Water/Cement Ratio

Water / Cement Ratio is important to monitor when placing concrete. The addition of 1 gallon of water per cubic yard of concrete will increase the slump approximately 1 inch while reducing the overall strength and durability of the concrete.

Evaporation Calculator

Placing concrete on low humidity days with or without the addition of dry winds may cause cracking referred to as Plastic Shrinkage Cracking and may also cause other adverse finishing issues. A program is available to calculate the evaporation rate during these conditions so that you may take precautions to limit evaporation from the surface of your concrete project. You may contact Gerhold Concrete Company for a copy of this calculator, and for information associated with Plastic Shrinkage Cracking.

Evaporation Retardants

Using evaporation retardants help prevent cracking and finishing issues that may occur on low humidity days with or without the addition of dry winds and high temperatures. Care should be taken to protect plastic concrete from evaporation during the finishing process to avoid plastic shrinkage cracking. You may contact Gerhold Concrete Company for information related to the proper application of Evaporation Retardants.

Valued Added Products - Evaporation Retardants

Cold Weather Concreting

If precautions are not taken while placing concrete in cold weather conditions, frozen concrete, finishing issues, and poor long term durability of the concrete may result. Please consult your local Gerhold Concrete Company representative for mix designs and ideas related to proper cold weather concreting practices.

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Hot Weather Concreting

If proper precautions are not taken placing concrete in hot weather conditions may result in quicker set times and can therefore require more rapid finishing. Increased evaporation may also result in surface cracking and many other finishing issues related to high temperatures. Please consult your local Gerhold Concrete Company representative for mix designs and ideas related to proper hot weather concreting practices.

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Cure/Sealers Importance

Proper curing of the concrete after the finishing process is critical to prevent plastic shrinkage cracking and to ensure surface durability. Proper sealing is important to protect your long term investment from weathering, de-icers, and oils from vehicles.