Can a Concrete Mishap be Corrected?

Most concrete suppliers deliver high-quality concrete installations, but accidents on the job and external conditions can lead to mishaps in the final product. Thankfully, there are numerous solutions available to remedy mistakes in concrete structures. For over 27 years, Best Concrete Mix Corp. has provided concrete products and services for various large projects throughout Flushing, New York. Here, we discuss what can cause mistakes with pouring concrete and how to fix them.

What Causes Concrete Mishaps?

Concrete surfaces are very durable, but they must be installed properly to retain their structural integrity over time. Utilizing proper mixing materials and installation techniques ensures your concrete structure withstands environmental conditions and lasts for decades. Being aware of improper concrete pouring practices and causes of deterioration helps you avoid mistakes in the first place.

Unsuitable Materials

Forming the right mix of materials is crucial for preventing early concrete failure. Mixtures with too much concrete, too much water, or too much aggregate material will not cure correctly, leading to a weaker structure. You also must ensure the aggregates in the cement types you choose mix well to prevent surface decline down the line.

Specific mixture elements can result in unique problems. For example, concrete made with steel rebar or wire mesh rusts if it comes into contact with moisture and oxygen, diminishing structural integrity. You can also cause chemical damage to your pavement if you use salt for traction in the winter instead of safer alternatives like sand.

Improper Curing

If the concrete does not cure at the appropriate time, it may weaken. Curing duration is determined by the mixture and the climate on the day of installation. For example, pouring concrete during intense heat often makes the water in the mixture evaporate quicker, resulting in dry and plastic shrinkage cracks.

Inadequate Reinforcement

Small and large concrete structures require reinforcement to ensure durability. Incorrectly placed reinforcement may cause the concrete surface to collapse under the weight of heavy vehicles or equipment. Therefore, reinforcement must be placed in load-bearing sections of the concrete to prevent the need for concrete restoration or repair in the future.

An Unstable Foundation

Concrete surfaces must be poured over compacted soil for a solid foundation. In some cases, gravel or other aggregate material must be placed above the soil for additional reinforcement before pouring concrete. Without a strong base, ground movement can occur and allow unwanted space to expand beneath the concrete surface, leading to buckling and cracking.

How Can You Fix Concrete Mistakes?

While mishaps occur with some concrete jobs, they are not beyond correcting. There are cosmetic solutions for smaller mistakes and thorough repair processes for larger mishaps. Regardless of the issue, you must fix the concrete structure to continue using it safely.

Smaller Mishaps

Sometimes your concrete suffers from minor mistakes, such as stains or simple wear and tear. Using a power washer quickly removes stains from dirt, oil, and tires while resurfacing repairs crumbling edges and small cracks. If your concrete looks worn or old, enhance it with staining or sealing for a fresher appearance.

Larger Mistakes

When it comes to serious issues in the concrete surface, you may need to consult a structural engineer or geologist to see if there is a problem with the underlying foundation or surrounding area. From there, you may need an installer to spread a thin layer of concrete mix over the surface with a trowel to make it even. Concrete repair kits are available for DIY fixers, as well, and come with instructions for placing the included epoxy.

Find High-Quality Concrete at Best Concrete Mix Corp.

Whatever mishap you may experience with your concrete job, there are various ways to correct these mistakes. However, it’s better to avoid mistakes when pouring concrete in the first place. When you need high-quality ready-mix concrete for your project, turn to Best Concrete Mix Corp. for help. With two manufacturing plants in Flushing, NY, we provide more concrete products than our competitors in the same amount of time. For more information on the numerous types of concrete we offer, contact us today.

Concrete Utilization For Flood Safety

Flooding is one of the top natural disasters that cause property damage across the country. Despite this danger, many people build homes and businesses in floodplains and other areas prone to flooding. Whether your new construction site is built in a floodplain or you have existing buildings prone to flooding, using flood-resilient construction materials can help reduce the impact of direct and prolonged contact with destructive water as well as avoid significant damage.

Flood-Resilient Construction

Floodplains are areas that may be impacted by both hydrostatic pressure caused by standing water and hydrodynamic pressure caused by flowing water. Both types of pressure are common during floods and can displace foundation walls and cause entire structures to collapse. Building with flood-resilient materials helps to preserve your building’s structural integrity and minimize any required cleanup after a flood so that you can move back into your building sooner.

Why Concrete For Floods?

Concrete is inherently water resilient and one of the best materials to use for building in areas where flooding may occur. Concrete can be waterproof or water-resistant. Waterproof concrete is impermeable, meaning it won’t allow water to pass through. This type of concrete is used for long-lasting, watertight construction. Top-rated concrete suppliers, such as Best Concrete Mix Corp., can also blend mixtures of concrete to improve its impermeability. Water-resistant concrete is also impermeable, resisting fluids above or below ground. Its high density includes fine particles to increase its strength.

Precast Or Cast-In-Place Concrete

Thanks to the impermeability of the concrete, buildings during a flood experience minimal damage and deformation. Precast concrete blocks and cast-in-place concrete, which is poured and formed at the construction site, are both ideal building materials to prevent or circumvent flooding.

Cast-in-place concrete is a preferred choice for concrete slabs and foundations, which provide barriers to water entering the cavities of a wall. Solid masonry walls made of cast-in-place, or precast concrete, also offer better flood resistance than partially filled cavity walls.

Concrete Floodwalls

If you’re existing structure isn’t flood-resistant, you can still protect your property by using concrete for floodwalls. A floodwall can be made of reinforced concrete or concrete blocks. Residential floodwalls may be built one- to four-feet tall and either surround the entire structure or, depending on average flood depths, built in areas to protect vulnerable openings, such as basement entrances, entry doors, and garage doors.

Floodwalls constructed of concrete rather than compacted earth are more resistant to erosion and require less space while providing the same level of protection. High-velocity water flow often erodes a compacted earth levee, leaving your property vulnerable. Concrete floodwalls can also be more aesthetically pleasing, especially when covered with a decorative stone finish. Unlike levees, concrete floodwalls often allow you to preserve existing landscaping, trees, and other features you wish to keep intact.

Trust The Concrete Experts

Best Concrete Mix Corp. is a leading concrete supplier, serving contractors throughout the New York City area from our two manufacturing facilities in Flushing. With 27 years of experience in the industry, we provide the high-performance products you need to complete the most challenging applications.

When you need superior concrete, you can count on us to provide the products you need to get any job done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Contact us at 718-539-5946 to discuss the various types of concrete we have available or place an order for the concrete.

High Early Concrete Uses and Safety

High early strength concrete is designed to cure quickly, making it ideal for applications where fast setting is required. High early concrete uses include pavement repairs, heavy equipment foundations, and new construction of high-load columns. Best Concrete Mix Corp. has experienced staff on hand to answer your questions about this type of concrete, and our Flushing, New York, production facilities produce high early concrete as well as a variety of mixes and strengths on site. 

Understanding High Early Concrete

High early concrete is made with high early strength cement using a low water-to-cement ratio. This type of concrete cures rapidly to reach structural quality, about 2,500 psi, within 24 to 72 hours. After curing for about two to three hours, this concrete can support its own weight, and after about six hours, it can handle people walking across the surface. Support for light vehicles develops at about 24 hours after application. Regular and high performance concrete may take seven days or more to reach a similar strength.

Winter weather conditions can slow concrete drying time and draw out your overall construction schedule, but quick-drying high early concrete sets fast enough to keep you on track. The smooth surface also reduces the need for grinding to save you even more time.

The unique properties that make high early concrete cure so quickly also make it more prone to shrinkage and cracking, so make sure it’s the best type for your job before switching from a more standard concrete mix. You should identify your concrete needs before beginning any project.

Common High Early Concrete Uses

If your project needs to be completed quickly or weather conditions slow down the curing process of regular concrete, high early strength concrete might be the right fit for your project. This kind of concrete high-performance when you need to open or reopen a specific road or structure quickly. The fast curing process helps reduce downtime after a repair and gives you more flexibility when planning construction schedules.

If you’re working on a project with multiple parts, you can use this type of concrete to pour small sections and then remove the framework for use in another part of your construction site as soon as the curing process is underway.

Some common high early concrete uses include:

The Safe Use of High Early Concrete

Because high early concrete has a possibility of cracking or shrinking after application, usage should be limited to experienced construction professionals. You should know the specific time limits for adding weight to your concrete after application. Minimizing construction downtime or road closure time needs to be balanced with safety and practicality.

High early strength concrete cures best at above approximately 50 degrees F, so extreme cold may cause it to set more slowly. The setting time stays lower than the time required to cure most traditional concrete options. Understanding the limits and benefits of high early concrete can help you decide whether it’s the best fit for your current or planned project.

Contact Us

Best Concrete Mix Corp. produces a wide range of concrete styles for construction sites in the Flushing, New York, area. To learn more about our various concrete options, including high early concrete, contact us at 718-539-5946.

Self-Consolidating Concrete: Benefits and Applications

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC), also known as self-compacting concrete, is a type of building material that flows and spreads into place and fills the form it’s going into easily without added mechanical vibration for successful placement and curing.

There are many practical applications and benefits to using self-consolidating concrete, and at Best Concrete Mix Corp., we can help you decide if it’s a suitable type for your project. 

History Of Self-Consolidating Concrete

SCC first originated in Japan in the mid-1980s at a time when skilled labor was in short supply. Eventually, it made its way to North America and Europe.

8 Self-Consolidating Concrete Benefits

This durable building material brings with it a host of benefits for contractors and builders, some of which are listed below.

Applications Of Self-Consolidating Concrete

Architectural concrete is one of the most popular applications of self-consolidating concrete, as it can flow into hard-to-reach areas. This can include large columns, decorative column bases, and other large structures.

Many famous buildings around the United States have benefited from the use of self-consolidating concrete, including the National Museum for the American Indian in Washington, D.C., the Comcast Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the Freedom Tower at 1 WTC, New York City.

Considerations When Using Self-Consolidating Concrete

While this type of building material is suitable for a wide range of applications and supplies many benefits, there are also other factors to consider that may affect its overall performance and capability. It’s important for an experienced concrete company to manage these factors during construction in cooperation with other contractors or builders.

Contact Best Concrete Mix Corp. For Commercial And Residential Concrete Construction Projects

Whether you need concrete for a residential building, parking garage, medical office, or other commercial building, you can count on Best Concrete Mix Corp. in Flushing, NY, to provide reliable concrete pouring services. Give us a call at 718-539-5946 for more information on self-consolidating concrete and the other types of concrete we offer or place an order with dispatch at 718-539-5946.

Signs Of Sub-Par Concrete

Whether you need to pour a concrete slab for a parking area, piers or a full basement, it’s important that the concrete from your supplier is made of quality materials and is rated for the project. Read up on how to spot the signs of sub-par concrete and what some of the quality tests are that are typically performed before the material is brought on site to ensure its integrity.

Concrete Problems

Spalling

Spalling happens when water enters concrete and forces the surface to either peel, pop out or flake. It happens because of moisture and sometimes salt as well. Eventually, it can cause crumbling and eventual destruction of a structure.

In general, spalling takes awhile to show up, and older homes are particularly vulnerable to spalling incidents in their basements. Usually, incidents of spalling are not necessarily attributed to the quality of materials from a concrete supplier, although excess water is sometimes a culprit.

There are some things concrete suppliers can to to prevent spalling in the first place, including:

Popouts

These generally cone-shaped pits, sometimes found in concrete flatwork such as driveways or sidewalks, happen when a piece of the concrete has broken away due to internal pressure. This can occur when moisture gets into the concrete, freezes and then expands.

Luckily, popouts do not decrease the lifespan of a concrete slab or basement — customers just find them aesthetically unpleasant.

Tips for preventing popouts include using:

Concrete Supplier Quality Tests

To ensure their concrete is of adequate quality, many concrete suppliers undergo a series of quality tests before it’s used.

Slump Test

A concrete slump test measures the consistency of fresh concrete before it sets and hardens. It’s usually placed in a metal cone that’s open at both ends and has attached handles. It’s filled with concrete in four stages, and the cone is lifted vertically upward. Finally, the concrete supplier measures the slump of the concrete from the top of the slumped concrete to the level of the top of the cone.

Other Concrete Tests

In addition to the slump test, other concrete tests for quality and durability include:

Quality concrete suppliers should be performing these tests on the quality and durability of their product according to industry standards.

Concrete Supplier in Flushing, NY

At Best Concrete Mix Corp., we provide professional concrete services for our customers, mainly government contracts and other large projects. We provide all different types of concrete for our customers depending on the project specifications, and we conduct thorough tests to ensure its durability and quality.

Contact Best Concrete Mix Corp.

If you’re in need of a professional quality concrete supplier, look no further than Best Concrete Mix Corp. in Flushing, New York. We have what it takes to make sure your project is done right and in a timely manner. Give us a call to find out how we can help at 718-539-5946, or to place an order.

Best Concrete Mix Corp.

We have been serving the NYC area for over 27 years. Count on us for ready mix concrete. Our experience and customer service method is second to none. Call Now!

Best Concrete Mix Corp.

We have been serving the NYC area for over 27 years. Count on us for ready mix concrete. Our experience and customer service method is second to none. Call Now!

Best Concrete Mix Corp.

We have been serving the NYC area for over 27 years. Count on us for ready mix concrete. Our experience and customer service method is second to none. Call Now!

Identifying Your Needs for Concrete: How Much Do You Need And What Type Is Required?

At Best Concrete Mix Corp., we can work with you directly to determine the best type of concrete necessary for your project. The type you use might vary depending on whether you’re building a full basement, a bridge, waterways or a foundation for a high-rise building.

Types Of Concrete

Best Concrete Mix Corp. offers a wide variety of concrete types to suit all sorts of industrial, governmental and residential projects.

Pervious Concrete

This type of porous or permeable concrete allows water from runoff to pass through it. It makes a great choice for stormwater infrastructure, roadways, sidewalks, patios and noise barriers, among others, and it has several other environmental benefits, including mitigation of pollutants, minimizing flash flooding, and protecting streams and water-based ecosystems.

Gunite Concrete

This type of unique concrete can be sprayed via air pressure onto surfaces at a high speed, making it ideal for structures that are curved, such as skate parks, domes and bridges. For residential customers, gunite concrete is a great choice for swimming pools because of its smooth surface and overall versatility.

High-Strength Concrete

This type of concrete generally has a compressive strength of 6,000 psi or more, making it suitable for applications where the structure to be built above it is large, such as a high-rise building, or any application where the pouring of the concrete surpasses a depth of 2 inches. Projects that utilize high-strength concrete include bridges, because it allows girders to be placed further apart than usual, as well as parking decks, curbs and ramps.

Flexural Strength Concrete

Flexural strength is slightly different from high-strength concrete in that it refers to the amount of tensile load the concrete can bear before failing, which basically means how far it can bend or stretch before it breaks or cracks. The location of a concrete structural element determines how much flexural strength it needs. First-floor columns, for instance, need more flexural strength compared to concrete used for non-load-bearing walls.

High-Early Concrete

This type of rapid-setting concrete is designed for quick construction projects, especially those that take place in cold weather. However, the same properties that allow it to be quick-setting also contribute to eventual cracking and increased shrinkage. Projects where high-early concrete might be used include concrete pavement repairs, airport pavement, concrete overlays, on-site precast applications and new pavement for a busy highway to minimize the duration of road closures.

EPS Concrete

This specialized type of high-grade concrete is known for being lightweight. It’s made from a combination of cement and expanded polystyrene, and most of its applications are within so-called green commercial buildings or homes.

How Much Concrete Do I Need?

At Best Concrete Mix Corp., we can work with you directly to estimate how much concrete you need based on the size and volume of your project.

Concrete is generally ordered in cubic yards. To find the amount, multiply the length by the width by the depth of your project. For example, if you’re pouring a concrete slab, the formula might look something like this:

Add 10 percent or so to account for spillage and depth variations and you end up with about 2.04 cubic yards.

Best Concrete Mix Corp. For All Your Concrete Pouring Needs

For more specific information on the type of concrete best for your project or to get some advice on how much you may need to complete it, contact Best Concrete Mix Corp. in Flushing, New York. For general inquiries, call 718-539-5946, or to place an order, call 718-539-5946.

Do You Require High-Strength Concrete For Your Construction Project?

High-strength concrete is a necessary building material for many industrial and commercial projects. Find out if you might require high-strength concrete for your building project.

What Is High-Strength Concrete?

High-strength concrete is a type of high-performance concrete that has a specified compressive strength of 6,000 psi or greater. Its production requires more research and more attention to detail during its development compared to conventional concrete.

The compressive strength of this type of concrete is measured using 6″ x 12″ or 4″ x 8″ cylinders, usually at 56 days or 90 days, depending on the project specifications and eventual application.

What Is High-Strength Concrete Used For?

Manufacturing High-Strength Concrete

Suppliers and other businesses that manufacture high-strength concrete make optimal use of the basic ingredients that make up normal-strength concrete. They are aware of what factors affect compression levels and how to manipulate them to achieve the end goal of high-strength concrete.

Uses Of High-Strength Concrete

Projects that need high-strength concrete include those where weight is important or where smaller support elements are used, generally because of architectural considerations. High-strength concrete carries loads more efficiently, reduces the amount of material placed and can reduce the overall cost of the structure.

High-Rise Buildings

The most common use of high-strength concrete can be seen in high-rise buildings in busy urban areas. High-rise structures considered suitable for this type of concrete are typically buildings over 30 stories. For instance, the 969-foot-tall building at 311 South Wacker Drive in Chicago uses concrete with compressive strengths up to 12,000 psi. It’s one of the tallest concrete buildings in the United States.

Highway Bridges

When constructing highway bridges, using high-strength concrete allows girders to span greater lengths than ordinary-strength concrete girders. Using high-strength concrete in this application also may ensure that fewer girders are required, which creates an economic advantage for the municipality.

Smaller Applications

Other projects where high-strength concrete may be necessary are when the material is being placed in depths greater than 2 inches. Fence posts, curbs, ramps and foundations are all great examples of where high-strength concrete can be beneficial.

Best Concrete Mix Corp. Produces High-Strength Concrete

At Best Concrete Mix Corp., we want to be your go-to source for high-strength concrete, whether you’re building a high-rise structure, airport runway, parking lot or other project.

We have two large plants that produce many types of concrete to suit whatever your construction requirements may be. Having two plants allows us to provide more product than our competitors in the same amount of time.

Contact Best Concrete Mix Corp. For Professional Concrete Pouring Services in Flushing, NY

If you’re an urban developer looking for a reliable, expert source of concrete pouring, contact Best Concrete Mix Corp. in Flushing, New York. We work primarily with businesses, governmental contracts and other large projects to deliver professional concrete services for our customers. For general inquiries, give us a call at 718-539-5946, or to place an order, call 718-539-5946.