The Schreiter Companies are a Missouri family owned and operated group of ready mix concrete companies that have been in business since 1979. We are a company built on a proud tradition of top quality concrete and great service at competitive pricing for our valued customers. That tradition and focus is our mission here at Schreiter. Our experienced team is ready to assist you today! We supply ready mix concrete in St. Charles, Warren and Lincoln Counties in Missouri.
We deliver for all your project needs. Whether you are pouring streets or a new patio for gathering your family together on for BBQ's, we have you covered. We have proven concrete mixes for all your projects. Colored concrete? Exposed Aggregate? Yes we can supply that. Besides supplying quality concrete for all your project needs we also supply - Rebar, Expansion Joints, Fibermesh, Concrete Washout Bags, Zip Strips, Concrete Color, and Wall Blocks.
Hot Weather Concrete
You need to consider several things when pouring concrete during warmer temperatures. The precautions required to ensure a quality end product will vary depending on the actual conditions during concrete placement and the specific application for which the concrete will be used.
The precautions may include some or all of the following:
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Moisten subgrade, steel reinforcement, and form work prior to concrete placement.
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Use temporary wind breaks, sunshades and evaporation retarders to reduce the risk of plastic shrinkage cracking and reduce concrete surface temperatures.
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Limit onsite water additions and do not exceed the designed water content for the mixture. Added water can reduce strength, durability, and abrasion resistance while also increasing plastic shrinkage cracking and permeability.
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Protect the concrete surface during placement with plastic sheeting or surface evaporation retarders to maintain the initial moisture in the concrete mixture.
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Provide sufficient labor to minimize the time required to place and finish the concrete, as hot weather conditions substantially shorten the times to initial and final set.
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Consider fogging the area above the concrete placement to raise the relative humidity and satisfy moisture demand of the ambient air.
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Provide appropriate curing methods as soon as possible after the concrete finishing processes have been completed.
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In extreme conditions consider adjusting the time of concrete placement to take advantage of cooler temperatures, such as early morning or night time placement.
Curing of Concrete
Curing concrete flatwork is a vital step in the strength and durability development of concrete over time. 50% of surface strength of the concrete can be lost if concrete is not properly cured. Curing concrete takes advantage of carefully controlling the moisture and temperature of the concrete. The strength of concrete increases with age if curing conditions are favorable and the compressive strength of properly cured concrete is 80-100% greater than the strength of concrete which has not been cured at all.
Properly cured concrete -
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Drying shrinkage cracking is reduced.
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Greater water tightness of concrete.
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The concrete shrinks less, cracks less, dusts less, and is stronger and more durable.
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Will have increased surface hardness, thus decreased abrasion damage.
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Reduce shrinkage of concrete to help prevent surface cracking.
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Curing, along with air entrained concrete, helps resist damage from freezing and thawing cycles in Missouri weather. During these cycles concrete can often crack, scale or deteriorate.
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Without curing concrete is less durable and more susceptible to popouts caused by concrete swelling due to sbsorbing too much moisture or freezing under moist conditions.
Our Service Area
Cold Weather Concrete
Special precautions are needed when pouring concrete in colder temperatures. Colder weather can slow down or stop the hydration, or concrete's chemical process of hardening. Concrete gains strength slowly in cold weather. To maintain quality concrete during placement in cold weather -
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Concrete should never be placed on frozen subgrade. Cover the subgrade with insulated blankets a few days prior to concrete placement.
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In Missouri exterior concrete is exposed to cycles of freezing and thawing and should be air-entrained when poured at any time throughout the year.
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Use accelerators in the concrete mix to gain strength faster. Calcium Chloride and Non-Chloride Accelerators are available and are used to speed the setting time for certain job conditions. Calcium Chloride can darken the color of the concrete and can react with steel reinforcement in concrete so Non-Chloride Accelerator may be more appropriate in certain conditions.
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Use higher strength mixes to help the concrete gain strength faster and allow for faster form removal.
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Concrete slump should be lower than normal to avoid retarding set times.
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We provide heated water in our mixes in colder weather to decrease the concrete setting time and increase the overall rate of strength gain.
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Allow ample time for bleed water to dissipate before concrete finishing. Finishing bleed water into the concrete can lead to scaling and/or blistering of the surface.
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Concrete should be prevented from freezing. Slabs should be protected until attaining at least 3500 psi. Use insulated blankets or straw and poly-film to retain heat during the curing process.
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Proper curing procedures must be followed immediately after finishing is completed.