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: rick@ckrmi.com 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: john@ckcpi.com 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: dan@dresdenrml.com

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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!