Roadmaster Concrete Mixers at Hillhead 2014

May 15, 2014

Hillhead is a biennial trade show held on site at Lafarge Tarmac’s Hillhead quarry, located off the A515 south of Buxton in the Peak District. The show focuses on heavy duty construction and quarrying equipment, and around 450 suppliers of plant and equipment will be exhibiting their products and services. This year, the show runs from the 24th to the 26th June, and takes place in a working quarry with large-scale demonstrations of working equipment. Most of the exhibits are outdoors, so it’s wise to wear appropriate clothing and suitable footwear. Hillhead 2014 Hillhead’s unique location permits the exhibition of equipment…

How to Avoid Cracks Forming in Concrete

April 30, 2014

Concrete is undoubtedly one of the strongest, most robust man-made materials available when it comes to construction or floor laying. But even the toughest things can become damaged over time or through heavy duty impact. Concrete often has to withstand a lot of traffic, either from people, vehicles or machinery, making it susceptible to cracks and other faults. This is largely inescapable. However, cracks can also form if your concrete is incorrectly mixed or laid, which is most definitely avoidable, so long as you’re aware of the reasons that might cause them to occur… Incorrect Mix One of the biggest…

Should you Refurbish or Replace your Mixing Truck?

March 15, 2014

With better materials and better construction technology, the modern volumetric concrete mixing truck is far more sturdy and reliable than in previous decades. However, this doesn’t mean that your truck won’t need replacing or refurbishing at some point, as with constant use there is an end of life for every truck. There are two options available to you depending on your situation. The first is that you can simply choose to have the truck refurbished; this can be done if the vehicle itself is still in good working condition and only the mixer needs replacing. The alternative, presumably because neither the…

Surface Preparation Guide for Concrete Floors

February 17, 2014

Concrete floors are the ideal option for many industrial and commercial environments, particularly where heavy machinery is involved. Some domestic premises can also benefit from the surface, such as in utility rooms, driveways and garages. Having a concrete floor laid is a job for professionals. However, once completed, treating and painting the surface can be carried out by anyone in possession of a decent DIY grounding, the correct equipment and a few useful tips… NB: It’s important to note that the advice below is based on concrete floors that do not need repairs to cracks or other damage. The tips are…

How to Clean Concrete Driveways

December 18, 2013

Even if you don’t put a great deal of thought into the kind of concrete you use for your driveway, you should always try to take good care of the surface. In future you may want to move and sell your house, and when people come to look at your home the driveway will be a clear indication as to what they can expect inside – with oil spills and a mud coating you’re giving the signal that you don’t care about upkeep or cleanliness. At Roadmaster Concrete, we have a raft of experience in the concrete industry and want to…

Environmental Impact of Concrete Production

November 28, 2013

Concrete has been the primary construction material in our towns and cities for well over 100 years now, with its roots dating back centuries. It’s synonymous with industry and manufacturing, but despite what you may think concrete production is actually far better for our environment than similar processes for other construction materials. This is reassuring to know, especially at a time when the compromise between green practices and industrial growth is so stretched. The resources needed to create concrete (mostly sand, water, aggregate and cement) are natural and abundant, and its use helps to sustain other, less plentiful materials, such as…

A Guide to Concrete and Concrete Mixtures

September 15, 2013

Though a familiar part of our 21st century environment, concrete has been used for construction since ancient times. Roman forms of concrete, using hydrated lime and volcanic ash, were markedly superior to the predominantly sand and lime mixes used by other civilisations. Mixing The characteristic strength and density of concrete is related to the proportions of the three principal ingredients: water, cement and aggregate. The aggregate component is generally a type of gravel and/or small stone mixture which gives a rough or smooth texture to the finished concrete, reflecting the fine or coarse nature of the aggregate mixture. Water is generally…

How to Repair Cracked Concrete

July 19, 2013

Concrete is a very strong building material that can cope with large amounts of stress, but it is possible for it to be damaged. However, there are several methods that can be used to repair damaged concrete. The technique that is chosen will depend on the extent and location of the crack. Narrow concrete cracks are easier to repair than those that are wider, as long as the correct techniques are followed. Loose debris should be removed using a wire brush, and then the area should be washed using either a bucket of water or a hose. This will remove any…

How do Concrete Pumps Work?

May 23, 2013

A concrete pump is a piece of apparatus designed to simplify the process of moving liquid concrete from one place to another. They have become a mainstay of any application requiring large volumes of concrete, and replace the old method of shifting concrete by manual labour alone. Broadly speaking, there are two main types of concrete pump: boom-mounted concrete pumps, and line concrete pumps. Boom-mounted concrete pumps are attached to a large computer controlled boom which is often mounted on a truck or other large vehicle. Concrete can then be pumped to a site specified by the computer. This type of…

Screed: What is it Used For?

May 7, 2013

What is Screed? Effective mixing and application of screed is an important part of the concrete laying process, and understanding exactly how and why it’s used is the only way to create a long-lasting and stable surface. Fundamentally, screed is a levelling material, usually sand and cement, poured onto a structural concrete foundation layer and flattened to allow for a smooth surface for finishing materials. Wearing screeds are also available, where the screed serves as flooring itself with a visually desirable texture that has been used widely as an architectural feature. Usage The laying of screed was once a manual job,…