Strong and adaptable, concrete may be used to construct anything from a walkway to a whole structure and more. Despite its significant contribution to construction, many people still hold some misconceptions about concrete and concrete paving. Check this out for a few of the most well-known:
1. The hue of concrete is usually gray.
Although concrete does begin as gray, this is not always how it will turn out. When the concrete mixture is still wet, mineral colors can be added and thoroughly mixed in to give the concrete a varied color when it hardens.
2. Acid can be used to remove concrete sealer.
This is blatantly untrue. In truth, acid is a chemical that should not be used to remove any kind of sealant since it can seriously harm concrete. Instead, a solvent or sealant stripper ought to be used.
3. Cement and concrete are interchangeable terms.
Despite the frequent confusion between these two names, cement is a component of the concrete used for concrete pavement. Other ingredients include water, aggregates (like sand and crushed gravel), paste, and additives.
4. Concrete is more durable the higher the compressive strength.
The compressive strengths of concrete range from 2,500 psi to 10,000 psi, and while you might assume that the strongest concrete is the most durable, that isn’t necessarily the case. Durability is a crucial quality, however it is influenced by factors that can cause concrete to crumble (such as freeze-thaw cycles or sulfate reactions). Reducing the permeability of your concrete is the greatest approach to keep it durable.
5. Being impermeable, concrete.
In reality, even the most dense varieties of concrete include pores. This means that liquids and gases, including water and other chemicals, can travel through concrete. Water may seep through in a matter of minutes or it may take months, depending on how long it takes for them to penetrate the substance.
6. Concrete may be laid at any time of year.
Although concrete is a tough substance, it must be poured in the proper conditions in order for it to entirely dry. It can be difficult for the mixture to properly harden if concrete is laid when it is extremely hot or below freezing. Our concrete paving firm advises performing it in the spring or the fall for the finest effects.
7. The Hoover Dam’s concrete is littered with dead remains.
Have you ever heard a tale about a dam worker who accidentally falls into concrete being poured, is unable to escape, and is ultimately engulfed in concrete to the point of death? Simply put, this is untrue. The Hoover Dam was built by more than 100 persons who perished, but none of them are represented in the concrete construction. If this were to occur, it would result in structural problems after the body started to rot.