CHATHAM KENT READY MIX (CKRM)
CHATHAM KENT CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS (CKCP)
DRESDEN READY MIX (DRM)
THE CONCRETE BUZZ Newsletter - Summer 2016
In This Issue: * Hot Weather Concreting * Become Sealer Savvy * To Seal or Restore?
* Hot Weather Safety Tips * Concrete Patios *Events & Happenings
Hot Weather Concreting Plan ahead to avoid problems caused by high temperatures and
dry conditions.
Man, its hot outside! You may be able to handle the heat, but can your concrete?
Concreting during particularly hot and dry weather conditions can potentially cause
problems with the placement and finishing of your concrete slab. High air temperature
especially when combined with low relative humidity and dry winds can affect the
quality of the concrete in a number of ways. The main problems that can arise when
concreting during hot weather is the early loss of water from the concrete and rapid
drying. This leads to early setting, which in turn can lead to strength reduction, crazing
or cracking, shrinkage cracks and finishing difficulties. Generally, and depending on
specific job site conditions, when temperatures rise above 27 degrees C (80F), fast setting, lower strengths, and cracking are
all more likely. But these problems can be avoided by recognizing the causes and taking a few simple precautions to
minimize or avoid hot weather effects altogether.
Some general precautions when hot weather concreting
may include but not be limited to the following practices:
check weather forecasts and try to plan jobs accordingly;
dampen forms, reinforcement & subbase; erect wind
barriers and shade to reduce direct effects of wind & sun-
light; cool concrete ingredients; complete the transport,
placing & finishing of concrete as quickly as is practical;
informed usage of set-retarding admixtures; and begin
moist curing methods as soon as possible after final
finishing is complete.
Note that it is always best to consult with your local ready
mix provider on any potential issues. Our expert and
professional staff at CKRM and DRM are there to help
and provide knowledgeable advise.
“Customers may forget what you said but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.”
With proper planning & execution concrete can be success-
fully placed and finished to produce high quality durable
concrete in even the most extreme hot weather conditions.
To Seal or Restore?
The pursuit of the perfect finish
has often lead homeowners
and contractors alike to apply
sealer to their driveways and
patios too frequently. After
several seasons and several
coats of sealer, the surface
can begin to look fatigued and
dull. The only way to fix the
issue was to strip the layers of
sealer from the surface and
start over, which often was a
laborious task.
To bring your finish back to life
without adding more sealer,
use MAC’s Acrylic Sealer
Restorer. MACRESTORE is a
proprietary blend of solvents
that breaks down your old
finish into a clear glossy coat.
MACRESTORE provides
superior performance over
standalone solvents such
as xylene to re-coalesce
damaged coatings, and will
remain on the surface much
longer enabling it to restore
sealers more effectively.
With the finish looking new
again for the season, it will
weather naturally, reducing the
film thickness without stripping
the area. Once the finish has
worn away, a new coat of
MACSEAL Sealer can be
added for years of service.
Become Sealer Savvy In general, concrete does not need to be sealed to perform well, but the additional
performance and aesthetic benefits of applying a high quality sealer will be well
worth the small added cost of the sealer. Sealers are applied to concrete to act as
a protective layer while safe-guarding the concrete below. Despite its inherent
strength and durability, concrete is a porous material with an absorptive surface.
This makes it susceptible to the intrusion of water, chlorides, oils and other
chemical substances that can cause damage ranging from surface stains and
spalling to internal corrosion of reinforcing steel. By treating concrete with a sealer,
the detrimental effect of intrusive matter can be prevented or at least reduced.
Sealers are also used to enhance the appearance of concrete, highlighting colors &
textures with finishes ranging from matte to high gloss.
Aside from using a high quality sealer, you also need to practice the proper applica-
tion techniques for optimum results and to avoid eyesores such as bubbles, blisters
and lap lines. The most common application problem is applying too much sealer at
once. Sealers are designed to perform best at a specific thickness, depending on
the type of resin and coverage rate for the particular sealer being used. A good
analogy is to compare sealers to a deck of cards … the first and second cards dealt
are close to the surface, hard to pick up and very stable. The more cards you place
on the pile however, the more unstable the pile gets. The same holds true for
sealers … the first and second coats are very stable, have good adhesion and
provide good durability. The more you apply, either in one or multiple applications,
the more unstable the system gets. Another common application mistake is lap
lines, or uneven application. When applying sealer always go back over the
previous pass about 2 inches as you move across the surface. This overlap needs
to occur when the sealer is still wet so the two passes blend and become one. If
the first pass dries, the second creates a lap line and can be seen after the entire
floor is dry.
It is always best to consult a qualified sealer sales expert on the types of sealer
available, application tips, do’s and don'ts, etc. Our knowledgeable sales staff at
CKCP look forward to answering any questions and helping you with all your
concrete sealer needs.
Using a high quality concrete sealer like our MACSEAL products will extend the
life of your concrete and keep it looking great for years to come.
Hot Weather Safety Tips for Construction Workers
Water, Rest, Shade - the work can’t get done
without them Keeping a crew safe
on a jobsite presents
unique challenges
during the hot & hazy
days of summer,
especially under extreme conditions. Heat stress is the
number one cause of fatigue, which can lead to distraction,
inattention to detail, and ultimately potential accidents. The
number one and most obvious rule to keep cool in the heat
of summer is HYDRATE! Water, water, everywhere … and
lots of it (avoid soda pop and energy drinks). Other practical
tips include: dress to stay cool; if possible work in shade;
use sunscreen; eat light & avoid junk foods; stay in good
shape and be well rested; avoid going in & out of air
conditioned places; cover your head and try keeping your
head & neck areas cool; be aware of and alert for signs of
heat stress; and keep an eye on fellow workers.
“CHILL-ITS” Evaporative Cooling Bandana Soak ’em, Put ‘em on, Cool Down!
Available at CKCP
Concrete Patios
Concrete patios can add value and beauty to any outdoor living space. According to recent industry surveys, poured
concrete has become one of the most popular and commonly used outdoor living surface materials in home construction.
Some of the benefits of choosing a concrete patio are high durability, low maintenance, versatility in terms of style, design &
decorative options, and the ability to form in any shape to accommodate yard space limitations and restrictions.
In addition to serving as a gathering zone for relaxing and entertaining, concrete patios allow homeowners to seamlessly
blend interior and exterior living spaces. They are the
perfect decorative flooring surface for outdoor kitch-
ens & living rooms complete with cozy seating areas,
fireplaces and water features. What’s more, this out-
door floor offers unlimited design options. When
enhanced by stains and integral colours, concrete
patios can be colour coordinated to match a home’s
exterior landscape. They can also be stamped or en-
graved in patterns that mimic other popular materials
such as brick, flagstone, slate and tile.
Upgrading your backyard with a decorative concrete
patio is also an investment that will provide many
years of enjoyment while improving the look of your
landscape. Concrete is easy to maintain and can
stand up to the harshest of weather conditions. Un-
like paving stones, you won’t have joints between
units where grass and weeds can sprout. The concrete patio has gained great popularity as an essential
element in today’s backyard.
Events & Happenings Our companies were vendor participants in the CK
Farm Show this past January and the CK Home &
Garden Show in April. Attendance was excellent and
it was great seeing and speaking with both familiar
and new faces at the events.
CKCP recently hosted a Euclid company & product
education session, as well as a Hilti tool product’s
demonstration day. Thank you to everyone who
came out to these very educational and informative
events … and hope you were able to enjoy the pizza
and burgers! Stay tuned to other such events we
plan on hosting in the future.
Timber Mart is again
running it’s annual ATV
Give-A-Way contest
from May 4/16 to June
26/16. Four Polaris
Sportsman 570 SP’s to
be won across Canada.
Come visit our store to
fill out an entry ballot.
No purchase necessary.
Contact Us
Chatham Kent Ready Mix 28 McGregor Place Chatham, ON N7M 5J4 Ph: 519-352-7660 Fax: 519-352-7731 Email: [email protected] www.chathamkentreadymix.ca
Chatham Kent Construction Products/Timber Mart 257 Colborne Street Chatham, ON N7M 3M3 Ph: 519-351-5125 Fax: 519-351-2750 Email: [email protected] www.chathamkentconstructionproducts.com
Dresden Ready Mix Box 760 1225 Wellington St. Ext. Dresden, ON N0P 1M0 Ph: 519-683-6266 Fax: 519-683-6605 Email: [email protected]
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joke?
Oh never
mind, I’m still
working on it.
Heartland Timber
Homes (HTH)
CKCP has spruced up our model timber home display and relocated it to the front of our building for easier public viewing & examination. HTH are the most affordable timber frame homes on the market, and are about 30% less expensive than a traditional round log home. Custom manu-factured and easy to construct “adult Lego” style building kits are available in a variety of standard plans, or you can custom design and build. Stop by our store and learn more about what could be your next dream home!