Buying concrete often looks like a blind choice for the buyer. There have been cases where builders have tried to deceive the principal by passing off low-quality concrete as more expensive.
Therefore, in this article, we will tell you what criteria can be used to determine the quality of the concrete surface.
Checking the quality of concrete is a multi-level procedure. In turn, there are three ways to check the quality of concrete: by its appearance, the condition of the transport vehicle and the availability of certificates.
Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to distinguish high-quality concrete from low-quality concrete without professional training. However, when it is ready to use, errors in the preparation of concrete become noticeable.
First, the concrete mass should be homogeneous. If there are lumps in the concrete, the crushed stone will settle to the bottom of the mixer, and the filler will be knocked off, which means that the ratio of ingredients was chosen incorrectly.This can lead to cracks in the concrete structure after some time of use.
Tip: To check the homogeneity of the concrete, put your hand into the concrete by 10-15 cm. If you feel that there is crushed stone at this level, the consistency of the concrete meets the standards.
Secondly, when concrete is compacted by vibration, "concrete milk" should appear on its surface — water with impurities of lime and other rock sediments that give it a white colour. If "concrete milk" is formed before vibration, it means that too much water has been added to the solution and that the density of the concrete has been violated.
If you do not find the above-mentioned "symptoms" of improperly prepared concrete, but still have doubts about its compliance with the declared quality, contact laboratory testing experts. To do this, you will have to cast three cubes of concrete with a minimum wall thickness of 100 mm, and then take them to the laboratory for testing.
The quality of concrete also largely depends on transportation. If the cement mixtures are delivered incorrectly, and the concrete is exposed to direct sunlight, freezes or delaminates under the influence of moisture, its properties will be irretrievably lost.
Another way to establish the origin of concrete is to check the supplier for quality certificates. For example, you can find the certificates of HouseBeton on our website in the “Certificates” section.*
So, if you need any advice on selecting the right concrete, feel free to get in touch with our specialist staff, and they will be more than happy to help you in choosing the right concrete.
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