Concrete

[bodgeitandscarper]

Last week used a concrete barrow service who supplied 3.5m3 @ 100mm deep. Went to see job and concrete hasnt set. The area has not had any frost or much rain so what has happened?

[matt h]

probably anti frost additive or other retardant in the mix methinks. ask barrowers what they used in mix. Have you got initial set? Slow curing is usually the best, so best to find out before you start worrying too much

[lutonlagerlout]

it should of gone off by now,we use barrowmix companies and generally the first set is in about 6 hours and it is rock hard in 36 hours
did it rain after it was laid?
LLL

[bodgeitandscarper]

It was laid in the morning and it did rain but not alot. when the shuttering was taken away a week later the concrete was still soft at the bottom!! Bits of concrete that had been undercover were also soft. Any ideas?

[bodgeitandscarper]

Any ideas? anyone!!

[dig dug dan]

have you tried getting the people back who laid it to inspect? sounds like a dodgy batch, or someone mixed a bag of sugar in with the concrete.

[bodgeitandscarper]

They are coming tomorrow (so they say) . Any thing i should be asking them or telling them even!!! They have said its because of the cold weather which has slowed the curing process (or as he put it 'well mate its fu!!ing cold so it aint going to fu!!ing go off as fast')

[dig dug dan]

sorry to say, but ti should have set by now. It hasn't really been that cold yet anyway.
If thye dont play ball, you can get it independantly inspected by someone like hanson, who can test it for you.
This sort of thing happened in Boston, where concrete for a tunnel wall failed, and the under city road got flooded. they pinned it back to the concrete, and the supplier was sued!

[bodgeitandscarper]

well the guy came and said "take me to court" or I can pay half for an extra two inch skim on top. To55er

[Rich H]

Any reason why you couldn't take him to court?

[James.Q]

try tradeing standards they can be quite persuasive

[Dave_L]

well the guy came and said "take me to court" or I can pay half for an extra two inch skim on top. To55er

What a filthy sticking attitude!

[DeckmanAdam]

Ditto, Tell him you are going to take him to court...he might be bluffing?

[dig dug dan]

Before you take him to court,
get the concrete independantly inspected and tested. You may have to pay for this, but it will be recoverable in court.

Once you ahve done this, write to give an ultimatum that unless he rectifies the problem free of charge, you will be taking him to court.
It's important to get this in writing.

Then if he does not play ball, file a county court judgement.

You can claim your expenses incurred, and when you win (not if), and he still does not pay, you send in the bailiffs. (last resort measure)

Its a pity that some people think they can get away with this fly by night attitude and get away with it.

Good luck, and keep us posted

[James.Q]

name and shame