Concrete is known to be strong, hard, and long-lasting. But how does concrete manage to stay that way? Of course, concrete is made through a mixture of cement, stone, and adhesive, but there is actually a way for concrete to start out more brittle than it actually appears.
Concrete is made in a very consistent textbook way. Your local paver stone companies are able to create fresh concrete slabs for outdoor floors, walls, staircases, and other landscape structures.
How Can Concrete Start Out Brittle?
When fresh concrete is produced, there are bubbles of air that can form inside the concrete. While pavers and other concrete makers don’t see them from outside the material, they always assume that bubbles are there. If the untreated concrete hardens, the bubbles inside pop, and what’s left behind are multiple open spaces inside the concrete occupied by nothing but air. If there are too many air bubbles and/or to big, inside the concrete, the concrete is not at its strongest, which can make a difference when that concrete is used as a foundation or support structure over time.
With enough wear and tear, the concrete has a chance to fail thanks to the empty cavities of air inside of it.
What Do Concrete Companies Do To Avoid This Problem?
In the concrete-making process, a company can eliminate air bubbles inside the concrete so that the concrete ends up being completely solid when it’s hardened. This process is done with a concrete vibrator. In fact, many buildings require pavement companies to use a vibrator to create concrete to ensure the proper steps are taken to keep concrete strong until it hardens.
A vibrator works to cause the concrete to shake without messing up its shape or structure. When it shakes, air bubbles from inside the concrete pop so fresh concrete occupies these spaces. Vibrators are motorized devices that involve a probe that sticks into the fresh concrete, often probing the concrete in sections until all areas have been covered.
For new concrete floors, professionals may alternatively use what’s called a force plate compactor. This is larger than a vibrator and is run over the concrete floor like a tractor to shake the surface underneath it. Compared to a vibrator, a compactor can cover a larger area in the same amount of time, but cannot treat concrete objects like staircases, benches, or fountains.
Can I Buy A Concrete Vibrator Myself?
Vibrators and force plate compactors are available in stores, but unless you’re going to be making your own concrete on a constant basis, you should leave this job to professional stone pavers and save money. By hiring a professional, you can get an estimate on how much a new concrete floor or other structure will cost, and you can pay that once and leave the job to the experts.
Summary
When new concrete is made, it can actually become brittle if the air bubbles remain inside. Experts remove these bubbles with a vibrator, so the bubbles pop so that the concrete is completely solid. Vibrating the concrete ensures floors, walls, and other objects are at their strongest and don’t fail over gradual wear and tear. While consumers can buy their own vibrators, they’re not recommended for just one-time jobs, and are more for professionals that deal with concrete on a regular basis.
