Concrete projects are a major investment and just like any other major investment in life, you want to take proper care of it to maximize its appearance, performance, and longevity. When it comes to Ready Mix concrete, concrete tools, and building materials Mt Vernon Ohio should be your first stop; or more precisely, Ellis Brothers Inc. We’ve got the highest quality products, tools, and attention to detail, and we’re confident that you’ll walk away a happy customer. Get all your Mt Vernon Ohio concrete supplies from Ellis Bros – proudly concreting Ohio since 1946.
Using Rebar to Reinforce Concrete
While concrete is strong on its own, it can be made stronger by reinforcing it. Concrete is great at resisting compression, but weak at resisting tension. Fortunately, we know how to strengthen concrete and that’s by using rebar, short for reinforcing bar. Rebar’s major strength just so happens to be concrete’s greatest caveat: tension. Combine the two and you’ve got a super strong result. The building materials Mt Vernon Ohio offers play an integral role in the quality of your finished product.
When More Isn’t Enough
Concrete moves more than you would think – it shrinks when it’s hot, expands when it’s cold, ebbs and flows under traffic – and all this movement causes tension and compression within the concrete structure. When there is tension on the structure, the rebar provides the strength, and when there is compression, the concrete provides the strength. However, there is a way to make concrete even stronger. It’s called prestressing. Prestressing is where tension is put on the rebar, the concrete is poured in place, and then the tension is removed. As the rebar shrinks back down to size, it compresses the concrete even more, making it much denser and more solid (aka stronger).
Controlling Concrete Cracks
One thing to know about concrete is that all concrete cracks; whether you see it or not is another matter. The building materials Mt Vernon Ohio provides can do things the average person might not think possible, such as control where concrete cracks. Yes, you read that right. It is possible to control where concrete will crack if specific concrete tools are used properly. Using tools such as expansion joints can help ensure that the concrete cracks remain under the surface or along joints made specifically to maintain cracks.
Sealing Your Concrete
Another important item in the building materials Mt Vernon Ohio offers is concrete sealant. After you’ve invested all this time and money into have the concrete poured, the most important step is to seal it. This is what will allow it to last for years to come and look nice in the process. Sealers can both enhance and protect your concrete depending on which kind you get and what your needs are. If you’re not sure which kind you need or have other questions, you can read the top 10 sealer questions or give us a call and we’ll gladly help you.
When you need affordable, high quality building materials Mt Vernon Ohio is the place to go. Ellis Brothers stands behind our commitment to quality products and customer satisfaction. Stop by or give us a call today.