reclaim System: The automated C&C Dust Reclaim System preserves air quality and conserves valuable material by capturing dust from silo-filling operations and automatically returning it directly to the source silo.

From railcar and silo conveying to cement blending — to convey systems and portable conveying systems — Cyclonaire has a solution for your cement and concrete application.  Read more here…

At home, you can benefit so much from the innovation that has been infused in the concrete of today. Such that there are DIY projects that you can come up with, so that you can fully maximize the concrete and put it to good use in beautifying your interiors per se. Concrete now is being utilize in broad spectrum, and has brought benefits to many homeowners.

Concrete Countertop DIY

When you come to a right angle (like where the backsplash meets the counter) it helps to use a wide putty knife and pull the wet cement up from the countertop on the backsplash part and towards yourself away from the wall on the countertop. Pulling the cement in the opposite directions helps give the corner a cleaner look.

The hardest part of this whole job was the rounded angle on the top of the backsplash. I had to use the small putty knife to put small amounts of wet concrete on the rounded edge, smooth it out the best I could, but honestly, I shaped most of that area during sanding. If you’re ever in doubt, put too much concrete on-you can always sand off excess later, but you can’t add more without mixing another batch. Read more here: http://ift.tt/1nx6Qc6.

These things will essentially guide you to fully make sure that as you use concrete, it will not only improve the aesthetics of your house, but more so of its functionality. The concrete that you are seeing are being further researched and innovated so that more and more homeowners will get to enjoy the many kinds of benefits that it has for everyone.

Image Credits: http://ift.tt/2ejpqne.

The post Equipments That Aid In the Use Of Concrete appeared first on ThermoConcrete.

Concrete Making And How It Works

Concrete is a word that was derived from “concretus”, the Latin for which is compact. This is basically a mixture of a lot of materials namely cement, coarse aggregate, chemical admixtures, water, sand, and gravel, otherwise known as crushed stone. If you mix this material with water, it will create a fluid which can be molded into pretty much any shape you like. It will then solidify into stone soon after. Hydration is what this process is called. When mixed with water the other constituents of the cement then bond together. This material is used for architectural structures such as fences, bricks, parking structures, overpasses, bridges, runways, roads, highways, foundations, walls, poles, pillars, roofs, and many more. Below is a layman’s explanation of how concrete making works and how it has benefited the world as we know it:

There is actually a pretty accurate measurement for the strength of concrete. This is determined by the amount of force that can be applied to the concrete before it gives or breaks. The force is needed is considerably strong and it is the reason why people have been making use of this essential material for a long time. This is how some manufacturers are able to create concrete that is much stronger than those of other companies.

Here are the ways the different kinds of concrete are made:

– Re-enforced concrete is developed through casting the concrete on steel bars and rods making them even stronger than before. Basically, this material is being used in the construction of huge buildings in your city.
– Pre-stressed concrete is pretty much the same as one discussed above only this time its cast around cables held together by hydraulic jacks. As it hardens, the jacks are then removed and resulting in concrete getting compressed by cables.

– Air-entrained concrete is basically made by using the fatty or resinous material and adding it to the concrete as part of the mixture. This basically creates bubbles that act like absorbers of shock.
– Cold-resistant concrete is made by following the necessary rules needed to accomplish the objective from beginning to end. The ratio should just be enough and you should always do your research as well. You cannot mess up the ratio because this would ruin your objective in so many ways. Once you follow the right amount that is prescribed then you would be able to see how effective the results are. This is something that can be used in the cold and low temperature would not damage it in any way. The cold would not affect the surface or make it dangerous by freezing it. It would be immune to these sorts of effects. This kind of concrete is sealed tight and water would not be able to penetrate into it in any way at all.

There are also ways of concrete installation which you would be able to implement in order to make your project a success in terms of quality.

The post Concrete Making And How It Works appeared first on ThermoConcrete.

Top Concrete Contractors In Sacramento CA (916) 312-4166

Call (916) 312-4166 for first class concrete solutions – full range of concrete products, including stamped concrete

If you’re looking to renovate your home’s patio, or your business’ walkways, or even add outdoor walkways and features to a project currently being built, you’ll notice there is a variety of materials available. Stone, concrete, and brick all provide a different look. Concrete offers a lot of advantages over stone or brick, including ease of cleaning and durability. You may have a certain look in mind, and the best part about concrete is that it can give you a similar look to more expensive materials at a fraction of the cost and time. Laying down interlocking pieces to create a surface or fixture is both time consuming and costly in terms of both materials and labor, and using concrete can help cut costs down on both fronts.

Highest Quality Services (916) 312-4166

Stamped Concrete

Stamped concrete is designed to match the look of stone or brick, and patterns can be pressed into complex fixtures as well as large flat surfaces, making it perfect for replicating those beautiful stone or brick paths, fountains, and almost any other outdoor fixture much more cheaply in many cases. Our customers sometimes express concern with the color of the concrete, but that can be easily changed using acid staining techniques to match various color patterns and designs.

Repair and Maintenance

We also service existing concrete, including repairing cracks and chips or removing and re-pouring areas with extensive damage. It can be very hard to match the color and level of existing concrete during repairs, but we’ll do our best to make the seams blend as well as possible! This service doesn’t apply only to the concrete we pour, of course, and you’re always welcome to call and get a repair estimate. If we need more information to get you a quote, we’ll come out and take a look to give you the most accurate price we can at no charge!

Quality is important when choosing a contractor, as stamping concrete seems easy, but small mistakes can leave you with very noticeable faults in your walkway or patio. The same is true for staining, contractors without enough skill can leave you with a disappointing look. We’ve been at this for years, and offer only the highest quality in terms of pouring, stamping and staining. At AAA Concreting, we aim to be the best concrete contractor in Sacramento, and offer both standard concrete pouring and stamped concrete services.

Call (916) 312-4166 Today!

If you’re not sure which of the many options available is best for you, you’re not alone! We know it can be hard to choose what materials to use and who should install it for you, so we welcome you to give us a call and discuss the options available with us. We’re priced competitively and operate on a no pressure sales model, meaning we’ll help guide you to what it is you’re looking for without trying to convince you to spend more money on something you didn’t have in mind. There’s no commitment or charge that come with the call, so you can be comfortable knowing that if you change your mind or choose a different option, we won’t hassle you!

Services we provide:

• Concrete driveways
• Concrete patios
• Concrete paths
• Concrete flooring
• Concrete foundations
• Decorative concrete
• Stamped concrete
• Stained concrete
• Concrete resurfacing
• Concrete repair

AAA Concreting
1779 Tribute Rd Ste N
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 312-4166

The post Top Concrete Contractors In Sacramento CA (916) 312-4166 appeared first on ThermoConcrete.

What Concrete Curing Blanket Is All About?

For every construction projects that are making use of concrete, it will certainly take time to let the concrete settle and thaw on the ground quickly. Yet, one very important aspect when it comes to the use of concrete is that, it should be settled first to enhance its quality, and make it sturdier than ever before. You cannot let any external factor to impede on the way the concrete is settling or being dried up, as it will certainly compromise the quality of your poured concrete.

It is for this reason that there are concrete blankets which most construction works can depend upon. With its use, you are certain that the concrete  will thaw quickly on the ground, thus ensuring you of a much sturdier quality. You are for certain that what you have with you is extremely helpful in the construction works that you are embarking on.

Concrete Curing Blankets and Ground Thawing Blankets for Quick Results

There aren’t many options to choose, but that’s really not a bad thing. From my experience, the products from Powerblanket are very good quality. Whichever model you choose will be based on the size you want. For those looking for a larger sized blanket, such as 4 feet by 5 feet, consider thePowerBlanket MD0304.

For those who don’t need one this size, consider the PowerBlanket EH0202, which is 2 feet by 2 feet. This manufacturer actually offers sizes to meet everyone’s needs. If you need a 3 foot by 20 foot blanket, they have one.

These are some of the major specs on these particular products:

• Very easy to use

• Removes frost from frozen ground quickly

• Cures concrete faster than other methods

• Heats to a preset amount

• Used to melt snow and ice from all areas. Read more from the main source:

Fact is that concrete is actually one substance that is second most consumed in the planet, that is only after water. There are so many uses of such in today’s fast developing world, it is being utilized in school, sidewalks, dams and whatnot. Thus, it is important to see how the concrete and that of the cement industry is affecting the world in general.

Emissions from the Cement Industry

Indirect emissions from burning fossil fuels to heat the kiln can be reduced by switching to alternative fuels, including natural gas, biomass and waste-derived fuels such as tires, sewage sludge and municipal solid wastes. These less carbon-intensive fuels could reduce overall cement emissions by 18-24% from 2006 levels by 2050.

Alternatively, efficiency measures can reduce the demand for fuel by addressing the production process itself (such as switching from inefficient wet kilns to dry ones) or through technical and mechanical improvements (such as preventative maintenance to repair kiln leaks). While some estimate that energy efficiency improvements could achieve emission reductions of up to 40%, some industry analyses suggest that producers may have already exhausted this potential. Without additional financial incentives (such as subsidies or a tax on carbon), further breakthroughs could be difficult.

Reducing emissions from the calcination process means looking to a material other than limestone. Blended cement replaces some of the limestone-based clinker with other materials, primarily coal fly ash and blast furnace slag. Blended cement could reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 20%, but widespread use of blended cement is limited by other environmental regulations (these substitutes can contain toxic heavy metals); the limited availability of substitute material; and some building code restrictions (blended cement can take longer to set). See this site for more details: http://ift.tt/1oYSOQ5.

With all these being said, it can be concluded that now more than ever before, concrete will play a big role in how the world would be like. It is essential to really get an in depth understanding of the major role that it is playing and what it can bring to the table. There are certainly a lot of benefits that you will experience from the use of concrete.

Image Credits: http://ift.tt/2eScXcA.

The post What Concrete Curing Blanket Is All About? appeared first on ThermoConcrete.

The Quality of Concrete Homeowners Should Choose

The Quality Of Concrete Homeowners Should Choose

A sturdy and strong house depends on the concrete that is used by its concreting contractors. It is essential for any homeowners out there to be able to use the best and high quality kind of concrete to ensure that the foundation of the house will remain strong as ever. With a strong foundation, it means that the house is a good place to stay at; such that you get the necessary peace of mind. It will also mean that the concreting materials used are going to withstand any catastrophic forces of nature.

Choosing the innovative kind of concrete in the construction phase will ensure that you get to enjoy so many advantages. In fact, it will offer to homeowners a certain level of excitement in knowing that the concrete being used has a fantastic longevity that is expected of it.

Custom Concrete Contracting Blog: Myths and Facts About Pervious Concrete

Myth: It won’t stand up to heavy or commercial use.

Fact: A pervious driveway is just as durable as any other concrete driveway. The key here, for both pervious and regular concrete, is that the pour is thick enough to handle the expected traffic. Custom Concrete will pour 5- to 6-inches thick on some projects instead of the standard 4 inches if the load will be heavier. Most parking lots, for example, will be at least 6 inches thick. At Meridian High School in Bellingham, WA, Custom Concrete installed pervious 8 inches thick because fire trucks and buses would be using the lot to turn around. On commercial projects, engineers design the surface thickness to handle the traffic that’ll be using it.

Myth: Snowy conditions clog pervious concrete.

Fact: Actually, the opposite is true. Because of its porous nature, pervious concrete increases airflow and helps melt snow more quickly. It’s totally fine to use shovels and snow plows on pervious, too. Just make sure the scoop has a rubber edge, so you’re not using metal to scrape the concrete surface.

Myth: It’s a fad, and it soon will go away.

Fact: Cities and counties nationwide say pervious is the way of the future. Municipalities all over Washington state are investing in it and planning for it. In fact, most of the pervious installs done by Custom Concrete are for governmental agencies. Read more from the main source.

Thus, as a homeowner, in any concreting works that you will embark upon, you must put the home foundations as the most important thing to always delve closely into. One thing that you can do is that you can always keep away water, such that you need to drain it properly. Doing so will achieve the chance for you to finally waterproof your house. This process will strengthen and make your house worthy of any settlement and whatnot.

French Drain Installer Carrollton TX

1. Code requirements:The International Residential Code (IRC), in Section R405.1, requires drains “around all concrete or masonry foundations that retain earth and enclose habitable or usable spaces below grade.” The IRC goes on to provide details about what kind of drains are sufficient. However, very well-drained soils are an exception and mixtures such as sand and gravel do not require drainage.

2. Moisture: There are two zones of subsurface moisture: the aeration zone (where both water and air exist) and the saturation zone. Generally, the saturation zone is everything below the water table, which is the level at which water rises to in a well. The saturation zone is seldom an issue in residential construction—soil moisture is the concern.

3. Loss of soil moisture: Soil moisture beneath a foundation is lost in a triangular configuration, so the deepest dry area is just outside the edge of the foundation and the ground beneath the middle of the slab remains saturated. Differential drying or differential amounts of moisture in the soil can create problems, especially in expansive soils, which in many parts of Carrollton are more the rule than the exception. In some areas, homeowners actually have to water their foundations to maintain soil moisture.

4. Surface drainage: Controlling surface water is critical to controlling soil moisture beneath the foundation. The ground surface should slope away from the house at between ½ and 1 inch per foot for at least 6 feet—10 feet is better. Be careful of poorly compacted backfill, though, because that will soon mean that the surface will slope back toward the house. Visit this site for more info: http://ift.tt/2dibsGE.

Proper research on your available choices when it comes to the concreting works that need to be done is an important first step when you want to begin building your home or whatever edifice you think is best. It is the responsibility of any homeowner to always have that informed choice in everything, especially when it comes to concreting works. Doing all these things will mitigate any possible damages that may be caused to your newly constructed house as a result of a catastrophe.

Image Credits: http://ift.tt/2dVUMml.

The post The Quality of Concrete Homeowners Should Choose appeared first on ThermoConcrete.

Concrete Mixing Ratios

When making concrete it’s important to use the correct concrete mixing ratios to produce a strong, durable concrete mix.

To make concrete there are four basic materials you need: portland cement, sand, aggregate (stone), and water. The ratio of aggregate to sand to cement is an important factor in determining the compressive strength of the concrete mixture.

A concrete mixture ratio of 1 part cement, 3 parts sand, and 3 parts aggregate will produce a concrete mix of approximately 3000 psi.

Mixing water with the cement, sand, and stone will form a paste that will bind the materials together until the mix hardens. The strength properties of the concrete are inversely proportional to the water/cement ratio.

Basically this means the more water you use to mix the concrete (very fluid) the weaker the concrete mix. The less water you use to mix the concrete (somewhat dry but workable) the stronger the concrete mix.

Accurate concrete mixing ratios can be achieved by measuring the dry materials using buckets or some other kind of measuring device. By measuring the mixing ratios you will have a consistent concrete mix throughout your entire project.

Mixing ratio to make 1 yard of concrete

To produce a 3000 psi cubic yard of concrete (27 cubic feet) the concrete mixture ratio is:

1. 517 pounds of cement

2. 1560 pounds of sand

3. 1600 pounds of stone

4. 32 – 34 gallons of water

This mixing ratio will give you a concrete mix that is strong, durable, and good for most concrete projects. A cubic yard of concrete will fill an area 8 feet wide by 10 feet long by 4 inches thick, or 80 square feet @ 4 inches thick.

At 6 inches thick a cubic yard of concrete will fill an area 52 square feet and at 5 inches thick, it will fill an area that’s 65 square feet.

To produce a cubic yard of 4000 psi concrete, you have to adjust the concrete mixing ratio to:

1. 611 pounds of cement

2. 1450 pounds of sand

3. 1600 pounds of stone

4. 33- 35 gallons of water

As you can see a little more cement and a little less sand is required to produce this stronger concrete mix that is great for driveways, pooldecks, sidewalks, exterior patios, and commercial garages.

Knowing the weight of the materials and how much water to use should help you determine how much cement, sand, and stone to purchase to complete your project.

For estimating purposes, you can make about 1 cubic yard of concrete with 5 1/2 94-pound bags of cement, 17 cubic feet of sand, and 18 cubic feet of gravel. (It takes about forty 80-pound bags of prepackaged materials to make 1 cubic yard of concrete.)

You can read the full article by visiting the original source at http://ift.tt/2elJcPs.

The post Concrete Mixing Ratios appeared first on ThermoConcrete.

The Importance of Concrete Repair Training

Without proper training, even the best quality decorative concrete products will be put to waste. At ThermoConcrete, we provide expert training in a wide array of concrete specialty products and techniques. With our hands-one training seminars, you will learn how to create the best looking concrete products and applications.

For more information, visit this page.