Do It Yourself – Ready Mix
Building a garage? Patio? Want to replace that old driveway with something that will add value to your home and will be durable in Michigan’s environment? Concrete is the answer! We have a state-of-the-art ready-mix order and delivery system that will get the concrete you order to you quickly and efficiently.
When working with concrete, here is some important information to review before you tackle your project.
· Placing concrete is physically demanding. A wheelbarrow of concrete can easily weigh over 500 lbs. A small project usually requires more than one person, while larger projects require several helpers equipped with adequate tools listed below.
· Concrete is perishable and you will only have up to 45 minutes to unload. This is a great reason to have preparation complete and lots of help standing by when the truck arrives.
· Concrete can be caustic to skin and eyes and will cause burns. Always use rubber boots, rubber gloves, and eye protection when placing concrete. If you do come in contact with concrete, wash immediately with soap and water. Do not continue working with concrete saturated boots or clothing.
Have tools and supplies lined up and ready. Many tools are available for rent at equipment rental stores.
· Square end shovels
· Wheelbarrows (a strong contractor type with well aired tire)
· Concrete rakes “Kum-a-longs”
· Screed board (long enough to span the forms, used to level the concrete)
· Magnesium floats
· Bull float with handles
· Concrete edger
· Concrete groover that is deep enough to groove ¼ of the thickness of your slab
· Concrete finish broom
· Form boards, stakes, nails and sledge hammer
· Re-bar or mesh (Fibers, delivered in the concrete truck are available in addition)
· Cure and Seal (can usually be delivered with your concrete order)
· Safety Equipment
· PPE
· Concrete boots
· Gloves and Safety Glasses
Here are some tips when ordering concrete for your project. Please use our concrete ordering table to help you determine how much concrete you will need.
*IMPORTANT NOTES*
ALWAYS order extra to allow for variances in the depth of your project area. We strongly suggest you order an extra 10% to make sure you have enough. Running short on a project is ALWAYS more expensive than having a little bit left over when you are done.
We advising proper curing and sealing of concrete. Please refer to the NRMCA document on proper curing of concrete listed on this page.
Here is some information to know before the concrete truck shows up to your project site.
- A ready-mix truck is large and very heavy! Upon arrival, our drivers will ask you to sign our delivery ticket which contains the conditions that apply to deliveries. In short, you accept liability for any damage to your property and our equipment, including wrecker charges, once we leave the road and enter the jobsite. Make sure there is adequate travel room and height clearance for our trucks. Please identify and stake out dry wells, septic tanks, and other underground utilities.
- You need to provide a location for the driver to wash down the chutes and tools after the pour. This will likely leave a pile of concrete residue (any that is left in the chutes) and wash water that cannot be left in a road right-of-way.
We advise the use of a cure and seal type product for your project after the concrete is finished. These products allow moisture to more slowly evaporate enhancing the curing process while leaving a clear film on the surface to act as a sealer. Please review the Euclid Diamond Clear Technical Data Sheet for proper coverage and installation instructions. Please follow all manufacturing guidelines when using this or any type of concrete sealer for your project.