 How
can I contact Bardon Concrete?
Click here for details on how
to contact us by telephone, post, fax or email.
What
areas does Bardon Concrete deliver to?
Click here to visit our plant locator
to find out whether we can supply ready mixed concrete in your area.
What
mix do I need?
The type of concrete mix depends on the application you need it for.
Different mix specifications are used for different purposes.
Higher-grade or higher-strength mixes are used for flooring and external
paving whereas lower grade mixes are used for foundations.
Please note that adding water to a mix will:
reduce the compressive strength of the concrete
increase the potential for shrinkage and cracking
increase the possibility of segregation
increase the potential for future problems with the surface finish
Therefore, if you think that the mix is too stiff, ask before adding
water.
If you feel that you require a mix which is easier to handle, or helps
you produce a good all-round finish or cuts down on the labour required
to lay the concrete, please let us know and we can suggest the correct
mix from our existing mix selection or may even be able to design one
for you.
If you are still unsure of your requirements, please contact
us and we will be happy to advise you.
How
do I calculate how much concrete I need?
Concrete quantities are measured in cubic metres. To work out how much
concrete you will need, use our concrete
calculator.
How
much does a cubic metre of concrete weigh?
One cubic metre of concrete weighs around 2.4 tonnes.
How
much notice do I need to give when ordering concrete?
Ideally a minimum of 24 hours notice is required for concrete orders,
but the more notice you give, the greater the likelihood that we can agree
the time of delivery with you. All orders will be confirmed with you by
telephone as early as possible.
How
can I pay for the material?
Payment can be made by cheque or cash on the day of delivery, by Visa,
Mastercard or Switch at the time of ordering, or for trade customers through
a credit account, subject to status. Credit and / or bank references may
be required.
Will
the truckmixer be able to get to the job?
It is important that the truckmixer has safe and reasonable access to
the job, as we cannot be held responsible for damage caused to footpaths,
driveways, kerbs, lawns, drains, manholes, etc. Be aware that truckmixers
when loaded could weigh in excess of 15 tonnes. Please remember that it
is the responsibility of the customer to provide safe and reasonable access,
and if the driver is not certain that this is the case when he arrives
on the site, he may ask you to sign an indemnity form.
If the truck can be positioned at right angles to the job, the reach
of the chute is up to 2.5 metres. If the truck can only draw up alongside
the job, the maximum distance will be around 1.5 metres.
If you think this is insufficient for your project, we can use a concrete
pump to place the concrete up to a distance of around 45m away from the
truckmixer. An extra charge for this service will apply.
Click here for the dimensions
of each truckmixer offered by Bardon Concrete.
What
preparation do I need to do?
Before commencing any excavation an assessment of the site is always
useful, including location of any services such as
buried
electricity cables or gas mains
drainage
systems
overhead
cables for electricity or telephone
overhanging
tree branches
tree
roots
All organic matter should be removed before setting out the site.
Using a combination of pegs, string and spray line-marking paint, mark
out the extent of the foundations.
If you are laying a concrete base, floors or drives, dig out the area
to twice the required depth of concrete (a minimum of 100mm of concrete
is advised, so the area should be dug out to 200mm deep). You should also
compact the soil. It is important to ensure that the foundation is level.
Then place a sub-base layer of hardcore approximately 100mm deep and
compact it to give the concrete a solid base and prevent sinking. Sprinkling
a thin layer of sand on top of the hardcore will provide a smooth surface
to work with.
Laying a sheet of polythene damp proof membrane between the sub-base
and concrete will help to stop the concrete from drying out too fast,
and will also help to prevent rising damp on the finished project.
What
tools do I need?
It is likely that, if you are a gardener or diy-er, you will already
have the tools required for the job, but it’s worth double-checking
before the delivery arrives to make sure you have everything you need.
tape
measure - to measure your site and calculate how much concrete is required
string
and pegs - for marking out the area you need to fill with concrete
timber
- to make pegs and formwork, and to use as a tamping beam
wheelbarrow
- handy for moving the concrete around the site
shovel
- to help move the concrete
rake
- to help move the concrete
spirit
level - to ensure the job is level and maintain accuracy
float
or trowel - for surface finishing
brush
- to help you clean up after the job
What
protective clothing is required?
It is important to be aware that concrete is both abrasive and alkaline,
it can cause skin irritation and burns and therefore you will need protective
clothing.
When placing concrete, full length shirts and trousers should be worn,
along with rubber boots and gloves. Eye protection should be worn in case
of splashes.
Click here for health & safety
information.
What
should I expect when the concrete is delivered?
The first thing the driver will do when he arrives on the site will
be to assess the required delivery location, and establish the most suitable
means of discharging the concrete into place.
If the driver cannot get the truckmixer close enough, and you have discussed
this likelihood with us at the time of ordering, off-loading directly
into wheelbarrows will be possible.
How
long will the truckmixer wait on site before a waiting charge is made?
If the truckmixer is required on site for more than 30 minutes, a small
additional charge may be applied.
What’s
the best way to handle and move the concrete?
You should minimise the manual handling of concrete by ensuring that
the truckmixer is as close as possible to its final location. The less
you move it, the better.
Start pouring the concrete in a corner and work away from it.
Ensure that you use the correct tools, such as a square-nosed shovel
or concrete rake. Using the wrong tools can cause segregation.
How
long do I get before the concrete sets?
Once the concrete arrives on site, you will normally only have between
1 and 2 hours to place, level and compact the concrete and to finish the
surface.
Why
is compaction so important?
Compaction ensures the optimum density of the mix is achieved, increasing
compressive strength. Where reinforcing is used, the bond between concrete
and redistribution bar is improved. Permeability of the concrete decreases,
decreasing cold joints, honeycombing entrapped air and segregation.
Do
I need to introduce controlled contraction joints?
Movement of the concrete slab caused by changes in temperature and drying
shrinkage can be minimised by the introduction of controlled contraction
joints. Contraction joints create weakened sections in the slab to help
control crack locations. Joints are neater in appearance and can be sealed
and require less maintenance than uncontrolled cracks.
Jointing should be planned with large floor slabs divided into smaller
rectangular sections. Avoid sharp angles and be aware of changes in thickness
of the slab. Concrete which is 100mm thick should be jointed every 3 to
4 metres. Joints should be cut to a minimum of a quarter of the slab thickness.
What
curing techniques could I use?
Curing concrete enables it to reach its designed compressive strength,
making the material more durable. To cure correctly, concrete requires
sufficient moisture content, a favourable temperature between 10 to 20
degrees centigrade, and time to reach its specified strength (a minimum
of 7 days to reach 70%).
Methods of curing:
sprinkling or fog spraying, keeping the surface continuously damp (alternate
wetting and drying can cause cracking)
covering the concrete with wet hessian, straw, sawdust or sand (avoid
materials that may cause discolour in the concrete)
covering the concrete with plastic sheeting (white in hot weather, black
in cold weather)
use curing compounds (avoid using if the surface is to be painted or
ant other surface cover)
How
can weather conditions affect the concrete?
If the weather is particularly hot or windy, slump loss will increase
making the concrete difficult to handle. In addition, the concrete set
will accelerate, decreasing the handling time. If water is added to the
mix to offset slump reduction, a reduction in strength may occur and shrinking
and cracking may occur. To counteract this, we may be able to add a water
replacement or retarding agent, so contact us if you are concerned about
your delivery. You can also shade the concrete from direct sunlight and
protect it with wind breakers. Finally, you could apply curing techniques
immediately after finishing.
If the weather is particularly cold, this will increase the setting
time of the concrete and retards the concrete stiffening. In addition
it will slow down the concrete strength gain. Freeze-that can damage the
concrete. By increasing cement contents, using a different cement or adding
an accelerating admixture, we may be able to help prevent some of these
symptoms. If possible, keep the concrete at a temperature above 10 degrees
centigrade by insulating or heating, and protect the concrete with windbreakers.
Finally, as a final note of advice, try to avoid laying concrete in temperatures
below 5 degrees centigrade.
I
have a question which is not answered on this web site - what do I need
to do?
Click here for details on how
to contact us.
Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all textual and pictorial
content on this web site. No charge is levied for the advice contained
within this web site and accordingly the company, its employees and authorised
agents can accept no liability whatsoever, either directly or indirectly
arising from the use of its products in connection with any information
or advice contained in this web site |
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