Find A Concrete Contractor
Aggregate Industries is proud to be part of the Holcim Group Company, one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of cement in the world. We have been providing products and services for homes, commercial and public buildings, roads and bridges and more for more than 50 years.
Looking For a Local Concrete Contractor You Can Rely On?
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WHY ASK AGGREGATE INDUSTRIES FOR CONCRETE CONTRACTORS
Aggregate Industries has been supplying concrete in the twin cities and surrounding area since 1929. Generation after generation we have built relationships with some of the top contractors. We have collaborated to design, educate and innovate to deliver the best sustainable concrete in Minnesota. Unlike other lead sources, we bring you the following:
- Trained and qualified contractors to place our products
- Good reputable contractors from an extensive screening
- ACI Flatwork Certified
- Minimum 10 years servicing our market area
- Good account standing
Our goal is not making money by selling leads, our goal is to deliver and install the best concrete for your home.
HOMEOWNER EXPECTATIONS
A great contractor will set expectations during the initial process. The low bid is not always the right one!
Here’s What to Expect:
CONCRETE FINISH
We have come a long way since delivering by horse and buggy but one thing that has not changed, concrete is still placed by human’s hands. Our contractors are extremely talented but blemishes are still expected. A non-blemish concrete finish is not realistic expectations.
The elements are out of our control, for example, temperature, wind, season, subbase type, humidity, etc. Expect some level of blemishes, discoloration, and unevenness. A great contractor will take the steps to minimize blemishes but should not promise to prevent them.
POP-OUTS
What is a pop-out?
Many aggregate sources with high-quality sand and rocks that are used for concrete include bits of softer, porous material like shale, iron oxides, unsound chert, and more. It is practically impossible to remove every undesirable particle in the aggregates.
When these particles absorb water and freeze, they can fracture, separate from the concrete, and “pop-out.” In a pop-out; either the mortar, the particle or both may consequently fracture.
Pop-outs do not harm the concrete structurally or shorten its life. The processes that cause pop-outs only affect the surface, not beneath it, and only in the few areas where the particles are located.After one or two winters, pop-outs rarely appear again.
Excessive pop-outs can be avoided by mix type, finish, curing and sealing. Your contractor should give you options on how to minimize pop-outs (ie Granite).
CRACKING
Cracking can occur but does not mean your driveway is structurally unsound. Surface cracking is a result of excessive dry shrinkage. Causes may include late saw cutting due to hot temperatures, wet mix, dry and hot subbase, misplaced saw cuts, etc.
SCALING (Surface Flaking)
What is Scaling?
Scaling is a cosmetic surface defect characterized by flaking or peeling of the finished concrete surface. It is often associated with concrete slabs exposed to freezing and thawing.
Why Does Concrete Scale?
There are multiple potential causes of scaling some of which are listed below:
- Inadequate curing, which causes the surface of concrete to dry and hydration reactions to stop. This dry thin surface layer will scale off when exposed to freezing and thawing or deicing salts.
- Finishing concrete while water or bleed water is still on the surface. The finished surface will have a higher water cement ratio.
- Exposing concrete to weather without a period of drying. If the concrete freezes while the concrete humidity is high, it may scale even if everything is done correctly.
- Improper or excessive use of deicers.
- Using concrete that is not suitable for exterior applications.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
This is where Aggregate Industries and our network of contractors differentiate from other lead sources. If something were to happen years down the road, we will stand behind our products and come up with the best solution. We only ask that the homeowner contact the contractor first to maintain the proper flow of communication.