Concrete may seem basic, but actually, it is the most common material used by builders and construction companies to carry out their commercial or residential projects. Due to its strong and durable foundation, it persists for centuries on the earth and is the backbone of every construction development plan. However, when it comes to its best functionality, the quality of concrete matters a lot.
Cheap quality concrete may seem like a good way to step up your project at a great price, but some major risks are also associated. The risks sometimes go out of hand, leaving you with no option but to cost a fortune. Ask yourself, how many times have you preferred low price over quality, and it has, in return, betrayed you? Most of the time, for sure!
In this blog, we’ll dive into the world of cheap concrete, its risks, and its quality. We’ll get to recognize why it is imperative to invest in quality materials in the first place. Keep on reading, and you will get reliable supplier recommendations as well.
What does it mean by the term ‘Cheap Concrete’?
Cheap Concrete describes the type of concrete material that is extremely low in quality and hindered in desired composition with a key goal to reduce overall cost. It incorporates low-quality raw materials followed by extra dilution with water. Besides, the manufacturing process is highly outdated and inefficient in contrast with the quality standards of the time.
The prices are quite low compared to the other types, and that’s the only reason it has caught the attention till now. It makes an attractive choice for budget-conscious builders or customers with limited resources.
Why Is It Important to Consider the Concrete Quality Before Initiating Your Project?
There is a major need to understand that inexpensive concrete may seem an economical substitute, but its hidden cost is extremely high. It has its multiple downsides. The following are some major risks associated with cheap concrete.
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Compromised Durability
One major risk of cheap concrete is the lack of durability. The cheap quality material is porous and weaker and can cause some serious malfunctioning. Your resultant product, for instance, a building or home, can have a weak structure, prone to cracking and crumbling over time. Also, it has low resistance against unexpected stresses like earthquakes or floods. This may lead to expensive maintenance and replacements down the line, ultimately negating any initial savings and adding a pile of additional costs.
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Safety Risks
Firstly, if the concrete is of poor quality, it is not durable and can damage or demolish under specific conditions. If such a thing happens, this will cause weathering, breaking, and sometimes even falling apart. It can endanger workers and neighboring regions, risking life and causing enormous property losses.
Additionally, if the concrete quality is compromised using an additional amount of water, it can be susceptible to shrinkage and snapping, creating tripping hazards and associated safety concerns.
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Environmental Impacts
Cheap concrete has adverse impacts on the environment during its life cycle. From raw material and fabrication to project manufacturing and disposal, it retains our surroundings at risk.
Initially, at the concrete manufacturing phase, harmful chemical additives are incorporated that potentially harm the environment as well as humans in connection. If the manufacturing process is old-fashioned and does not comply with the specific standards, it contributes to higher greenhouse gas production and emissions.
The weathering at the disposal end also plays a role in harming ecological sustainability and health. The dust specks pollute the environment with high levels of Particulate Matters (PM2.5 & PM10) and other toxic infusions.
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Legal Liabilities
Last but not least, low-quality concrete exposes manufacturers, builders, and contractors to strict legal liabilities. If a structure is constructed with degraded quality concrete and collapses, the manufacturing and constructing entities would be held responsible for injuries, mortalities, or property loss. Besides, there can be huge penalties, fines, or charges if using low-quality concrete breaks any legal building codes or protocols.
What’s The Solution, then?
Despite the reduced costs and high savings at the purchaser’s end, one should go for the thing that benefits in the longer run. In this case, it is High-Quality Concrete. Even though the prices are higher as compared to the cheap one, it resonates better with the future benefits and cost savings.
Good quality concrete not only makes the whole process reliable and satisfactory but also leaves you with limited drawbacks even after decades and so on. Multiple companies are providing quality products, including ready-mix and unique blends. Their goal is to provide the consumer with the best thing at competitive prices so no aspect is compromised at any end.
Bottom Line
In a nutshell, deeply understanding the potential risks that reside behind cheap concrete and going for an educated decision is equally significant. Not only that, but it is also noteworthy to be aware of the potential hidden savings that it can bring in the long run. It is always good to weigh out all possibilities and decide what works best for a specific type of project.
If you’re looking for a good concrete manufacturing company, we have a name for you! Pro-Mix Concrete is a leading high-quality concrete manufacturing company in the UK. We provide a wide range of concrete types and blends, all manufactured with state of the art facilities and advanced machinery.
