How Commercial Concrete Work Is Different
Most businesses require commercial concrete services at some point. If you've never worked with a commercial concrete contractor, you might assume the job isn't too different from residential work. There can be major differences, though, and you should understand them before you begin a project.
Higher Traffic
A lot of commercial concrete jobs involve putting down surfaces for high-traffic areas. This often includes both foot and vehicle traffic, and it may even extend to locations that have lots of equipment traffic. From shoppers and their carts in stores to forklifts in warehouses, the concrete surfaces in these businesses take significant levels of abuse. Fortunately, a commercial concrete contractor will know how to tailor the solution to your location's needs. They can choose a mixture that can take the repeated pounding. Likewise, they can select a sealant that will handle the scuffs well.
Physical Pressure
Many commercial sites also have concrete structures that have to bear significant loads. If you have a parking garage on the premises of your business, for example, the concrete may have to hold up to the pressure from potentially hundreds of vehicles. Notably, this means a commercial concrete contractor has to use a very different mixture than they would for a residential one, like a sidewalk or foundation. The mixture will often involve a lower percentage of water and heavier aggregates to allow it to bear the physical pressure of what sits on it. Similarly, they may use materials like rebar to reinforce the structure.
Liability, Insurance, and Regulations
The risks posed to the public if a commercial concrete structure fails are dramatic, especially in locations with lots of traffic. Your business has to consider compliance with local, state, and federal rules regarding the construction of commercial buildings. Likewise, your insurance company will have some opinions about what should or shouldn't be present. In any of these instances, there will be parties who want to see reports. A commercial concrete services firm can provide reports explaining what the project's challenges are and how they'll overcome them. These reports will become part of the record for the building, allowing engineers to assess the structure's performance years down the road.
Scale
Finally, many commercial locations are just bigger than residences. The scale of a commercial project means you need to deploy more equipment, supplies, and people to get work done. Similarly, there will often be more complex structural issues because of the scale of the structure. Building a 200-foot concrete wall, for example, presents challenges you won't usually see in a home setting.
For more information, contact a commercial concrete service, such as T & M Concrete Inc.