Aug 7, 2013

Driveways And Patios Made By Virginia Concrete Company

By Cathy Mercer


Driveways, patios and basement floors are some examples of what a Virginia Concrete Company can do. The materials in a mix for a specific project will contain varied proportions of cement, aggregates and reinforcing components. In addition, colors can be added to the mix and stamped patterns can be imprinted on the surface. Staining is another finish that is available.

Aggregate and cement are mixed with water to make this versatile building material. Cement is the binder that holds the aggregate material together in the mixture. An aggregate can be granite, limestone, crushed rocks or gravel. Sand is one of the finer components that can be included. Other binding materials are slag and fly ash.

After the other components are added, water turns it into a partially liquid consistency. It must be delivered to the building site and poured while it is in the liquid state. Wooden forms are built prior to the day when it is poured. These will contain the mixture until it begins to dry. Hydration, which occurs after the pouring, is a chemical process activated when the cement reacts to the water.

The wooden forms can be set to hold the mixture in place as it dries. They can outline a patio of any shape or size. Forms are removed when the drying process is complete. Forms can hold a porch or steps in place as they dry. An attractive porch and steps make a lovely entrance to any home.

When building large structures such as bridges rebar is added to the mix. Rebar is metal bars, mesh or other metallic material. This makes a structure strong enough to support a significant amount of weight. For example, support cars and trucks traveling on the overpass of an interstate highway.

Virginia is a state that enjoys relatively warm weather year round. This makes it possible to pour an installation in most months. Weather conditions are always a concern. Extreme humidity and wind can be a hazard to completing a project successfully. Scheduling it for early morning is advisable during especially hot weather.

An expert concrete contractor will modify the composition of the mix if weather conditions indicate it is necessary. Delivery of the concrete should be scheduled for a specific time. It is crucial to have enough finishers on the job immediately following the pour. Without enough employees on the job, portions of the surface would not be treated before it began to dry.

All concrete will crack in response to changing weather conditions. This is not as extreme in Virginia as it is in areas having very cold winters. To minimize this, saw cuts are made in a slab following the finishing process. In cold weather states, there is a greater amount of expansion and contraction in response to the temperature changes.

A Virginia concrete company will build either plain or fancy home improvement projects. The design of each is dependent on what the homeowner has in mind. One homeowner may want a large patio that looks like it is made of individual bricks. That can be done using a stamping process. Another homeowner may want a small patio with a soft green color, like grass. That is done by adding color to the mix. Every client can have a patio built to his individual specifications.




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