How to Use Concrete to Do Anything!

Posted on: 17 July 2020

As one of the most versatile building materials you could wish to work with, concrete comes in various forms. Some concrete contractors specialise in making precast concrete components which are shipped to site to fit together whereas others will be more at home pouring concrete in its liquid form. Each approach has its pros and cons but spray-on concrete should not be overlooked as a useful method either. What are the advantages of spray-on concrete that make it so beneficial?

Greater Strength and Durability

Whether you are spraying concrete that has been ready mixed or using the nozzle of the spray to mix it with water as it passes through — often known as shotcrete — the result will be much stronger than you could expect of a conventional concrete pour. This is because firing it out of a nozzle at high velocity means that it will be packed into the areas it is directed at by a skilled contractor in a denser state. When concrete is poured by hand — or even pumped into position — it will only settle under gravity. This is not the case with spray-on concrete, hence the greater density and consequent strength once it has gone off. Furthermore, this superior density will also mean that the resulting structure is less porous, perfect for situations such as tunnels where low permeability will be desirable.

Superior Adhesion to Surfaces

Another advantage of using a high-velocity delivery method is that spray-on concrete will stick to the surface it is being applied to better. This stickiness makes it ideal for use in vertical situations, such as lining a wall or spraying into the structure of an outdoor swimming pool, for example. Because spray-on concrete operators can often adjust the mix of concrete and water as they go, so they are able to regulate the degree of adhesion to the particular situation where the material is being sprayed.

Speedier Working Times

Many main contractors and end customers like the fact that spraying concrete takes a short amount of time. Because spray-on concrete can cover awkwardly shaped surfaces, it does not need any of the lengthy preparation work associated with poured concrete. When a concrete contractor uses a spraying method, the job can take less time than other techniques. Indeed, when the project is time-sensitive, a reliably fast concrete delivery method will be even more desirable. If so, then spraying will be the best choice that could be made.

For more information, contact a spray-on concrete service.