Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the difference  between cement and concrete?

Contrary to what many think, cement and concrete are not the same thing. Cement is actually an ingredient used in concrete.

Concrete is essentially made of cement, water, sand, and stone. Cement is a very fine powder made from limestone, sand, clay, and iron ore. In the correct proportions these ingredients are crushed and super-heated in a kiln to form “clinker”. The clinker is crushed again with the precise amount of gypsum and other ingredients.  The result is a fine powder known as cement. Concrete’s strength comes from the reaction between water and the chemical compounds in cement referred to as hydration. The aggregates in concrete (sand and stone both coarse and fine) are for volume only and are not considered active ingredients in the hydration process.

How many square feet will one cubic yard of concrete surface?

Check out our Concrete Calculator.

Can you add something to fresh concrete to protect it from freezing?

Unfortunately, there's no "antifreeze" for concrete. However, there are admixes that can be added to the mix to accelerate the set to compensate for cold temperatures. There are also admixes that can be used to slow the set for high temperatures. At hot or cold temperature extremes, special care must be taken to insure a quality product.

What safety measures should I take when working with concrete?

Concrete is generally a safe component and provides little to no danger. More precaution should be taken with the delivery and placement of concrete. To avoid risk, the following precautions should be taken: 

1. Wear personal protective equipment including safety glasses, PVC gloves, rubber boots, a high visibility vest, a hard hat, and fall protection if necessary.
2. Fresh concrete may irritate your skin – be sure to wear gloves and rubber boots. If you’re going to be finishing the concrete on your knees with a float, be sure to wear knee pads that are soft and waterproof. Consult a medical professional if you experience irritation in the eyes or prolonged skin irritation.
3. Be sure that you have a location large enough for a mixer truck to navigate and park safely, out of the flow of traffic. 
4. Make sure your driveway or job site entrance can support the weight of a mixer truck. Depending on the load, mixer trucks can weigh between 36,000lbs and 75,000lbs. 
5. Beware when placing concrete below grade, or ground level. Be sure that you provide appropriate escape inclines and adequate support to any loose dirt to prevent a cave-in.
6. Be sure that you have a plan to effectively unload the concrete safely. If the truck cannot directly access the site of your pour you will likely have to use buckets, a wheelbarrow, buggies, or even a concrete pump. Be careful not to injure yourself by carrying loads that are too heavy.
7. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially when working with large equipment including mixer trucks, pump trucks, etc. Stand clear when equipment is in motion and work safely near all equipment.
8. Concrete is often poured in places that are by nature “unfinished”. Watch for dirt access roads, ruts, muddy conditions, hazardous inclines, or slippery surfaces.
9. Prepare for incidents and injuries by knowing who to call if someone were injured on your job or at your home. Ask your contractor about your liability for an injury while at your home or job site and about their liability concerning any property damage that may take place during construction. 

What will I need to know to order concrete?

Dispatch will want to know what mix design is required, how you intend to place it on the jobsite, the delivery address and time, approximately how long you will hold the truck, and any special instructions that are pertinent to your job (i.e.: Do you need expansion joint?, Does the concrete require Fibermesh?, Will this be colored concrete?, Will this be a C.O.D. order?, Do you have an account?)

I want to place concrete behind my house......how will I get it there?

There are many methods available to place concrete in less accessible areas. They range from direct placement from the chute on the truck (usually around 15 ft reach) to a wheelbarrow, to concrete pumps that can place concrete around obstacles several hundred feet away.