No modern construction job seems to be complete without pouring some concrete onto the work site to make everything solid and secure. Despite how old concrete technology is, and recent developments in construction projects such as solar panels and earthquake-resistant foundations, concrete continues to have a prominent role in nearly any structure, office building, or industrial area. Finding the right concrete companies for the job can make all the difference in any project manager’s work. Concrete contractors are available fr and wide, and concrete materials can be quality or shoddy. Commercial concrete work will need the best staff and materials to get the job done.
The Business and Science of Concrete
Concrete is often taken for granted in today’s world, being humble but omnipresent in today’s infrastructures, and concrete companies have plenty of work to take care of. In fact, the oldest known concrete was created around 500 BC, showing that ever since antiquity, this material was essential for any proper structure. In essence, concrete is primitive and simple, even today. It consists of cement (often mixed with water), and the aggregates, which are typically sand, gravel, and crushed stone. When concrete is poured, a process called hydration allows the cement and water to harden over time and bind the aggregates together, forming a rock-like material. Aging is good for concrete; the hydration hardening process can last for years, making concrete stronger, not weaker, over time. It is little wonder that concrete is the most widely used man made material in the entire world.
Concrete companies have a lot of work on their hands. In the United States alone, this industry employs some two million workers, and it is worth $37 billion. And in 2017 alone, the United States was able to produce 2.4 million tons of masonry cement and 83.5 million tons of portland cement alone, and in years with a lot of construction projects underway, this total might climb even higher. With all this concrete ready for work, project managers and construction crews can call upon concrete companies to finish their projects.
Getting Concrete Companies on Board
According to Small Biz Ahead, construction crews have many routs to take so they can get contractors on board for their project. Craigslist, for example, is highly popular for job searches, and placing an ad there can be a powerful component of an advertising campaign. Job fairs are another avenue to explore, and specialized job boards can easily connect small businesses with construction contractors. These boards attract relatively little traffic, but they are specialized, ensuring that the right people are searching for the right thing. More options include online search engines using the right keywords, as well as making use of a temp staffing agency.
Once concrete companies are brought on board for projects, they have a clear process to follow, according to E Sub. Site prep is the first step for a concrete contractor to take, such as excavation and backfilling work. The land is cleared and leveled off, and shrubs and rocks are eliminated. A flat, even ground is ideal for bearing the weight of concrete and the building, while uneven ground may cause stress and the structure may buckle. Formwork is next, when wooden, metal, or plastic devices define the boundaries where the concrete will be poured, since concrete can fill nearly any shape. The actual placement, or pouring, of the concrete comes next, when the material is applied to the construction area. Crew members can also use shovels and rakes to help spread the concrete to every bit of the intended area and keep it smooth, and during this step, sensible concrete safety should be observed. After the concrete is poured, the finishing work is done, such as smoothing the concrete to prevent air pockets from forming.
Throughout the construction process, concrete companies can keep the clients updated. The foreman can send photos of the site daily to the client and report on the progress, as well as material usage and report any problems or complications that arise. All this work and more can also be handled electronically, allowing concrete companies to create digital logs and backup files of the progress reports in case they are needed.