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If you need more than one yard, or you want air entrainment in the mix, have the concrete delivered by a ready-mix company. The following are things to specify when ordering:
Ordering Ready-Mix Concrete
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Cement content. Calculate the number of sacks of cement you will need in each cubic yard.
Aggregate size. For most jobs 3/4-inch aggregate is suitable, but if you are having the concrete pumped by a small cement truck that only has a 3-inch hose, you will need to specify 3/8-inch aggregate.
Water/Cement ratio. Specify .5 or .55. Slump. This term is used to describe the consistency of fresh concrete. It refers to
Aggregate size. For most jobs 3/4-inch aggregate is suitable, but if you are having the concrete pumped by a small cement truck that only has a 3-inch hose, you will need to specify 3/8-inch aggregate.
Water/Cement ratio. Specify .5 or .55. Slump. This term is used to describe the consistency of fresh concrete. It refers to
the number of inches a 12-inch-high tower of concrete slumps when it is fresh. A 1-inch slump is very stiff mix, a 10-inch slump very soupy. For residential projects, 4 inches is average.
Air entrainment. No air entrainment for foundations and footings. Air entrainment is used for outdoor concrete in climates where freezing and thawing or deicing salts would otherwise cause surface deterioration. 6% to 7% of entrainment agents are added to the total mix.
Strength. You may be asked to specify the strength or load-bearing capacity of your concrete. Most residential needs vary from a minimum strength of 2,000 pounds
Air entrainment. No air entrainment for foundations and footings. Air entrainment is used for outdoor concrete in climates where freezing and thawing or deicing salts would otherwise cause surface deterioration. 6% to 7% of entrainment agents are added to the total mix.
Strength. You may be asked to specify the strength or load-bearing capacity of your concrete. Most residential needs vary from a minimum strength of 2,000 pounds
per square inch (psi) to over 4,000 psi. Be aware that the proper handling and curing of the concrete, not just the correct proportions, are needed to attain the specified strength.
In addition to the per-yard delivery charge, be aware of other fees you may have to pay. A short load charge is an additional fee for small orders (generally less than 4 yards). A stand by charge is also customary. This is for additional time the truck must remain at your site after the allotted per-yard time limit expires (usually about 5 minutes per yard). The amount can skyrocket if you are not prepared when the truck arrives.
In addition to the per-yard delivery charge, be aware of other fees you may have to pay. A short load charge is an additional fee for small orders (generally less than 4 yards). A stand by charge is also customary. This is for additional time the truck must remain at your site after the allotted per-yard time limit expires (usually about 5 minutes per yard). The amount can skyrocket if you are not prepared when the truck arrives.
If the truck cannot get close to your forms (for instance, a patio in a backyard), arrange for a pump truck to arrive shortly before the concrete. Rent one from the ready-mix companies or an independent pumping company. Even if you think the concrete truck might reach your forms by backing into the driveway, it is better to have the concrete pumped than to take a chance on having to pay for a broken sidewalk.
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related video: ordering ready mix concrete
How to order ready mix concrete.
