What Is Concrete Spalling and How Can You Prevent It This Winter?

Posted by & filed under Concrete Driveways.

What Is Concrete Spalling and How Can You Prevent It This Winter?Concrete driveways are known for being extremely durable and long-lasting, but they can still be damaged in extreme weather conditions. In the winter, when temperatures fall below freezing and snow accumulates on surfaces, concrete driveways can be more likely to experience environmental damage.

One fairly common type of damage that can occur during the winter is called spalling.

Also known as scaling, spalling occurs when the thin top layer of concrete chips or flakes away from the rest of the paved surface. When scaling becomes widespread, it can eventually expose the aggregate and leave the driveway vulnerable to further damage. In the past, you may have noticed this spalling phenomenon on worn concrete sidewalks that haven’t been repaved in a while.

The good news is, there are steps you can take to prevent spalling on your driveway this winter.

You can start by sealing your driveway to add an extra layer of protection in harsh weather. Sealing products are a great investment that can extend the lifespan of your driveway and prevent environmental damage such as spalling and cracking.

You should also try to limit your use of rock salt and other de-icing chemicals on the driveway. These products do a great job of melting ice on surfaces, but their harsh chemical compositions can accelerate wear on concrete driveways. Instead, use gentler alternatives such as sand, cat litter or alfalfa meal to increase traction on your driveway without causing damage.

All it takes to prevent spalling is a little preparation! Need a hand with your next concrete paving project? Give us a call today to get started!

Increasing Traction on Concrete Surfaces

Posted by & filed under Concrete Buggy, Concrete Delivery, Concrete Designs, Concrete Driveways, Concrete Maintenance, Concrete Walkway, Pouring Concrete, Uncategorized.

Increasing Traction on Concrete SurfacesThere are a number of benefits to having a concrete driveway, but just like many other types of surfaces, concrete can quickly become slippery in the winter. As snow and ice piles up in the coming months, your driveway can become a safety hazard.

However, there are a few preventative measures you can take to increase the traction on your driveway and any other concrete surfaces you may have around your property.

One of the most effective methods to increase traction is to apply a friction coating. To do this, you’re going to first need to choose a specific type of friction coating. There are several options available, each of which may be more or less suited to your specific driveway.

For example, there are friction coating products made with everything from aluminum oxide beads to polyethylene, so make sure you ask for help before making a final selection.

Once you’ve chosen a specific type of coating, it should be applied to your concrete driveway on a day with moderate temperature and no rain. Make sure your driveway is closed off so nobody steps or drives onto it while the coating is being applied.

Before getting started, your driveway should also be as clean as possible to ensure that the coating adheres well to the surface. If you aren’t working with a new driveway, you may need to use a degreasing cleaner to get rid of some deeper grime and roadway oils.

There are other methods of improving traction on concrete services, including broom finishing. This technique can be done immediately after concrete is poured, adding a series of small lines in the concrete that can add some additional traction. However, it’s not ideal for any concrete surfaces that have decorative markings, and it can only be done during the construction of a new driveway.

Regardless of which method you use, stay safe this winter and take the necessary steps now to prevent slippery driveways in the future.

At Bergen Mobile Concrete, we can help ensure that your driveway is prepared for all seasons. With comprehensive concrete delivery services – including night and weekend availability – we’re available when you need us.

For more information, call us today at 201-797-7550.

Temperature and Concrete: Know How Weather Affects Your Pour

Posted by & filed under Pouring Concrete.

Concrete is such a common material for foundations, slabs, sidewalks and other construction projects that it is easy to forget it needs to be poured under the right circumstances. The weather, and particularly the temperature, plays a significant role in allowing concrete to set properly. Here’s how the weather affects your pour.

Cold weather presents a number of challenges to pouring concrete. Freezing temperatures, heat loss between the time the concrete is mixed and when it is poured, and snow or ice can wreak havoc on your concrete installation.

Concrete Pouring in Cold WeatherFreezing temperatures are a significant problem when pouring concrete. The concrete must harden to a strength of at least 500 psi before freezing. Newly poured concrete that freezes before it has adequately hardened may be irreparably damaged as a result. In fact, concrete that freezes can lose as much as half of its intended strength.

Frozen ground is also a problem when pouring concrete. Even if the air temperatures are above freezing, ground that is frozen will likely cause trouble. Frozen ground can increase the time needed for the concrete to set. Further, the ground may also settle and reposition after a thaw, causing the concrete to shift and crack. Pouring concrete onto frozen ground requires first taking steps to thaw the ground.

Snow, ice or standing water are also common at construction sites during the cold weather. Pouring concrete on top of this moisture can lead to problems, as it may affect the rate at which the concrete sets or introduce too much moisture into the concrete mixture, impacting the cured concrete’s final strength.

Concrete that is mixed at a plant and then transported to a job site will lose heat during transport in cold weather. A general rule is that the concrete temperature will decrease by about one-fourth the difference between the mix temperature and air temperature for every hour of transport. During winter weather this could easily amount to 5 or more degrees per hour. Fortunately, at Bergen Mobile Concrete, we use a fleet of state-of-the-art, metered mobile concrete mixer trucks to deliver concrete throughout northern New Jersey. With our ability to mix on-site, you can get exactly the volume you need and without the risk of temperature loss.

We aim to provide dependable, reliable service on every delivery, regardless of how much concrete you need. To learn more, call us today at 201-797-7550 and request a quote for your next project.

Safety Tips for Working With Concrete

Posted by & filed under Concrete Buggy, Concrete Delivery, Concrete Designs, Concrete Driveways, Concrete Maintenance, Pouring Concrete, Uncategorized.

Safety Tips for Working With ConcreteAre you planning on pouring a new concrete driveway, patio or walkway outside your home or business? Concrete is an excellent option for all these applications and more. But before you start a DIY paving project, it’s important to take the proper safety precautions. Here are a few general guidelines that you should follow at all times.

Wear personal protective equipment.

When you work with wet concrete, you can sustain skin irritation and even burns if you aren’t careful. To reduce the risk of these issues, you should always wear personal protective equipment such as waterproof gloves, a dust mask, goggles and tall boots that cover your ankles.

Lift concrete carefully.

Whether you are removing slabs of old concrete or transporting wet concrete to your work site, be careful to lift properly so that you don’t injure yourself in the process. This means doing the bulk of the lifting with your knees, rather than your back. Our all-wheel-drive buggy can help you transport concrete safely as well.

Avoid exposure to concrete dust.

These paving projects can generate a lot of airborne concrete dust. When tearing up old concrete, you can keep dust to a minimum by wetting the surface before you start sawing or grinding. Be sure to wear your goggles and a dust mask or respirator as well to prevent dust from getting in your eyes, nose and mouth. Once you’re done working, take a shower to remove any residual dust left on your body. Launder your work clothes separately from other items to prevent cross contamination.

Need a hand with your next home improvement project? At Bergen Mobile Concrete, we’d be happy to help. Give us a call today at (201) 797-7550 to get started!

Creative Uses of Concrete

Posted by & filed under Concrete Buggy, Concrete Delivery, Concrete Designs, Concrete Maintenance, Pouring Concrete, Uncategorized.

Concrete is an amazingly useful construction material that can be fabricated into many facades and fixtures. Some of these creations even have practical applications, while others are stunning works of art that belies the usual industrial nature of this material. A quick browse around the Internet can help anyone find interesting ideas for concrete renovations that can add elegance and even color to any space.

Concrete DesigningCreative Concrete Items for Everyday Use

Bookcases, audio speakers and board games are just a few of the examples of innovative concrete designs. Israeli designer Shmuel Linski is responsible for a pair of 123-pound speakers formed entirely out of concrete. These speakers get their acoustic quality from a forced air driver that sends sound through a concrete pipe and out from a horn-shaped opening.

One French concrete company even got the unique idea to fashion business cards composed out of concrete. Murmure’s business cards come with an embossed logo on one side and typed contact information on the other side. The result may not be convenient for wallets, but certainly leaves an impression on anyone.

Concrete for Homeowners

Homeowners can also use concrete as a great canvas for chalks, paints and other applications that can create a vibrant burst of color in a space. Concrete floor tiles can provide superior protection as well as a bright rainbow splash to any room. Concrete can be a lot more than just a simple heavy surface for basements and walls. The application of this construction material can lead any homeowner or business down an exciting new path in aesthetic design.

Bergen Mobile Concrete is always staying aware of exciting new developments in the field of concrete. Follow our blog to find out more about concrete’s growing applications in our sustainable world.

Contact Bergen Mobile Concrete at 201-797-7550 today or visit us online for more information about our concrete pouring services!

Concrete and Corrosion: Why It’s So Resistant to Weather and Erosion

Posted by & filed under Concrete Buggy, Concrete Delivery, Concrete Driveways, Concrete History, Concrete Maintenance, Concrete Patio, Concrete Sidewalk, Concrete Walkway, Pouring Concrete, Uncategorized.

Even the casual onlooker knows how durable concrete is. After all, we have walked past concrete buildings that have lasted years and years – even millennia in the case of some structures from the Roman era. But why is concrete so durable and able to resist even centuries of weather and erosion, and is there anything we can do to help the process?

Resistance to Humidity

One factor that allows concrete to last in humid weather is its lack of organic components. Because there is nothing to rot or decompose, unlike wood and other materials, it is very difficult for moisture to penetrate concrete except through joints between sections. Concrete can also breathe, which means moisture can easily escape, as well, which helps prevent water from causing long-term damage to concrete structures.

Roman Concrete StructureResistance to Cold Water Threats

Cold weather is another one of the biggest threats to concrete as the ice and freezing temperatures wage war on concrete surfaces every time winter rolls around. Concrete in generally warm climates tends to last much better. This is one of the biggest reasons that many Greco-Roman and other ancient structures have lasted in moderate areas where temperatures don’t typically create these cold weather cycles. However, in colder climates, it’s important to use a concrete mixture that can accommodate the freeze and thaw cycles of the winter months.

Resistance to Sulfates and Salts

Concrete is also capable of long-lasting performance in areas where salt or sulfates are a concern. For example, sulfates and salts can react with matter in concrete, especially in locations that experience numerous cycles of wetness and dryness. However, as with ice, using admixtures and low water to cement ratios in the concrete can make it more able to resist this damage. In fact, concrete is often used for concrete in saltwater with great success due to the use of minimally permeable concrete poured with a low-water cement mix.

At Bergen Mobile Concrete, we offer rapid concrete delivery with our mobile concrete mixers that scale concrete mixing to meet your needs. When you use us, you can get the exact amount you need of any kind of concrete mix, whether it is low-water concrete or fast-setting mixes for use in busy areas. We offer delivery options on days, nights and weekends and can work with you to deliver your concrete on your schedule. Schedule a delivery today by calling 201-797-7550.

Concrete Patio Maintenance for the Summer

Posted by & filed under Concrete Buggy, Concrete Delivery, Concrete Patio, Pouring Concrete, Uncategorized.

Homeowners who have a concrete patio on their property know how important proper upkeep is. Not only will it keep your patio looking its best, but it can save you big in the long run. We understand maintaining your property’s patio may not be on the top of your to-do list, but putting an emphasis on your patio’s appearance this summer will go a long way in adding curb appeal and preserving your patio for years to come.

Concrete patio

Repair cracks to your concrete patio

When the summer weather arrives, it means spending more time outdoors on your patio. When you’re enjoying your patio this summer, we suggest inspecting it every so often for cracks. If you notice a crack, call a local concrete company for the concrete that is required for repairs. Make sure to have the cracks fixed as soon as possible, as extreme heat can cause the cracks to get even larger.

Power/pressure wash your concrete patio

Another way to keep your patio looking its best is by power or pressure washing it every summer. Simply spray the concrete to remove dirt buildup and more. For a deep clean, scrub your concrete with a mix of water and liquid dish soap after the power/pressure washing. A final rinse of the concrete after scrubbing will ensure that no soap lingers on your patio.

It’s important to look at the washer’s settings before you begin to spray your patio, as a higher setting may actually cause damage to the concrete.

Properly shade your concrete patio

Once all cracks are fixed and the patio is clean, it’s important that your patio isn’t getting too much sunlight. Too much sun can create cracks once again, as well as discoloration of the concrete. An area rug or umbrella can provide the necessary shade to protect your concrete patio when the temperatures rise.

If you need concrete delivered to your property to fill cracks or are interested in adding a new patio to your property, we ask that you reach out to our experienced team at Bergen Mobile Concrete for all of your metered mobile mixer needs.

With our team, you’ll never worry about ordering too much concrete for your patio project. Simply give us a rough estimate of your concrete needs and we will bring our mobile mixer to your site and create the concrete mix right at your property. This way, you won’t have to pay for concrete you don’t end up using. Learn more about our metered mobile mixers and concrete buggies by calling Bergen Mobile Concrete today at 201-797-7550!

Common Concrete Problems

Posted by & filed under Concrete Buggy, Concrete Delivery, Concrete Driveways, Concrete Maintenance, Concrete Patio, Concrete Sidewalk, Uncategorized.

ConcreteAt Bergen Mobile Concrete, we always make sure to get the job done right in order to ensure your concrete surfaces remain crack-free. However, you may already have existing concrete structures or surfaces in and around your property that appear to be falling apart. But just how and why does concrete sometimes crack? We’re here to go over some of the most common reasons!

Keep in mind that even the highest quality concrete has the potential to crack, and just about any concrete surface will likely show some signs of wear after many years. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can prevent any damage from showing throughout your concrete. But, you may still be wondering why it cracked in the first place. Well, one of the most likely reasons is that it has shrunk and expanded over time due to changes in temperature. If you the concrete is in an area with lots of moisture, you can expect it to expand and shrink even more often, potentially leading to cracks.

While this is not typically planned for, some cracks in concrete are natural and should be expected. For example, concrete driveways typically have control joints. These joints work to create weak spots throughout the concrete, but it is for a good purpose. Without them, when concrete shrinks it would split in random directions across the slab, creating unsightly cracks. With a joint, it will typically only crack in that confined area where the joint is located.

Other causes for cracks in concrete include sun exposure, freezing and thawing throughout the winter, and other environmental conditions. Concrete inside a home or other type of building should have far less cracks than something like a driveway or sidewalk outside.

For more details about concrete cracks and how to prevent them, keep reading our blog!

Understanding Why Concrete Cracks

Posted by & filed under Concrete Driveways, Concrete History, Concrete Maintenance, Concrete Patio, Concrete Sidewalk, Concrete Walkway, Uncategorized.

Understanding Why Concrete Cracks Concrete is one of the most commonly used building materials due to its strength and durability. However, it can be very frustrating to find it starting to crack regardless of how long ago it may have been poured. The fact is there are numerous factors that are involved that can lead to concrete cracks, including soil upheaval and the climate you live in.

When it comes to upheaval, things such as plant roots can cause concrete to crack in multiple places. To avoid this happening, placing steel reinforcement around the area in which the concrete is poured will help keep the roots and soil from affecting it. Another option is choosing not to pour next to mature trees as their roots can extend up to 40 feet.

Now if you live in an area with hot weather, your concrete is more likely to develop shrinkage cracks than if it were in a more moderate climate. The reason is due to heat, as hot and arid conditions – like those sometimes seen during the past few summers – require that more water is used in the initial concrete mixture so it is able to dry properly. However, this excess water can result left over water filling in throughout the concrete, resulting in shrinkage that causes hairline cracks. To fix these cracks, synthetic fibers and sufficient rebar should do the trick.

On the other hand, when there is extreme cold and snow, your concrete can fall victim to freeze-and-thaw cycles that will eventually lead to cracks in the concrete. These can also be remedied with the same items as if the concrete were in heat.

With all of these factors at play, turning to professionals like the team at Bergen Mobile Concrete is your best solution. With more than a quarter century of experience mixing high-quality concrete for the Northern New Jersey area, we can help make sure that you receive the perfect blend of concrete for your project. To learn more or to schedule a delivery, call us today at 201-797-7550!

How to Maximize the Lifespan of Your Concrete Driveway

Posted by & filed under Concrete Buggy, Concrete Delivery, Concrete Driveways, Concrete History, Concrete Maintenance, Pouring Concrete, Uncategorized.

How to Maximize the Lifespan of Your Concrete DrivewayThanks to their exceptional durability, concrete driveways typically last years longer than driveways paved with asphalt. Concrete is also stronger than asphalt, which can be beneficial if you regularly park heavy vehicles or equipment in your driveway.

That said, no paving material is completely impervious to the elements. Over time, excessive wear can cause concrete to crack and spall, spoiling its appearance and reducing the expected longevity of a driveway. The good news is, there are a few simple steps every homeowner can take to make sure their concrete driveways remain in good condition for many years to come.

Apply a Sealcoat

This is perhaps the single most effective thing you can do to protect your driveway from the elements. A sealcoat prevents cracking by protecting the surface of the concrete from moisture penetration. Ideally, concrete driveways should first be sealed a few months after they’re paved, and then resealed at least once every two years.

Make Repairs Early

Sooner or later, you’ll start to notice small cracks forming on the surface of your driveway. By filling these minor cracks with an epoxy injection, you can prevent them from becoming much larger cracks in the future. It’s much easier and more cost-effective to make these minor repairs rather than wait for them to become more serious issues.

Avoid Chemical Treatments

De-icing chemicals make it easier to shovel your driveway in the winter, but they can also accelerate wear on concrete. Instead of using rock salt or other harsh chemicals on your driveway, opt for gentler alternatives like sand, alfalfa meal or cat litter to give you some extra traction in snow and ice.

Invest in Professional Paving

A concrete driveway’s lifespan will depend largely on whether or not it’s properly installed. Concrete paving might look pretty straightforward, but getting the job done right is easier said than done. If you haven’t had much experience working with concrete in the past, it’s typically best to leave driveway paving to the professionals. This way, you can be completely confident in the structural integrity of your new driveway.