Many homeowners with planned construction projects prefer to order their concrete in South Haven from a ready mix company for delivery. However, some die-hards still prefer to do their own work and mix their own concrete. For those concrete warriors, here are a few things to avoid.
An important thing to remember when mixing your own concrete is to specify carefully the proper mix for their project in in South Haven. Concrete is actually a mixture of several key ingredients including cement (the bonding medium), aggregate (sand or gravel), and water. If these are not mixed in the right proportion, your completed structure may not have the kind of strength or longevity you expect. Be sure to avoid the beginner’s mistake of mixing the cement without any aggregate. That is like building a brick and mortar fence without the brick. The aggregate is the core of the concrete strength, and needs to be added in the right proportion. One strong strategy for mixing proportions and choosing the granularity of the aggregate is to input your project into the internet and downloading the formula. Alternately, your local home supply will be able to give you specifications as well. This way, regardless if you are building a retaining wall, a foundation slab, or a fishpond, you will know whether to use sand or gravel, and the proper proportions of mix.
Another tip is to make sure you can stick with your pouring schedule. This means that, once you add the water to the mix of concrete in South Haven, you are committed. The hardening process for concrete is not really like drying mud into hard dirt. It is a chemical process that is initiated by the water. However, once initiated, it moves on to completion regardless of any additional water you may add. This means that if Aunt May drops in for a visit right after you have added the water, then Aunt May better be prepared to roll up her sleeves and help. Otherwise, you will have a wheelbarrow full of hardening cement.
Understanding the chemical process of concrete in South Haven will also help you understand the importance of eyewear, a breathing mask, and gloves. The cement dust is highly reactive to the moisture on your eyes and in your lungs. Give it no opportunity to begin reacting in either of those locations. In addition, it can be said that concrete dust likes moisture more than your body does. This means that if you get wet concrete on your hands it will leach the existing moisture from your skin.
Peterman Concrete Company supplies highest quality ready mix concrete for contractors, homeowners and farmers in South Haven, Michigan (MI) and surrounding areas.
