RLW: The Mixer Minute

  Concrete 101: Coloring, Staining & Decorative Finishes Concrete doesn’t have to be plain gray. With the right techniques, it can be colorful, stylish, and even look like stone, brick, or wood. That’s where coloring, staining, and decorative finishes come into play. Ways to Add Color & Style Integral Color: Pigment is mixed directly into the concrete before it’s poured, giving it consistent color throughout. Stains: Acid- or water-based stains are applied to hardened concrete to create rich tones and natural-looking variations. Stamped Concrete: Fresh concrete is imprinted with patterns to mimic stone, tile, brick, or even wood grain. Exposed Aggregate: Surface paste is removed to reveal the natural stone or gravel inside the mix. Overlays & Sealers: Thin layers and protective coatings can refresh old surfaces and add sheen or texture. Why It’s Popular Decorative finishes give homeowners and businesses a way to personalize their space. From p...

  Sunday Slab Talk: Concrete Across America Concrete might look the same everywhere, but how it’s used and appreciated can change depending on where you are in the country. From highways to patios, every region has its own concrete story. The Northeast Cold winters mean freeze-thaw durability is king. Driveways and sidewalks need air-entrained mixes and sealers to survive snow, salt, and ice. Basements are common, so strong, watertight foundations are a must. The South Heat and humidity shape the work here. Crews often pour in the early morning to beat the sun, and decorative stamped patios and pool decks are especially popular. The Midwest Known as “America’s Heartland,” the Midwest loves concrete for both its practicality and resilience. Agricultural slabs, barns, and silo bases are everyday work, along with long stretches of concrete highway. The West Out west, you’ll find concrete in massive infrastructure projects like dams, bridges, and tunnels. Decorative concrete...

  Concrete 101: Shrinkage & How to Mitigate It Concrete may look solid, but as it cures and dries, it actually changes shape slightly. This process is called shrinkage — and if not managed correctly, it can lead to cracking. Types of Shrinkage Drying Shrinkage: Happens as moisture leaves the concrete over time. Autogenous Shrinkage: Occurs in low water-to-cement mixes as the cement particles consume water during hydration. Plastic Shrinkage: Early cracking that can occur while the concrete is still fresh, especially in hot or windy weather. Ways to Reduce Shrinkage Proper Curing: Keeping the concrete moist (with curing compounds, water spray, or coverings) helps reduce early shrinkage. Control Joints: Planned cuts in the slab that allow cracks to form in controlled, less noticeable spots. Balanced Mix Design: Using the right water-to-cement ratio and sometimes adding shrinkage-reducing admixtures. Fibers: Tiny reinforcements that help hold the ...

  Sunday Slab Talk: Why We Love the First Pour of the Season There’s something special about that first pour after winter. The air’s still chilly, the ground’s waking up, and the crew is ready to shake the dust off and get back at it. The Smell of Fresh Mud Nothing beats the smell of a fresh load of concrete tumbling out of the truck for the first time in months. It’s the sign that busy season is back. The Crew Energy Everyone’s itching to work again. Boots hit the ground early, jokes fly around the site, and there’s a buzz of excitement knowing a new season of projects has begun. The Homeowner Joy For homeowners, the first pour of the season might be a new driveway, patio, or foundation. It’s more than just concrete — it’s the start of summer barbecues, backyard projects, and fresh beginnings. Why It Matters The first pour sets the tone for the whole season. It’s a reminder that concrete isn’t just about gray slabs — it’s about momentum, teamwork, and the promise of what’...

  Concrete 101: Permeable & Porous Concrete Concrete is known for being strong and solid — but what if it could also breathe ? That’s the idea behind permeable (or porous) concrete , a special type of mix designed to let water pass through instead of running off. What Makes It Different? Unlike standard concrete, permeable concrete has little or no fine sand in the mix. This creates tiny gaps between the aggregate, forming pathways for water to flow through. The result: rainwater drains straight into the ground instead of pooling on top. Where It’s Used Driveways & Parking Lots – Helps reduce puddles and standing water. Sidewalks & Pathways – Keeps surfaces safer by minimizing slick spots. Stormwater Management Projects – Cities often use it to reduce flooding and protect waterways. Why It Matters Permeable concrete is an eco-friendly option that helps manage stormwater, recharge groundwater, and cut down on drainage problems. It’s a win-wi...

  Sunday Slab Talk: The Tools We Couldn’t Live Without Behind every smooth slab and sturdy driveway is a set of tools that make it all possible. Some are simple, some are specialized, but all of them are part of the everyday rhythm of concrete work. The Bull Float That long-handled tool gliding across fresh mud? That’s the bull float. It levels and smooths the surface before finishing — a must-have on every pour. The Trowel From hand trowels to power trowels, this tool gives concrete its final finish. It’s where skill meets artistry, and a good finisher can make all the difference. The Screed Whether it’s a straight 2x4 or a vibrating screed, this tool sets the slab to the right grade. Without it, nothing else goes right. The Mixer Truck Not exactly a hand tool, but let’s be honest — the job doesn’t happen without the truck. It’s the heart of the operation, delivering the perfect mix to the site. The Tape Measure & Chalk Line Simple, everyday tools, but vital for lay...

  Concrete 101: High-Strength & Ultra-High Performance Concrete Not all concrete is created equal. While most everyday pours use standard mixes for driveways, sidewalks, and foundations, there are special situations where high-strength concrete (HSC) or even ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is the go-to choice. What is High-Strength Concrete? Regular concrete has a compressive strength of about 3,000–5,000 psi. High-strength concrete pushes past 6,000 psi, and some mixes even reach 10,000+ psi. It’s often used in high-rise buildings, parking decks, and heavy-load industrial floors. What is Ultra-High Performance Concrete? UHPC takes things to another level, with compressive strengths over 20,000 psi. It contains fine powders (like silica fume), fibers, and special admixtures that make it denser and more durable. UHPC is used in bridges, thin architectural panels, and places where extreme strength and longevity are critical. Why it Matters High...

  Sunday Slab Talk: When Concrete Goes Wrong Concrete is tough, but like any building material, it isn’t perfect. Sometimes things just don’t go according to plan — and the results can be frustrating, funny, or a little bit of both. Cracks That Sneak In Even with the best mix and careful curing, cracks can appear. Temperature swings, shrinkage, or heavy loads can all leave their mark. That’s why joints and reinforcement are so important. The “Wrong Mix” Moments Ever seen a slab that set up too fast or stayed soupy too long? A mix that’s off by just a little can throw an entire pour off track. Timing and communication with the plant are everything. Weather Woes Rain in the middle of a pour. A sudden heat wave. A cold snap overnight. Weather can make or break a job — and sometimes all you can do is laugh (and grab the plastic sheeting). Finish Fails From broom lines that drag to surfaces that scale or spall, a bad finish shows up quick. The good news? Crews learn fast — ever...

  Concrete 101: Understanding Admixtures & Additives When most people think of concrete, they picture the basic mix — cement, water, sand, and gravel. But did you know that what goes into a mix can be adjusted depending on the job? That’s where admixtures and additives come in. These are ingredients added in small amounts that change how concrete behaves. A few common ones include: Plasticizers (Water Reducers): Make the mix easier to work with without adding extra water. Great for tight rebar work or decorative pours. Accelerators: Speed up set time — handy for cold weather pours. Retarders: Slow down set time, giving crews more working time in hot weather. Air-Entraining Agents: Add tiny air bubbles that protect against freeze-thaw damage. Perfect for driveways and sidewalks in cold climates. Fibers: Tiny reinforcements that help reduce cracking and add durability. Why it matters: Admixtures help tailor the concrete to the job’s specific needs, sa...