Author: Dwayne Ferguson

How to Avoid Concrete Failure

Dwayne Ferguson Landscaping Improvement
How to Avoid Concrete Failure

While concrete is extremely strong, it can also be very brittle if it’s not properly mixed and cured. Concrete failure can occur in a variety of ways because of the versatility of this material and all of its applications.

Each type of failure is different and has its own causes and solutions. It’s important to understand how these common types of failures occur so that your project is not negatively affected.

Keep reading to learn 5 tips for preventing concrete failure.

1. Avoid trapped air 

Trapped air bubbles in concrete can cause it to fail. Concrete is a mixture of gravel, sand, and cement (among other ingredients), and when this mix gets poured into forms or molds, trapped air bubbles can form. 

These bubbles result in weak spots that aren’t able to handle pressure.

To avoid trapped air when mixing concrete, ideally, you should hire a professional with a mixer truck rather than attempting to mix and pour on your own. 

When mixing on your own, you risk adding too much water to the mix or mixing it for too long. This can cause small cracks and fissures which will leave your concrete vulnerable as well. 

2. Don’t overload concrete forms

Overloading concrete is another common cause of concrete failure. While concrete is one of the strongest materials on the planet, different types have different limits. For example, reinforced concrete should be used if you anticipate supporting a large weight or structure.

Unfortunately, some cheap contractors like to cut corners here by using the wrong type of concrete to complete the job faster. Then, once heavy loads are placed on the concrete, it cracks.

3. Always use good quality raw materials

Using good quality raw materials is another way to avoid concrete failure. This goes for both the sand and gravel used in your mix as well as the cement itself.

If you’re not using a reputable supplier, there’s no telling what sorts of additives they may be including in their products (or if any at all). 

For example, recycled or fly ash cement can sometimes be used in place of traditional Portland cement. While this is cheaper, it also has a shorter lifespan and may not meet the standards you’re looking for.

The same goes for sand or gravel that doesn’t measure up to your specifications. If it’s too coarse, the concrete mix won’t have enough cohesion between particles which can cause the material to crumble.

If you want strong, durable, and long-lasting concrete, always make sure to use a reputable contractor and supplier for raw materials.

4. Use water treated with low levels of dissolved sulphate

Using water with low levels of dissolved sulphate is another way to avoid concrete failure. You see, metal ions (especially iron or steel) can lead to the formation of rust within your concrete mix which will make it vulnerable and prone to cracking.

The easiest thing you can do here is use deionized water in place of tap water. If this isn’t available, try to use water with low levels of dissolved sulphate. This will prevent the metal ions from being deposited into your concrete mix which will result in a stronger material overall.

5. Don’t use high-silica aggregates in areas with high humidity

If you’re using high-silica aggregates in areas with high humidity, you may run into concrete failure. This is because the aggregates will absorb moisture from the air, leading to cracks within your material over time.

For example, if you’re creating a sidewalk or patio in a high-humidity area like Louisiana, and you use this sort of aggregate without a waterproof coating, you may be in for a rude awakening.

6. Hire the professionals

Concrete failure is expensive. The best way to avoid it is by hiring the professionals at Port Aggregates.

At PAI, our professional concrete contractors are skilled in creating bubble-free, high-quality pours in high-humidity areas like Louisiana.  We use only the best quality materials for our mixes and never cut corners to save money or time. 

Contact us today to request a quote for your next residential or commercial project!

The post How to Avoid Concrete Failure appeared first on Port Aggregates.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.concreteideas.co/?p=1275

How Rip Rap Helps With Erosion Prevention

Dwayne Ferguson Landscaping Improvement
How Rip Rap Helps With Erosion Prevention

erosion prevention

Every 100 minutes, the Louisiana coast loses an entire football field’s worth of wetlands to erosion.

If you’ve ever been near the coast, chances are that you’ve seen rip rap in place to prevent this from happening.

Rip rap is a type of large rock that’s often made of crushed granite. Manmade or natural, these rocks are often about a foot in diameter and offer several benefits.

The many advantages of rip rap

Rock rip rap is used to protect streambanks, channels, slopes, shorelines, inlets, outlets, and many other erosion-prone areas. It stabilizes and fills slopes that are unstable due to seepage and helps slow the velocity of concentrated runoff. 

Not to mention, it’s also extremely easy to use and install, requiring virtually no maintenance. When placed over a filler material such as fabric, sand, or gravel, it can prevent soil from seeping through the stone and protect the underlying natural material.

Uniform vs. graded

Rip rap comes in two forms: uniform and graded. Uniform rip rap is delivered in pieces that are similar in size, whereas graded comes in a variety of different sizes. Graded rip rap is cheaper to install and better at withstanding stone movement, which is why it’s often preferred over uniform. 

Port Aggregates offers three types of rip rap: 10lb rip rap (6-10”), 30lb rip rap, and 55lb rip rap. Whether your goal is to prevent erosion or simply create a garden, we’ve got just what you need. Our high-quality crushed limestone is available in numerous sizes to suit your special needs. Contact us today to request a quote

The post How Rip Rap Helps With Erosion Prevention appeared first on Port Aggregates.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.concreteideas.co/?p=1270

How are Elevated Concrete Slabs Poured?

Dwayne Ferguson Concrete

Elevated concrete slabs (also known as suspended concrete slabs) are most commonly found in commercial offices, parking garages, and other multistory heavy-use buildings. 

These pours require a bit more skill than your everyday residential concrete driveway and will need to be carried out by a professional contractor

Multiple factors are involved in pouring elevated concrete slabs, including the weight of the floor and the effect any additional loads will have on it. 

This is how it’s done.

1. The supporting walls are built according to the structural plans

The first step in pouring an elevated concrete slab involves building the supporting walls according to the structural plans. These walls can either be created out of reinforced concrete or concrete blockwork.

2. A crane is used to lower the metal into place

After the supporting walls have been constructed, a metal slab pan is lowered into place using a tower crane. This pan will be used as the framework for pouring and forming the elevated concrete slab. You can also use a system of connected preformed concrete panels instead.

3. Reinforced steel mesh is laid into the pan

Before the concrete is poured, reinforced steel mesh is laid into the pan and is lifted slightly off the floor using chairs (small metal supports) that are evenly spaced apart. This step is what gives the floor the strength necessary to support itself. 

In larger buildings, precast concrete floors that’ve been previously reinforced with tensile steel bars might be required for maximum strength. 

4. The concrete is poured and cured

Finally, after everything has been laid out and arranged according to plan, the concrete is mixed and poured in agreement with the structural engineers’ recommendations. 

The slab must then be left to cure for at least 48 hours before anyone can walk on it. The time it will take before anyone can park or drive on it will vary depending on several factors.

At Port Aggregates, our skilled contractors have over 40 years’ worth of experience built into our tried and trusted techniques. Whether you’re looking for a residential driveway, commercial suspended slabs, or precast concrete, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to request a quote

The post How are Elevated Concrete Slabs Poured? appeared first on Port Aggregates.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.concreteideas.co/?p=1269

Rip Rap: The Original Rock Wall

Dwayne Ferguson Concrete
Rip Rap: The Original Rock Wall

rip rap

If you’ve ever walked along a shoreline or under a bridge, chances are that you’ve seen what’s called rip rap

This rocky material is a form of crushed limestone that comes in a range of sizes. It can be anywhere from 4 inches to over 2 feet in width, depending on how fast the surrounding water moves and the steepness of the slope that it will be placed upon.

What Does Rip Rap Do?

The main purpose of rip rap is to prevent erosion on a pond bank, hill, or slope. Without this protection, roadways wash out, bridges become compromised, and property gets lost.

However, erosion prevention is not its only benefit. 

Contractors prefer rip rap because of its extreme durability and natural appearance. The reliability and affordability of this material make it the ideal choice for protecting bridges, pilings, shorelines, and streambeds from damage caused by water and ice.

Rip rap also buffers the impact of waves crashing against the shore and the force of water against the bank. In these cases, a larger grade (like our #1x4G) is installed over a textile for ultimate protection.

Where Can Rip Rap be Used?

Rip rap is most useful to structures or shorelines that are continuously exposed to rushing water. For example: near a bridge that’s located alongside an embankment, adjacent to waterway supports, and along a lake shoreline or the outer bank of a river bend.

It can also be used to build low-lying dividing walls or planting areas. In really steep slopes or high drainage areas, wire mesh or chain link is needed at the base of the decline to hold the rip rap in place.

At Port Aggregates, we offer three types of rip rap:

10lb rip rap (6-10”)30lb rip rap55lb rip rap

Regardless of whether you’re looking to prevent bridge erosion or simply trying to build a garden, we’ve got you covered. Our high-quality crushed limestone is available in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet your unique needs. Contact Port Aggregates today to request a quote

The post Rip Rap: The Original Rock Wall appeared first on Port Aggregates.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.concreteideas.co/?p=1266

3 Benefits of a Stamped Concrete Patio

Dwayne Ferguson Landscaping Improvement

After last year, we can all use a little extra fun this summer.

Not ready to go out yet? No worries!

By adding a patio to your backyard or enhancing your current one, you can bring the party straight to your house.

A stamped concrete patio is one of the best investments you can make this summer for a few reasons:

1. The material is unmatched

Compared to other popular choices like wood or pavers, stamped concrete is substantially more durable, easier to install, and requires a lot less maintenance. Not to mention, it can mimic the appearance of any other material at the most budget-friendly price on the market. 

2. It can be made to match any style

The stamped concrete process is pretty self-explanatory. It gets its appearance through specially-designed rubber roller stamps that are pressed into the wet material. Whether you want your slab to look like tile, wood, brick, or precious stone, it’s all possible. 

The options are truly endless with this type of concrete. Using stains, dyes, colored epoxy finishes, engravings, and overlays, your patio can be made to match any color scheme and incorporate any special logos, designs, patterns, or other features. 

3.  It opens up the door to so many possibilities

A stamped concrete patio can transform your yard into the ultimate summer fun space. Have you always wanted an outdoor kitchen? Are your kids fantasizing about roasting marshmallows over an open fire this summer?

All of this is possible when you have a beautiful outdoor space to gather. No matter what your style or taste is, you can make your dreams come true with a stamped concrete patio. 

Don’t let COVID steal another summer. Turn your home into the ultimate staycation resort with decorative concrete! At Port Aggregates, we’re here to help you create the perfect concrete patio to match your unique taste.

With more than 40 years in business and 24 locations across Louisiana, our contractors are well-versed in decorative concrete installation and design. Contact Port Aggregates today to request a quote

The post 3 Benefits of a Stamped Concrete Patio appeared first on Port Aggregates.

What can Precast Concrete be Used For?

Dwayne Ferguson Concrete

Known for its immense strength, durability, and endurance, concrete is the number one building material in the world. It’s been used for centuries and can last for thousands of years.

There are several different types of concrete, but today we’re going to take a look at precast and its many uses. 

What is precast concrete?

Precast concrete is formed using a mold and is often used to create columns, beams, or parking curbs. It can be produced in mass quantities due to specifications and codes that are already established. This building process is extremely efficient, allowing for hundreds of large structures to be built in just a few weeks.

The purpose of precast and its many uses

Precast concrete is built above the ground and can be used to stabilize large pieces of earth or hold back dirt. This makes it a great choice for building large retaining walls or smaller retention ponds. 

Three-sided bridges and box culverts for marshland and stream crossings also call for precast concrete. A strong material is particularly essential for structures like these. Otherwise, traveling over this type of land would be impossible without damaging the environment. 

In certain cases, custom pieces can even be made to meet your unique needs; for example, creating a vault using more than one piece when preexisting blockages are in the way. In these circumstances, individual precast panels are constructed and the vaults are then pieced together in place. Other custom examples may include railroad crossings or boat ramps.

Precast concrete is also used to construct buried infrastructure like catch basins, manholes, and vaults. These structures can be used to house telecommunication or electrical junction boxes, move storm water or sewage, and retain water.

Understanding the benefits

One of the biggest perks of precast concrete is that it’s ready to install when you are. This is one of the main shortcomings of site-casted concrete, because weather can delay the pour. Because precast concrete is created within a controlled environment, this is not an issue.

Another major benefit is the fact that strength-testing has already occurred before delivery day. Site-casted concrete, however, requires extra time and effort on the day of the pour to add rebar, set forms, and monitor the product.

When it comes to the production of precast concrete, the process alone is extremely sustainable. At Port Aggregates, all of our concrete products are made with the highest quality materials. It’s why we’ve been trusted for over 40 years! Contact us today to request a quote

The post What can Precast Concrete be Used For? appeared first on Port Aggregates.

How to Remove Stains From Concrete Flooring

Dwayne Ferguson Landscaping Improvement

One of the biggest concerns that people have when it comes to concrete flooring is how to clean it efficiently.

Fortunately, removing stains from a concrete floor is not nearly as difficult or complicated as it sounds. 

Here are a few stain removal tricks to help you maintain spectacular looking concrete floors.

Removing paint stains

Timing is everything when it comes to a paint stain on concrete flooring. For the best results, it’s critical to act as quickly as possible. 

For a fresh spill, start by putting on goggles for eye protection, then mix together one cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) with four liters of hot water. Pour the mixture over the paint, scrub it with a long brush, and pressure rinse it until the stain is removed. 

Unfortunately, if you’re dealing with a very large spill, there may always be a slight hint of color left on the concrete.

Removing oil

Oil stains are some of the ugliest, most stubborn stains out there. If possible, try to absorb the oil as soon as you notice it so that it doesn’t penetrate into the concrete. 

Believe it or not, your best bet against a fresh oil stain is to pour cat litter or mud over it, then scrub with a stiff brush or broom. Leave the cat litter or mud on top of the stain for at least an hour before sweeping it away. For tougher stains, leave it overnight.

If this doesn’t completely do the trick, mix together one cup of TSP with hot water, then pour this on top of the stain. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes before scrubbing with a rigid nylon brush and hosing it off with pressurized water. 

Removing mud

When mud is left for too long on concrete flooring, it can leave an ugly brown stain. Fortunately, this is one of the easiest stains to remove. Simply mix together some dishwashing detergent and warm water into a spray bottle, shake it, and squirt it over the stain. Let it sit for around 10 minutes, then scrub it off with a nylon brush and rinse with a high-pressure hose.

Removing rust stains

Unfortunately, rust stains on concrete are quite difficult to remove entirely. Large, old rust stains often require a special rust remover. But for smaller, newer rust stains, using vinegar is your best bet. 

Just pour it on the stain, let it sit for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing with a nylon brush, and its acidic properties will eat away the rust. Rinsing and repeating may be required. 

Looking for more tips on concrete and how to clean it? Check out the Port Aggregates blog

The post How to Remove Stains From Concrete Flooring appeared first on Port Aggregates.

4 Steps to Prepare Your Stamped Concrete for Summer

Dwayne Ferguson Concrete

When it comes to taking care of stamped concrete, summer is the best season to do so.

With temperatures rising in Louisiana, now is the time to start preparing your concrete for the warmer weather to come.

To increase the longevity of your decorative concrete, you must follow the following 4 steps when preparing your slab for summer.

1. Make sure you don’t need to strip your concrete

After a particularly harsh winter (like the record-breaking freeze of 2020), you may want to consider resealing your concrete. 

Before you do so, however, you may wonder whether or not it’s necessary to strip off the old sealer first.

Fortunately, as long as your slab has been around longer than the early 2000s and has been stripped once before, it will not need stripping prior to resealing.

2. Power wash your slab

Once you’ve concluded whether or not you need to strip your stamped concrete, you’ll want to power wash it before you proceed with anything else.

Pollen, leaf, and tire stains can create such an eyesore. Power washing your slab is ideal for clearing away all the dirt, grime, and stains that have built up over the past year.

If you’ve got tough stains from oil and tar, you should use neutral soap, a solvent cleaner, or a degreaser first. This will loosen the stain which can then be sprayed off with the power washer.

3. Check for cracks

After your stamped concrete has been fully cleaned, scan it with your eyes for cracks. Most hairline fractures can be fixed on your own, but long and deep cracks may require you to replace the slab altogether.

4. Seal your concrete

If you haven’t resealed your concrete in the past three years, now is the best time to do so. Sealer is most effectively applied during warm weather on dry concrete. If you’re planning on sealing your concrete this spring, be sure to check the weather ahead of time, as the sealer will need a couple of days with no rain in order to dry properly.

Looking for more concrete tips and tricks? Check out the Port Aggregates blog

The post 4 Steps to Prepare Your Stamped Concrete for Summer appeared first on Port Aggregates.