Paving and Concreting

ABOUT BAGS OF CEMENT USED IN LANDSCAPING

Difference between Cement, Concrete and Mortar: CEMENT: Fine grey powder. CONCRETE: Mixture of cement, sand, gravel and water. MORTAR: Mixture of cement, sand and water. HYDRATION: When cement is mixed with water a chemical reaction occurs which causes the cement paste to act as a glue and harden, thus binding particles together....

ALL ABOUT CONCRETE IN LANDSCAPING

Concrete is a mixture of four components: Gravel, sand, cement powder, water. Reinforced concrete merely has the addition of steel rods or mesh to assist in strength. Uses of concrete: As a foundation footings for walls, piers, fences, houses, posts, outdoor structures, retaining walls. As a base: Slabs under buildings and structures. As a pavement...

ALL ABOUT PAVING

The first step in paving should always be to establish the needs and uses of the designated area by consulting with the client. Hard paving is for heavier traffic areas e.g. driveways, footpaths, patios, or any surface that requires a solid, stable and durable platform. Soft paving areas are for low traffic areas eg walkways through garden beds or...

COLOURING CONCRETE

Concrete can be coloured by adding oxides into the mix. For example: Blue: cobalt oxide, brown: brown oxide of iron, green: chromium oxide, red: red oxide of iron, grey: black iron oxide. Colour and texture changes can be done by adding different coloured sands, adding pebbles, stones or rocks, glass particles, washing off top cement layer to expo...

CONCRETE AFTER CARE

All new concrete must be kept damp for at least 72 hours (even longer if it is very hot) to prevent drying out and cracking. Moisture loss can be prevented by: Covering the concrete in plastic. hosing every day. By spreading sand, straw or hessian sacks and keeping them wet. Always remember that the moisture determines the hardness and strength o...

CONCRETE COLOUR AND TEXTURE

3 methods of colouring: Integral colour - pigment is added to concrete when mixing, extends throughout concrete. Dry shake - powder pigment is sprinkled onto surface and trowelled in. Paint or stain - painted on after concrete has hardened. Oxides or pigments can be used in powder or liquid form e.g. brown oxide, red oxide, black oxide....

CONCRETE CRACKING, EXPANSION AND CURING

Concrete cracks usually occur due to contraction and expansion in the slab with changes in moisture and temperature as well as incorrect design and construction practices. Joints in concrete control the effects of expansion and contraction to prevent cracking: Expansion joints are filled with a bituminous or cork material and are placed between 6m...

CONCRETE HANDTOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Concrete tools required: Metal float gives a smooth finish. Edging tool gives a rounded smooth edge. Wooden float gives a rough textured finish. Tape measure used for measuring out the area to be concreted. Wheelbarrow for transporting cement, aggregate or mixed concrete (builders model is best). Pliers used to cut and twist wires on reinforcing s...

CONCRETE INFORMATION FOR LANDSCAPING

The quality of concrete is dependent on the standard of workmanship and the quality of materials used. Mixture of sand, gravel (sand, gravel = concrete blend), cement and water general purpose mix 5 : 1. 5 concrete blend, 1 cement. Concrete can be used as 1. In-situ formed on site 2. Pre-cast formed in the factory. Strengthening time: Load beari...

CONCRETE LAYING AND HANDTOOLS REQUIRED

Handtools and equipment: Metal float gives a smooth finish. Edging tool gives a rounded smooth edge. Wooden float gives a rough textured finish. Tape measure used for measuring out the area to be concreted. Wheelbarrow for transporting cement, aggregate or mixed concrete (builders model is best). Pliers used to cut and twist wires on reinforcing s...

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