Have you ever wondered what keeps buildings standing tall and strong? The secret lies beneath what you can see – it’s all about the foundations! And when it comes to creating solid foundations, ready mix concrete is the superhero of building materials. At Express Concrete, we know a thing or two about ready mix concrete for foundations, so let’s dig in (pun absolutely intended!) and discover why this brilliant concrete mix is the perfect choice for your building’s base.
What Exactly Is Ready Mix Concrete?
Before we jump into why it’s brilliant for foundations, let’s get the basics sorted. Ready mix concrete is exactly what it sounds like – concrete that comes already mixed and ready to use. Rather than creating your own concrete mix on-site (which can be a right faff), ready mix concrete is prepared in a special batching plant and delivered to your building project in those massive drum-like lorries you’ve probably spotted on the roads.
Why Foundations Matter (More Than You Might Think!)
Think of foundations like your trainers – without good ones, you’re going to wobble about and might even fall over! Foundations do the crucial job of:
- Transferring the weight of the entire building safely into the ground
- Providing proper load bearing support for the structure
- Preventing the structure from sinking or shifting
- Protecting against ground moisture and frost damage
The type of foundation depends on your specific ground conditions and the building regulations in your area. Having high quality foundations with sufficient bearing capacity is absolutely essential for successful construction projects.
Our team at Express Concrete understands that foundations aren’t just another part of construction – they’re the make-or-break element. That’s why we take our concrete quality so seriously, as part of our promise to every customer.
5 Reasons Ready Mix Concrete Smashes It for Foundations
1. Consistent Quality That’s Spot On Every Time
When you’re building foundations, you can’t afford to have weak spots or inconsistent material. One of the biggest advantages of ready mix concrete is its consistent quality. In our batching plants, we use computerised systems to measure exact proportions of ingredients for our mix designs – something that’s nearly impossible to achieve when mixing concrete by hand on-site.
According to research from the Concrete Society, professionally prepared ready mix concrete can be up to 30% stronger than site-mixed alternatives due to this precision.
2. Custom Strength for Whatever You’re Building
Not all foundations need the same type of concrete. A garden shed needs different support than a block of flats, obviously! That’s where ready mix shines – it can be customised to specific strength requirements.
| Building Type | Typical Concrete Strength Class | Why It’s Suitable |
|---|---|---|
| Residential homes | C25/30 | Good balance of strength and cost for standard load bearing |
| Commercial buildings | C30/37 | Higher bearing capacity for greater loads |
| Garden structures | C20/25 | Sufficient for lighter structures |
| High-rise buildings | C40/50 | Maximum strength for massive weight |
| Raft foundation | C30/37-C40/50 | Distributes load across challenging ground conditions |
3. Super Quick Delivery and Placement
When you’re pouring foundations, timing is everything. Once you’ve dug your trenches to the required depth, you want to get the concrete in quickly – especially if there’s rain forecast (which, let’s be honest, is pretty likely here in the UK!).
Ready mix concrete arrives exactly when you need it, and because it’s ready to pour straight away, the entire foundation can often be completed in one go. For larger building projects, we can even arrange a concrete pump to reach difficult areas. This quick placement means fewer “cold joints” (where two separately poured sections meet), which could otherwise create weak points.
Want to discuss your project timeline? Get in touch with our team to schedule your delivery at the perfect time.
4. Better for the Planet (And Your Neighbours!)
Mixing concrete on-site creates dust, noise, and often wastes materials. Ready mix concrete is much more environmentally friendly because:
- It produces less waste (we measure exactly what you need)
- It creates less dust and noise pollution at your building site
- It helps with health and safety compliance by reducing hazards
- Many modern batching plants (including ours!) use recycled materials and water conservation systems
According to the UK Green Building Council, using ready mix concrete can reduce construction waste by up to 15% on typical building projects.
5. Tested and Trustworthy
Perhaps the most important reason to choose ready mix for foundations is reliability. Every batch we produce at Express Concrete is tested to ensure it meets the required specifications. This means you can sleep easy knowing your foundations won’t let you down years later.
Ready mix concrete from reputable suppliers comes with documentation proving its strength class and composition – something you don’t get when mixing on-site. This can be especially important if you ever sell your property and need to prove the construction quality.
How Ready Mix Concrete Is Made (It’s a Bit Clever, Actually)
The process of creating high quality ready mix concrete is fascinating and precise:
- Careful selection of materials: We choose premium cement, sand, aggregates, and special additives.
- Precision measurement: Computer-controlled systems at the batching plant weigh each component exactly.
- Thorough mixing: Industrial mixers blend everything perfectly – no dry spots or clumps.
- Quality testing: Samples are tested for consistency and strength to ensure building regulations compliance.
- Timely delivery: The mix concrete is transported in special trucks that keep it mixing until it reaches your construction projects site.
We also offer specialised concrete solutions, including reinforced concrete options for foundations that need extra strength.
Tips for Working with Ready Mix Concrete for Your Foundations
If you’re planning a building project using ready mix concrete for foundations, here are some handy tips:
- Plan ahead: Book your delivery at least a few days in advance by contacting our team.
- Prepare the site fully: Have your foundation trenches dug to the required depth before the concrete arrives.
- Check the weather forecast: Try to schedule delivery on a dry day if possible.
- Consider drainage systems: Ensure proper drainage around your foundations to prevent water damage.
- Assess ground conditions: Different soil types may require different foundation approaches.
- Have enough helpers: You’ll need several people to help direct and spread the concrete quickly.
- Arrange for proper tools: Ensure you have rakes, shovels, and tamping tools ready.
The Science Bit: Why Ready Mix Concrete Gets Stronger Over Time
One of the coolest things about concrete is that it doesn’t just dry – it actually undergoes a chemical reaction called hydration. This means it continues to get stronger for weeks and even months after being poured!
When water mixes with cement in the concrete, it creates calcium silicate hydrate crystals that interlock and strengthen over time. After 7 days, concrete typically reaches about 70% of its potential strength. After 28 days, it’s usually at about 90% strength. This continuous strengthening process is one reason concrete foundations can last for centuries.
According to Portland Cement Association research, properly poured ready mix concrete foundations can maintain structural integrity for 100+ years with minimal maintenance.
Common Myths About Ready Mix Concrete – Busted!
There are a few misconceptions about ready mix concrete that we’d like to clear up:
Myth 1: “It’s much more expensive than mixing on-site.” Reality: When you factor in labour costs, waste, and equipment rental for on-site mixing, ready mix often works out more economical, especially for foundation work.
Myth 2: “You can’t use it in cold weather.” Reality: Special admixtures can be added to ready mix concrete for cold weather pouring, making it usable year-round.
Myth 3: “All ready mix concrete is the same.” Reality: There are dozens of different formulations for various applications – we can customise the perfect mix for your specific foundation needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much ready mix concrete do I need for my foundation?
The amount depends on the dimensions of your foundation. Measure the length, width, and depth of your foundation trenches in metres, multiply these numbers together, and you’ll get the volume in cubic metres. We recommend adding about 10% extra to account for spillage and variations in trench depth. Our team can help you calculate this – just get in touch.
How long does it take for ready mix concrete to set in foundations?
Ready mix concrete typically becomes hard enough to walk on within 24-48 hours. However, it continues to cure and gain strength for weeks afterwards. We generally recommend waiting at least 7 days before building on new foundations, though this can vary depending on weather conditions and the specific mix designs used.
What type of foundation depends on my building project?
The foundation type depends on several factors including ground conditions, load bearing requirements, and local building regulations. Common types include strip foundations (for most residential projects), pad foundations (for supporting specific loads), and raft foundations (for poor ground conditions). Our experts can advise which ready mix concrete solution is best for your specific needs.
Can a concrete pump be used with ready mix concrete for foundations?
Absolutely! For difficult-to-reach areas or larger construction projects, a concrete pump can be arranged to efficiently place the ready mix concrete exactly where it’s needed. This is particularly useful for raft foundation installations or sites with limited access.
Is ready mix concrete waterproof for foundations?
Standard ready mix concrete is water-resistant but not completely waterproof. For foundations in areas with high water tables or flooding risks, we can add special waterproofing admixtures to the mix. Additionally, proper foundation design should include a drainage system regardless of concrete type.
Do you offer reinforced concrete for foundations?
Yes, we provide reinforced concrete options for foundations that require additional strength and load bearing capacity. This involves adding steel reinforcement to the concrete mix, which is particularly important for challenging ground conditions or structures with heavy loads.
Ready to Pour Your Foundations?
Whether you’re planning a simple garden wall or a new home extension, getting your foundations right is crucial. Ready mix concrete offers the quality, consistency, and convenience that make it the ideal choice for foundation work of all kinds.
At Express Concrete, we pride ourselves on delivering high quality ready mix concrete exactly when and where you need it. Our experienced team can help you choose the perfect concrete mix for your foundation project and ensure everything goes smoothly from order to pour – all while ensuring you meet building regulations and health and safety requirements.
Ready to get started? Contact our friendly team today to discuss your construction projects and get a quote. Your solid foundation starts here!