Concrete Cutting Core Drilling Old Orchard Beach ME Maine

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“We Specialize in Cutting Doorways and Windows in Concrete Foundations”

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Questions and Answers

1. Why should bank-run gravel he screened and the fine and coarse materials be re-proportioned before using in a concrete mixture?

Most bank-run gravel contains a great deal more sand than is desirable in a concrete mixture. Sometimes this sand is twice as great in quantity as what would be best. If 75 per cent of bank-run gravel were fine material, the proper proportion of cement would vary widely from that required in case only 30 per cent of a bank-run gravel were fine material. Only by separating the fine material (sand) from the coarse material (pebbles) can definitely specified concrete mixtures be secured.

2. How does a 1:6 concrete mixture differ from a 1:2:4?

Part of the answer to this question is suggested in the preceding answer. A 1:6 concrete mixture is 1 CU. ft. of Portland cement to 6 Cu. ft. of fine and coarse aggregates, mixed. The resulting volume would be approximately 6 Cu. ft., while a 1:2:4 mix would produce a volume of about 4 Cu. ft. In one case there are 6 CU. ft. of concrete containing 1 sack of cement as against a little over 4 cu. ft. containing the amount of cement. Evidently the latter concrete mixture will have greater strength.

3. How wet should concrete be mixed for average work to secure the greatest strength?

For most construction, concrete should be of a quaky consistency, which means that when placed in a pile it will gradually spread out or flatten of its own weight. If more water than is required to produce a quaky consistency is used, the cement-sand mortar and pebbles will most likely separate, resulting in porous pockets in the construction.

4. When should sand and gravel be washed before using in a concrete mixture and why?

If the sand or pebbles are coated with clay for instance, the cement cannot adhere to the surface of these particles. Therefore the cement cannot perform its binding function.

5. How may sand and gravel be easily and quickly washed?

A washing and screening apparatus may be readily constructed for a small outlay, by making a trough having a 3/ in. mesh screen at one end, then raising and propping up the other end in which the materials are placed, attaching a pipe or hose at this end so that water may be supplied to tumble the material about, down the trough and over the screen at the lower end.

6. What is the largest size aggregate permissible in a concrete mixture?

There is a general rule in concrete construction, which specifies that no aggregate (pebbles - or broken stone) shall exceed in size one-half the concrete wall thickness in which it is used. As a rule, however, 1 V2 in. is fixed as the maximum for most work, while in thin concrete walls, where reinforcing must be surrounded perfectly, it is often advisable to use a smaller maximum. Again, in the case of fence posts, there is a limit of size usually fixed at 3/4 in. owing to the fact that the space to be filled with concrete is small. For much foundation work it is often permissible to exceed 1'/l in. maximum but generally speaking the maximum should not be more than 2 in.

7. What method should be used to finish a concrete floor to prevent the surface from being slippery?

Concrete floors such as feeding concrete floors and barnyard pavements should be finished with a wood float instead of a steel trowel. The former will produce an even but sufficiently gritty surface to make a non-slippery concrete floor.         -

8. How long a time should elapse after a concrete floor has been constructed before it should be put into use?

The time which concrete floors must be allowed to harden before putting them into use depends largely upon prevailing weather conditions and whether proper protection has been given the concrete floor to enable the concrete to acquire strength under favorable conditions. Generally speaking, the time may vary from 10 days to 3 weeks.

Are You in Old Orchard Beach Maine? Do You Need Concrete Cutting?

We Are Your Local Concrete Cutter

Call 207-284-0788

We Service Old Orchard Beach, ME and all surrounding Cities & Towns