Concrete 101!

Ordering Concrete

To order a load of concrete, simply call the nearest LC Redi-Mix concrete plant and ask to speak with the dispatcher to set up a delivery. You will be asked what kind of mix you will need and how many yards. If you are placing a driveway, you may want a "4000 with crushed limestone" mix, or a "3500 with local aggregate" mix if you are placing a garage floor. The quantity of concrete you will need is dependant on the size of your pour. Typically, residential concrete is placed at a depth of 4". The following table lists the total square feet covered by one cubic yard of concrete at the given depths:

Square feet covered by one cubic yard of concrete at given depth:

2.00"-------------------162
2.25"-------------------144
2.50"-------------------130
2.75"-------------------118
3.00"-------------------108
3.25"-------------------100
3.50"--------------------93
3.75"--------------------86
4.00"--------------------81
4.25"--------------------76
4.50"--------------------72
4.75"--------------------68
5.00"--------------------65
5.25"--------------------62
5.50"--------------------59
5.75"--------------------56
6.00"--------------------54
6.25"--------------------52
6.50"--------------------50
6.75"--------------------48
7.00"--------------------46
7.25"--------------------45
7.50"--------------------43
7.75"--------------------42
8.00"--------------------40

Concrete dispatchers can help you figure out the quantities you will need.

The strength of most residential concrete is usually based on personal preference and local building codes. Most commonly used mixes are from 3000 psi to 4000 psi, 2500 psi mixes are occasionally used in footings.

Unless otherwise ordered, residential mixes are delivered air entrained. It is important to tell the person taking your concrete order, what the concrete will be used for. Some typical applications are footings, walls, basement floors, and garage floors.