Concrete F.A.Q’s
North East Concrete have two decades of experience with supplying concrete. Here are some of our frequently asked questions.
What is Ready Mixed Concrete?
Ready Mixed Concrete is a pre-mixed blend of cement, aggregates, water, and additives. It is manufactured at our concrete plant and delivered to construction sites in a ready-to-use form. The concrete mix is tailored to meet the customer’s specific requirements concerning quantity, type, and stregnth. North East Concrete offers a diverse selection of ready-mix concretes to accommodate varying needs.
What will my price include?
The quoted price covers full loads delivered, inclusive of VAT. Please be mindful of additional expenses that might arise, such as part-load fees and waiting time charges if trucks are detained on site for more than 30 minutes.
Do I need to be aware of the materials I need?
You may not need to know this beforehand. Your builder or building inspector can offer advice in instances of unfavorable ground conditions. Alternatively, our sales or technical department can recommend suitable concrete for your specific needs.
How Do I Calculate the Amount of Concrete I Need?
Our online concrete calculator can help you estimate the quantity of concrete required for your project. Alternatively, you can provide us with project details, and we’ll assist you in determining the right amount.
How will I get the concrete from the truck to where it it needs to go?
This is a crucial aspect to plan for. You’ll need to determine the placement location relative to the road. Truck mixers come equipped with chutes extending 7-8 feet from the center of the truck. North East Concrete does not take any responsibilty for damage caused if the vehicle is asked to leave the roadside. If these chutes aren’t long enough, you may need to transport the concrete using wheelbarrows or hire a specialized concrete pump. As a reference, 1 cubic meter of concrete is roughly equivalent to 25 wheelbarrows. North East Concrete do NOT provide a wheelbarrow service so you must plan for this in advance. Additionally, in terms of manpower, it’s important to note that 1 cubic meter weighs around 2.4 tonnes.
Do I need to be aware of the materials I need?
You may not need to know this beforehand. Your builder or building inspector can offer advice in instances of unfavorable ground conditions. Alternatively, our sales or technical department can recommend suitable concrete for your specific needs.
Can You Provide Coloured or Decorative Concrete?
Yes, we offer coloured and decorative concrete options to enhance the aesthetics of your project. Our experts can guide you through the available choices.
Why Choose Ready Mixed Concrete?
Ready Mixed Concrete offers consistency in quality, saves time on-site, reduces labor costs, and ensures accurate mixing proportions, making it a preferred choice for construction projects.
How Do I Determine the Right Concrete Mix for My Project?
Our experts can help you determine the appropriate concrete mix based on your project’s requirements, including strength, durability, and environmental considerations.
Are there quality standards for concrete?
Yes. North East Concrete is produced to British & European standards; BS EN 206 and BS 8500-2 under a quality management system complying with ISO 9001
What is a slump?
The term “slump” in concrete describes its consistency, indicating how much water it contains. This consistency is categorized from S1 (0-40mm) to S4 (160-220mm). A higher value suggests that the material will be more manageable to work with.
We measure this by the “slump test,” where a cone-shaped mold is filled with concrete, compacted, and then removed. The difference in height between the top of the mold and the displaced concrete after the mold is removed indicates the slump. This measurement helps assess the workability of the concrete mix and its ability to be placed, consolidated, and finished properly. A higher slump indicates a more fluid mix, while a lower slump indicates a stiffer mix.
How big are the trucks and what can they carry?
The size of the delivery mixer will vary based on several factors, such as the ordered quantity, site accessibility, and conditions. We operate 8m2, 6m2 and 4m2 Truck mixers. The sales office will be happy to help if you need any help. Our Sales and Technical Team can advise you on specialist concrete mixes.
What types of concrete does North East Concrete offer?
North East Concrete offers a wide variety of high quality products such as Performance Concrete, Foundation Concrete, High Strength Concrete, Durable Concrete & Pavement Concrete.
Our Sales and Technical Team can advise you on specialist concrete mixes.
How is concrete measured?
Cubic metres. One cubic metre of standard concrete will weigh about 2.2T
How long do I have to place and finish my concrete?
Under typical circumstances, concrete remains workable for approximately 1.5 hours. However, in hotter weather, its workability diminishes more quickly. Ideally, concrete should be placed and fully finished within 1 hour of being discharged from the truck-mixer.
Can I get safety advice prior to delivery?
Yes, a health and saftey data sheet is available on this website. In addition saftey information is also on the delivery ticket. It is important that appropriate personal protection equipment is worn when dealing with wet concrete to avoid it coming into contact with the skin, to avoid cement burns.
Can I cancel my order, for bad weather, as an example
Yes, provided the load has not been dispatched already.
Can North East Concrete give me advice on the correct type of concrete to use?
Yes, as long as there is no structural requirement we can advise you on many types of mixes for most jobs. Give us a call and our Sales and Technical Team will behappy to help.