Blended cement comes from a mix of OPC (Ordinary Portland cement) with additives such as fly ash, slag or silica fumes. These mineral admixtures result in cement that’s now widely considered superior to common cement. Usage of blended concrete mix provides advantages in two important ways: technical and environmental. Technical Advantages Smoother: It provides a […]
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Top 10 Facts about Dry Cast Concrete
Many people don’t realize that concrete is not a fairly modern material, but was in use thousands of years ago. Builders learned that the best way to create durable concrete structures was keeping water-to-cement ratios low. Today this admixture is known as dry cast concrete – still one of the best construction alternatives. Here are 10 facts […]
How Do Concrete Dock Steps Stack Up Against Other Materials?
Concrete docks are becoming a more popular choice than traditional wooden docks. They are assembled by setting modular floating components in place and securing them together. This provides a safe and long-lasting solution to exiting from the water or boating craft. Concrete dock step forms make this an easy solution. Does concrete float? Each component […]
What Makes Concrete A Sustainable Building Material?
Concrete is an eco-friendly building material at every stage of its use – from raw materials to eventual demolition of old structures. It’s a sound choice for all kinds of commercial and residential construction. Concrete is a sustainable building resource for many reasons. Efficient Resources Limestone is one of the primary ingredients in cement, and also the […]
Why Is It Important to Keep Storm Drains Clear?
If you are tasked with maintaining or improving property, it’s important to keep water runoff under control. This is especially true where there is high water flow from parking lots or long driveways. Storm drains are meant to collect this water as well as the runoff from roofs and landscaping. If a storm drain becomes clogged with […]
Growth in Solar Power Popularity Means Growth for Concrete Industry
The Solar Energy Industries Association relates that the use of solar power in the United States is rising dramatically. The market is expected to more than double this year. But that won’t be possible without the concrete industries. Planned installations will total 16 gigawatts of output, more than twice the production of new solar installations in […]
10 of the World’s Most Impressive Concrete Structures
Concrete is one of the most ubiquitous and versatile building materials. Since at least Roman times, concrete has been an important construction material. Applications for concrete include road surfaces, dams and buildings; concrete is a big part of the landscapes around us. Here are 10 impressive concrete structures. The Pentagon An icon of American architecture, […]
The Famous Urban Legend: Alligators in Sewer Pipes
Sewer pipes are hidden from most people’s view. People see the manhole covers, but few see inside the actual sewer pipes or tunnels. Assorted urban legends, heightened by colorful imaginations, lurk beneath our feet. Rumors abound of homeless people living in the sewers, garnering the title of the mole people as featured in an episode of “Law & Order: […]
Top 5 Sewers in Cinema
The sewer is a necessary part of modern waste management, but it’s also a prominent feature in segments of modern cinema. Sewers have become a fixture in film and television. Whether characters live there, as in the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movies, or use it as an escape route, sewer tunnels have become ubiquitous on film. So […]
NRMCA National Mixer Driver Championship Breaks Record
Driving a concrete mixer truck is no small task. The industry requires skill and focus in all areas. The NRMCA National Mixer Driver Championship competition, now in its 11th year, is one way the industry recognizes drivers. The competition is serious business, with cash prizes on the line. All areas of skill are tested. In […]
The Truth About The ‘Jersey Barrier’
Every cement contractor, construction contractor and construction worker should be familiar with the Jersey barrier. The term Jersey barrier is used because these concrete barriers were first employed by the New Jersey State Highway Department for dividing multiple highway lanes during the 1950s. Stevens Institute of Technology developed the barrier design that was first used […]
Quick History Of The Invention of Cement
Throughout history, people have used cement as a primary construction material. The Egyptians used calcined gypsum for construction while the Romans and Greeks added sand and coarse stones to lime to make mortar. However, the Romans are credited with the invention of cement. The Romans used volcanic ash and pozzolanic concrete in harbor construction. Lacking access […]
Guide to Storm Shelters
Mother Nature can certainly be beautiful and spectacular, but it can cause havoc and devastation. So staying safe should be a top priority when nature threatens. Consider the risks. With 300 mph whirling winds, tornadoes pose considerable danger with the potential of causing 50-mile trails of damage. That’s why storm shelters are vital. Although tornadoes […]
What Does PSI Have To Do With Concrete?
Concrete comes in several different types with varying levels of strengths, compositions and applications. Compression testing is used to determine concrete strength, which is measured by PSI (pounds per square inch). Regular concrete has a PSI range of between 2,500 and 5,000. The PSI of engineered exceeds 10,000. By The Numbers Contractors use 2,500 PSI […]
Concrete Barrier Forms for Highways Help Reduce Crash Fatalities
Traveling along a busy highway in a vehicle at 70 mph might be second nature for most drivers. The rules of the road are simple: Keep in your lane, go with the flow of traffic and take precautions. Stick with courtesy and common sense driving and you’re sure to reach your destination safely. But accidents […]
How To Find the Best Cement Pouring Buckets
For contractors, proper equipment, careful mixing and adequate transportation of concrete are essential to successful concrete placement. Whether you are doing pre-cast work or filling forms, concrete pouring buckets that allow the delivery of large batches of concrete directly to the construction site can be a big time saver. When you are using the best […]
What Is An RCP Machine?
There’s no room for compromising on quality when it comes to the best quality in construction material for your facility, and the Del Zotto family understands that well. For decades, the Del Zotto family has been one of the leading providers of concrete and steel for all kinds of building projects. One of the most powerful […]
What Are Liquid Containment Forms?
The construction industry faces some unique challenges. Builders often need to come up with custom solutions to satisfy clients. The logistics behind these projects can sometimes seem daunting. Del Zotto products are designed to make construction easier and more efficient. We offer everything from concrete pouring molds to liquid containment forms, to septic tank delivery trucks. […]
What Do Form Oil Sprayers Do?
Recognized as experts in the pre-cast concrete forms industry, Del Zotto Products offers a broad range of products including the form oil sprayer to help you in your concrete and steel business. Pre-cast concrete is made in a controlled environment and then transported to the construction site, whereas standard concrete is made on site. In […]
Why Should You Use Concrete Sealing Mastic?
In the construction industry, concrete reigns supreme. Contractors build homes on concrete foundations. Crews use this fortifying substance for sidewalks, bridges, parking lots, curbs and in so many other structures. In a sense, modern civilization was laid upon this simple marvel. But while concrete makes our lives smoother and considerably more secure, this powerhouse material […]