Finding Reliable Concrete Contractors San Jose

| Saturday, September 7, 2013
By Helene Norris


This durable building material is used by the concrete contractors San Jose to pour patios, driveways, porches and stairs. Its endurance over time is proven by the buildings that stand today that were constructed long ago when the Roman Empire was in power.

After that era, it was not often used until the eighteenth century. It became popular again during that time. It was originally applied in layers and is now combined with water and rendered into a liquid. It is poured into forms to build bridges and highways.

Some people confuse the words concrete and cement. Concrete is a composite containing cement, along with coarse gravel, small pebbles or other aggregates and small amounts of sand. The mix is composed of different amounts of the materials used depending on the required strength of the planned structure.

It was used to build the Panama Canal, the Hoover Dam and the Roman Coliseum. It can be used to erect buildings, foundations, pavements, bridges, highways, parking garages, runways at airports and an endless number of other things.

It has many decorative uses as well as practical ones. Color can be included in the mix for driveways and walks. Stamping can make it look like brick and staining gives it a unique and elegant look. If it is polished, it will resemble the mirror finish of marble. Statues and fountains can also be built with this versatile material.

Joseph Aspdin created the mixture generally called Portland cement in 1824. He patented the mix. Joseph Monier invented reinforced concrete in 1849. It contained blood, which enabled it to resist damage from frost.

Just as the ingredients in a chocolate cake vary from those in a fudge cake, different proportions of cement, aggregate, sand and water are used to make the mix for different building projects. Possible aggregates are gravel, crushed limestone or pebbles. A minimal amount of sand is added.

Water is added to the other components and they are mixed. Prior to pouring the mixture, rebar or steel is position in the forms as needed. The wooden forms hold the mixture in place as it dries and are later removed. Weight bearing structures such as bridges, skyscrapers and highway overpasses need this extra reinforcement.

As the water is added to the other components, chemicals are sometimes added to either slow the rate of hardening or speed it up. Contractors with experience have the ability to judge which is appropriate when constructing a specific project.

In San Jose, the expanding and contracting that occurs in cold climates is not a necessary consideration. However, saw cuts are routinely made to allow for some changes over time. If a pour is done and it rains unexpectedly, the area must be covered to protect it as it hardens, which is also called curing.

Concrete contractors San Jose will lend their expertise to your project. Whether a new patio or porch and stairs, a homeowner will have a lasting home improvement. He or she may have a matching patio and fire pit, along with a backyard fountain. This versatile material will create a purely practical or a unique and beautiful addition to your property.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment