Construction & Contractors Blog
Concrete is by far the most common flooring material used in the outdoors and industrial establishments. The process of pouring concrete may seem quite straightforward, but most contractors end up with issues such as pitting and surface bubbles and blisters because of mistakes in the mixing process. Here are the three tips that you can follow to make sure that concrete is mixed and poured correctly so as to avoid blistering and bubbles.
Interaction with water and ice
If you are pouring out your concrete in the colder months, you will realise that the water on the surface of the mixture tends to cool down and form ice bubbles. When the temperatures are warmer, the ice melts, but air pockets are left behind, ruining the appearance of the poured concrete. If you must pour the concrete during the colder months, make sure that you cover the construction with blankets. If possible, have your concrete poured in the summer to reduce the risk of temperatures interfering with the process.
Problems from the aggregate size
Sometimes, air bubbles form in the poured concrete because the aggregate size used in the mix was wrong. When you use aggregate with large particles, it creates a higher possibility of air getting trapped into the concrete mixture. Look for fine sands as part of your aggregate and ensure that the mixing method you use does not create a chance for air bubbles to get whipped into the mixture. You can also use vibration techniques to eliminate excess air from the aggregate before it is poured out into the slabs.
The absence of reduction agents
Reduction agents are added to the aggregate to reduce the chances of bubbles forming during the mixing process. Lime, calcium chloride and plasticizes are the most commonly used reduction agents to reduce air bubbles in the cement mixture. Look for any recommended local brand of reducing agent to add to the concrete and reduce the possibility of bubbles forming.
It is also important to understand that in the concrete mixing process, the cement itself acts as a lubricant to help bind together the particles and the aggregates. Therefore, if you mix your concrete using a richer formula and add a little more cement than is needed, you will be lowering the possibility of bubbles getting trapped in the mixture. Finally, the mixing speed should also be slow to reduce the chances of huge volumes of air getting whipped into the mix.
For more information, call a company that specializes in concrete services.
Share25 October 2018
Hello, my name is Colin and this is my construction blog. When people think of the construction industry, they often just imagine guys in hard hats building brick walls. While this is a popular image of the industry, it doesn't reflect the true diversity of different contractors and tradesmen who are involved in a construction project. Lasy year, my wife and I decided to construct our dream home. I had to arrange visits of plumbers, roofers, electricians, surveyors and home builders in order to get the job done. I learnt a lot during that experience, so I decided to start this blog.