Water Vs Concrete
Water Vs Concrete
Water is an integral part of the concrete mix and controls many fresh and hardened properties including workability, compressive strength, permeability and durability. It also affects drying shrinkage and potential cracking. For these reasons it is important to limit and control the amount of water used during concrete construction. The amount of water added to the concrete is determined by the concrete mixture and slump requirements. Adding too much water to concrete reduces its strength and shortens its service life. It is also difficult to work with and increases labor costs.
The concrete industry has developed and maintains a number of guidelines for the proper use of water in concrete construction. These guidelines are based on research and field testing. The objective is to provide the best possible finished product while minimizing costs and environmental impact.
Concrete mixes have a specific water to cement ratio required for the chemical reaction that creates the concrete’s strength. This process is known as hydration and takes place in the cement, coarse aggregate and admixtures. The proper use of water helps ensure that all these reactions take place correctly.
During the curing process concrete needs to remain wet, but it must not be allowed to run off or evaporate too rapidly. This slows down the chemical reactions that give the concrete its strength and makes the concrete weaker. This is why concrete must be covered or sprayed with water to prevent it from becoming dry too quickly.
When water seeps into a concrete foundation it creates a problem because the concrete will become soft and crumble away. This causes the foundation to swell and shift and can lead to cracking of the home’s structure. This is particularly a problem when it comes to homes built on expansive soils like clay.
Standing water in a concrete foundation can also cause problems because the water will fill in any pores it can find, which can lead to mold and other health issues for the home’s inhabitants.
The best way to determine if concrete is wet is to visually inspect it. If the surface is shiny or has a sheen it is most likely wet. It can also be tested by packing a small sample of the wet concrete into a bucket, tipping it over like when making sand castles on the beach, and measuring how high it slumps. The ideal slump for the concrete is between 3 and 5 inches.
The main thing to remember when dealing with water damage is that the damaged concrete must be repaired. This could include a new foundation or a repair of the existing one. If the damage is serious, a professional should be called to evaluate the situation and suggest repairs. If the damage is minor, a good waterproofing system should be installed to protect the concrete and prevent future problems. Having a waterproof barrier will also help keep the water from damaging the walls of the home and other structures on the property.
