What Are the Roles of a Concrete Contractor in Commercial Construction?
Sometimes, the best way to tackle a job is to hire a professional and let them do it. A concrete contractor can help you with everything from building a foundation to pouring an entire house. They can also help you if you are unsure how to complete a particular concrete job. These professionals are responsible for designing new structures, renovation projects, and maintenance operations. They are also responsible for maintaining the structures they have completed. So, what roles can you expect a concrete contractor to play in putting up commercial structures?
1. Site Preparation
Site preparation is the first step in any construction project. A concrete contractor will go through the site and ensure no obstructions or other problems. They will also prepare the surface for the rest of the work. Site preparation for a commercial structure may include, but is not limited to:
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Preparing the ground with a machine called an excavator
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Removing trees, shrubs, and other plants
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Digging holes and trenches for foundations, walls, plumbing, and other structures
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Pouring cement or gravel to level out the ground
2. Formwork
Formwork is used to create shapes and structures in concrete that are difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional methods. This process involves creating a mold in wood or metal and pouring concrete into the mold. The wood or metal mold is then removed, leaving a finished structure. Concrete contractors are responsible for creating the formwork used to pour concrete.
3. Placement
Placing concrete involves mixing cement and sand with water to create concrete, which is placed in the formwork created by the contractor and allowed to dry. The concrete contractor is responsible for pouring the concrete and ensuring it is properly placed.
4. Finishing
Finishing involves smoothing, shaping, and coloring the concrete to give it a uniform appearance. A concrete contractor must be familiar with how to finish concrete and make it look like a professional did the job. Finishing may include:
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Smoothing out rough areas with a trowel
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Coloring the concrete with dye
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Applying a sealant to protect it from weathering
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Honing or grinding concrete to make it smooth
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Etching the surface with acid to produce a decorative pattern
5. Concrete Cutting and Shaping
Concrete cutting and shaping are used to create curved or intricate designs in concrete. A concrete contractor who specializes in this type of work can create designs such as circles, squares, and triangles in a slab. They may also be called upon to cut concrete for any other purpose. They accomplish this task using a machine called a saw, or a wire saw to cut the concrete.
Concrete is integral to building and makes durable, strong structures. Contact a concrete contractor to make arrangements for your next construction project.