FAQs

Q.

Does 1stMix concrete meet NHBC and Local Authority standards?

A.

Our ready-mixed concrete has been designed to meet all relevant Building Regulation requirements.

Q.

Is 1stMix concrete easy to place in a strip foundation?

A.

Yes, our ready-mixed concrete is quality-assured and has been specifically designed to be easily and quickly placed in a strip foundation. 

Q.

Will 1stMix concrete be resistant to chemicals in the ground?

A.

Our ready-mixed concrete has been designed to meet NHBC and British Standard requirements for low-rise buildings. If you require, the ready-mixed concrete can be modified to cater for more aggressive ground conditions. If this is something you need please let us know when placing the order or requesting a quotation.

Q.

How long after placing the concrete can the bricklayer start work?

A.

Normally, the following day, but the concreted foundation must be protected in cold weather conditions.

Q.

Is there a high workability alternative?

A.

Yes, a flowing, self-levelling version of our ready-mixed concrete is available which enables the whole foundation to be poured from one poured from one or two points and will require minimal effort to obtain a compacted and level finish. If this is something you need please let us know when placing the order.

Q.

Do I need to take any precautions to protect 1stMix concrete when laid?

A.

Yes, the concrete must be properly cured by covering with plastic sheeting or kept damp for at least three days, otherwise the durability will be impaired. Additionally, protect the concrete from rain and frost after placing as this will damage the finished surface.

Q.

How soon after placing the concrete can I lay a screed?

A.

Practically, as soon as the concrete is hard enough to be worked on. This is normally the following day.

Q.

How do I finish the surface?

A.

This depends on the application:

• Direct finish house/garage floors – steel or wood float

• Workshops/greenhouses – wood float

• Substrate to screed – tamp finish

Q.

How long will 1stMix floor screed concrete last?

A.

This product has been designed to British Standard specifications and NHBC requirements. Provided the concrete is properly placed, is given the appropriate finish and is correctly cured, it will give many years of maintenance-free service.

Q.

How deep should I lay 1stMix floor screed?

A.

As a guide, the typical slab thickness on a well compacted sub-base should be:

• Domestic use – minimum 100mm

• Light commercial – minimum 125mm

• Moderate commercial/vehicles – minimum 150mm

Q.

How soon after placing can the floor be used?

A.

Normally the floor can be carefully used after seven days subject to normal air temperatures and providing that it has been correctly cured.

Q.

Are there any additional advantages?

A.

Yes, incorporating fibres into the mix helps to reduce early-age shrinkage cracking. It also improves the surface strength and should extend the floor’s service life. If this is something you need please let us know when placing the order or requesting a quotation.

Q.

Does 1stMix concrete for driveways weather well?

A.

Yes, our ready-mixed concrete withstands all weathers and contains a special air-entraining admixture to provide protection against frost damage during winter.

Q.

How long will it last?

A.

This product has been designed to the latest British and NHBC standards. If placed and finished properly, it will provide many years of good service.

Q.

Will it take the weight of a lorry?

A.

Yes, it is particularly suitable for lorry traffic. However, for this application it is important that the concrete is laid to the correct depth on a suitable well-compacted sub-base.

Q.

How deep should I lay 1stMix concrete for driveways?

A.

As a guide, the typical slab thickness on well-compacted sub-base should be a minimum of:

• House drives and paths 75mm – 100mm

• Roadways and trafficked slabs 125mm – 150mm

Q.

How soon after placing can I traffic the concrete?

A.

Early trafficking by heavy vehicles will damage the new surface and may also cause serious cracking. Ideally, the concrete should not be subjected to vehicular use for seven days without protecting the surface.

Q.

Does 1stMix concrete for footpaths weather well?

A.

Yes, our ready-mixed concrete withstands all weathers and contains a special air-entraining admixture to provide protection against frost damage during winter.

Q.

How long will it last?

A.

This product has been designed to all latest British and NHBC standards. If placed and finished properly, it will provide many years of good service.

Q.

Will it take the weight of a lorry?

A.

Yes, however, for this application it is important that the concrete is laid to the correct depth on a suitable well compacted sub-base.

Q.

How deep should I lay 1stMix concrete for footpaths?

A.

As a guide, the typical slab thickness on well-compacted sub-base should be a minimum of:

• Domestic footpaths 75mm – 100mm

• Trafficked slabs 125mm – 150mm

Q.

How soon after placing can I traffic the concrete?

A.

Early trafficking by heavy vehicles will damage the new surface and may also cause serious cracking. Ideally, the concrete should not be subjected to vehicular use for seven days without protecting the surface.

Q.

Will 1stMix concrete be resistant to chemicals in the ground?

A.

Our shed base ready-mixed concrete has been designed to be economical and durable. However if you are concerned about chemicals in the ground, the ready mixed concrete can be modified to cater for more aggressive ground conditions. If this is something you need please let us know when placing the order.

Q.

How long after placing 1stMix concrete can the bricklayer start work?

A.

Normally, the following day, but the concreted foundation must be protected in cold weather conditions.

Q.

Is there a high workability alternative?

A.

Yes, a flowing, self-levelling version of our ready mixed concrete is available which enables the whole foundation to be poured from one point. If this is something you need please let us know when placing the order.

Q.

What makes 1stMix concrete for agricultural use better than normal mixes?

A.

1stMix has a specially designed mix for the agricultural industry and takes into account the anticipated traffic and varied climatic conditions in and around the farm.

Q.

Can I get a milk tanker in within 24 hours of placing?

A.

Early trafficking by heavy vehicles will damage the new surface and may also cause serious cracking. Ideally, the concrete should not be subjected to vehicular use for seven days without protecting the surface.  However, we have designed concretes to enable access at 24 hours. These concretes are specifically designed for rapid early strength and will require different handling techniques, so please call us to discuss.

Q.

Does the slab need steel reinforcement?

A.

Unless the sub-base is unstable or weak, steel reinforcement will generally not be required. 1stMix ready-mixed concrete for agricultural use can contain fibres to control plastic shrinkage cracking and we can advise on joint location and spacing.

Q.

What type of surface finish do you recommend for a path or yard?

A.

For vehicular traffic we would advise a normal tamped finish, but where livestock movement is anticipated then a heavy brush finish would be more appropriate.

Q.

What finish is recommended for a grain store?

A.

A smooth powerfloat finish will ensure that the surface can be cleaned easily. This will help to meet ACCS quality standards.

Q.

What type of surface finish do you recommend for livestock areas?

A.

A brush finish is best suited to stock flooring and is what most farm building contractors will advise. This will aid slip resistance and increase abrasion resistance to mechanical damage.

Q.

What thickness of slab do I need and does it have to be reinforced?

A.

A slab depth of 150mm is adequate. Structural reinforcement is not needed in a ground supported slab. 1stMix ready-mixed concrete for agricultural use can contain fibres to control plastic shrinkage cracking. If this is something you need please let us know when placing the order.

Q.

Can 1stMix concrete for agricultural use be trafficked by heavy delivery lorries?

A.

Yes, 1stMix ready-mixed concrete for agricultural use has a high-strength mix. This produces a high-performance concrete which will withstand trafficking by lorries and is suitable for loaders. If this is something you need please let us know when placing the order.

Q.

Are all the 1stMix concrete for agricultural use options readily available?

A.

Yes, they can be supplied from all our depots without any additional prior notice. Simply specify what your application is and our customer services team will help you select the most appropriate product for your specific application.