Concrete has become an excellent building material because it is economical, relatively easy to work, and highly durable, but it requires specialized maintenance to ensure its durability over time. Consider the following benefits: Economical and ecological. It requires less material for preparation and use, but this does not affect its durability in any way. It … Continue reading “Benefits Of Concrete Parking Lot Repair and Maintenance”
If you have purchased a concrete slab, you know that it can be challenging to install because it is a sloped concrete floor, which means that every point of the slab must be ground flat. And it will be important for you to get an experienced concrete contractor to perform this very important job correctly … Continue reading “Tips For Installing Concrete Foundation Slab”
Ready mix delivery of concrete has several distinct advantages over more conventional procedures such as drilling and cement pouring. Do you need a ready mix concrete supplier for your next project? We provide fresh ready mix delivery all throughout the Houston and surrounding areas. Call 281-407-1409 to request a free price quote today. Ready-mix concrete … Continue reading “Advantages Of Ready Mix Concrete Houston TX”
Are you searching for a concrete contractor near Houston to help you with your residential concrete project? If that is the case, you’re in the right place at the right time. U-Need Concrete & More offers concrete installation for homeowners throughout the Houston, TX and surrounding areas. Residential Concrete Contractors Near Houston Our concrete company … Continue reading “Concrete Contractors Near Houston”
Whether a project is small — like steps — or larger in scope like a patio, figuring how much concrete you need is done the same way. However, as you will soon discover, how the concrete makes its way to your home is another story.
Figuring how much material you need isn’t nearly as complicated as some would have you believe. Although a project is typically expressed in square feet, when buying concrete, it is measured in cubic yards – and a project’s length, width and depth determine the amount needed. Regardless of the size of the project, the formula is the same: multiply length by width (to find square feet), multiply that by depth or thickness (for cubic feet) and divide by 27 (the number of cubic feet in a cubic yard) to determine how much concrete (in cubic yards) is required. Confused? Building material suppliers offer free conversion charts for the math-challenged. Or you can purchase inexpensive “enter your dimensions” hand-held project calculators and there are numerous project estimators on the Internet.
Once you’ve figured how much concrete you will need you must next determine how to get it to the job. Concrete is a mixture of sand, gravel, water and Portland cement and can be obtained in three ways: separate dry ingredients that you mix on site, pre-mixed in the sack where you just add water, and ready-mixed from a batch plant and delivered by truck. There is a variation to the latter where you can haul a small amount of ready-mix material using a trailer provided by the batch plant or a rental yard. Of the three methods, raw materials mixed on site are used the least frequently due to the availability of pre-mixed product.
What’s the best means of obtaining concrete for your project? Small projects such as pouring a step or stoop, setting a few fence posts or making small repairs can best be done using the pre-mixed sack product. Pre-mixed bags are great cost-wise too. Available in two sizes: 60-pound (average $1.35 – $1.80) and 90-pound ($2.00 – $2.30). There are also a number of special mixes for setting fence posts and mailboxes – sold in 40 and 50-pound bags in two “no-mix” formats: (1) you dump the concrete into the hole, then add water, and (2) the reverse – first the water, then the concrete
Taking on a path, patio or other sizable project using anything other than ready-mix can be a recipe for disaster. There is a point of diminishing returns where the number of bags needed for larger projects simply overwhelms the economy of mixing it yourself. For example, a 10’ X 10’ X 6” patio needs 1.85 cubic yards of concrete or about two yard with waste. Using 60-pound bags that yield one-half cubic foot per would require 100 bags. The concrete will set faster than you can mix and pour it and you’ll end up with a poor pour and a nasty finish – unless you are willing to work in phases over a period of time.
Work-wise, ready-mix is a no-brainer for mid to large projects, but what about cost? Using 60-pound bags, concrete for a patio this size ranges from $135 to $180. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll need to rent a mixer, which adds another $40 to $60 per day. While calling in ready-mix reduces work, it also boosts the cost. Each cubic yard costs about $65. However, a fully loaded cement truck will hold 10 cubic yards – and partial “short” loads cost $15 to $20 extra for every cubic yard less than a full load.
From patios, driveways, foundation slab, parking lots and ready-mix delivery services in Houston. U-Need Concrete & More is focused on our customers whether you need concrete contractors or on-site delivery.? Our company has built a reputation for providing only the highest-quality service for all our concrete work. We service individuals, contractors and builders throughout the Houston and surrounding areas. You can get concrete installed, repaired or replaced for residential, commercial and industrial properties.
