FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I figure out how much concrete I need to order?
A: When ordering concrete for your project, you’ll be confident that your quantity estimates are accurate when you use our concrete calculator. The calculator will estimate quantities in cubic yards for rectangle areas. To operate the calculator, enter your information in the link above. In order to account for variances due to sub-grade depth, 10% is added to the second estimate given to you.
Q: When should I place my order?
A: Our customer service staff welcomes the opportunity to meet your service and quality expectations and will always try to work with whatever notice is given. As soon as you start making plans for your next pour, give us a call so that we can also start making plans.
Q: What types of concrete mixes do you offer?
A: Crider & Shockey can produce and supply all residential work from footings, wall foundations, slabs and decorative concrete mixes to commercial projects with low water/cement ratios and lightweight concrete mixes to VDOT state approved mixes. Let our Sales/Dispatch staff know what kind of pour you need to make today!
Q: Why is concrete a better product choice than asphalt for my driveway?
A: A properly placed concrete driveway increases your property value, increases the brightness of your driveway, is cooler in the summer months and has a longer life value than asphalt. For the best start to a great driveway, ask our dispatch about DuraDrive or DuraDrivePlus.
Q: What are fibers?
A: Fibers are typically miniature polypropylene strands that are mixed into the concrete. These polypropylene “fibers” aid in the reduction of small surface cracks and serve as a secondary reinforcement in the concrete.
Q: What information do I give the Customer Service/Dispatch department when ordering concrete?
A: It is important to tell us who, what, where, when, how much and how you will place it. When placing your order, please give your personal information/billing address/credit card for billing, what type of pour and types of mixes you will need, a physical address for the location of the project with clear directions, the date and preferred start time, the volume and truck spacing needed and how you plan to unload the concrete trucks (ie: dump from tailgate, wheel barrel or pump).
Q: What is the minimum and maximum order that I can order?
A: With a fleet of over 80 trucks, a computerized central dispatch office, and ten ready mix plants in the Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia and Piedmont areas of Virginia, Crider & Shockey can meet your delivery expectations from a 1 cubic yard homeowner project to a 1,000+ cy. industrial pour.
Q: What does the term slump mean?
A: Slump refers to the consistency of fresh concrete. Slump is measured in inches and indicates the wettness or stiffness of a particular mix. Additional water added to the concrete will increase the slump of the concrete and decrease its overall strength. For applications requiring a higher slump mix, please ask our sales staff about using a mid range or high range water reducer that will increase the slump without decreasing the concrete’s strength.
Q: How do you cure a concrete slab?
A: A concrete slab should be kept moist for up to seven days. Concrete that is not kept moist may dry out and reduce the ultimate strength of the concrete. To properly cure your concrete slab, apply a quality concrete curing compound at its recommended coverage rate directly onto your slab. You may also use polyethylene or wet burlap to cover your slab.
Q: Can I finish the concrete myself?
A: Most concrete projects will likely require a qualified concrete subcontractor to properly perform the work. Our sales/dispatch personnel will be glad to refer a contractor for your specific project. If you do decide to place the concrete yourself, please remember that concrete is perishable and must be placed in a timely manner before it becomes unworkable.
Q: Why does concrete crack?
A: As concrete begins to harden, a chemical reaction called hydration occurs, in which, the cement reacts with the water in the ready mix concrete to form a paste. The concrete will begin to shrink as it hardens. The shrinkage is caused by the loss of the excess water in the mix. Therefore, the wetter the mix is, the greater the shrinkage rate will be. There are many different types of cracks that can appear in concrete and several preventative measures that should always be observed. Please refer to our “ Concrete in Practice “ section for further information.
Q: When placing concrete, what safety concerns should I have?
A: Freshly mixed (wet) concrete with Portland cement is highly alkaline and may cause skin irritation, chemical burns and eye damage. Protective gloves, safety glasses and waterproof boots should be worn when finishing or pouring fresh concrete. If your eyes are contaminated with the concrete, immediately flush your eyes with clean water. Then seek further medical attention if needed.
Q: Are cement and concrete the same thing?
A: No. Cement is a fine gray powder that is one of the ingredients in concrete. When combined with water, sand, and stone it forms a rocklike mass known as concrete. Cement is the essential binding agent that provides the required strength in concrete.