What is ready-mix concrete ( or RMC) and what are its benefits? You're ready to repave your driveway or renovate your front stairs. But you want to learn more about the concrete options. Take a look at what you can expect from RMC, the benefits of this common construction material, and where to find a ready-mix concrete supply.

What Should You Know About Ready-Mix Concrete?

The production process, delivery method, and the level of control over its properties are the primary differences between RMC and other concrete materials. RMC is produced in a central batching plant, where the raw materials (cement, aggregates, water, and additives) are precisely measured and mixed according to a predetermined recipe. The concrete is mixed in large batches and then transported to the construction site in specialized trucks with rotating drum mixers. It is ready to use upon arrival at the site.

In contrast to this process, on-site mixing involves combining raw materials directly at the construction site. This method requires manual measuring, mixing, and handling of materials, which can lead to variations in quality and consistency.

What Are the Benefits of Ready-Mix Concrete?

Quality is a primary factor that homeowners and commercial property owners care about when choosing or using any concrete product. Again, RMC is manufactured under strict quality control measures in a controlled environment. The use of automated batching systems ensures accurate proportions of materials, leading to consistent properties and performance.

Along with the quality and consistency of the concrete, RMC is time-efficient and requires less manual labor on the construction site since the concrete arrives ready for immediate use. This is a benefit for the contractor and the customer.

On-site mixing can be more labor-intensive and time-consuming due to the need for manual handling of materials, mixing, and cleanup. The contractor won't have to pay employees for extra labor hours to mix the concrete on-site. If the contractor can eliminate these costs, they pass the savings on to the customer.

Are There Environmental Benefits?

Precise batching of ingredients in a controlled environment minimizes material wastage. On-site mixing can lead to inaccuracies in measuring and mixing, which can result in unnecessary wastage of materials. Ready-mix plants can implement measures to control dust, noise, and other potential environmental impacts more effectively than on-site mixing.

Where Can You Get A Ready-Mix Concrete Supply?

You can get a ready-mix concrete supply from a commercial dealer. These are companies that specialize in producing and delivering ready-mix concrete to construction sites. They have dedicated batching plants where concrete is manufactured according to specific mix designs and then transported to project locations using specialized concrete mixer trucks. Concrete batching plants, concrete distributors, construction material suppliers, and contractors with batching facilities also provide RMC services.