Frequently asked questions about ready-mixed concrete and floor screed

Or check our vehicle guide

Mixes vary greatly depending on application and ground conditions, please see our recommended use table or contact one of our sales advisers for more information.

Hills’ ready-mixed concrete is produced to the British Standard BS 8500:2006 which is designed to assist users in specifying the correct mix for their particular project.

Click here for Housing Applications – ready-mixed concrete for foundations and associated works, kerbs, drainage, oversite, unreinforced foundations, floors, driveways, parking areas

Click here for Agricultural Applications – ready-mixed concrete for foundations, oversite, floors and roads for livestock, stables, crops stores, workshops.

Use our handy Concrete Calculator.

If you do not have a credit account our preferred method of payment is credit or debit card.

This will depend on the method of curing, type of mix used and weather conditions. However you should have between one and two hours in which to work the ready-mixed concrete.

The chutes carried by all our mixer trucks mean we can place ready-mixed concrete up to 3.35m from the rear of the vehicle.

Our vehicles are heavy. If they need to leave the public highway, we cannot be held responsible for any damage caused to the site. Our drivers will do their best to make informed decisions about the safety of taking their vehicles onto your site but any damage to drains, manholes etc is the customer’s responsibility. If you think the access may be a problem, you can ask us to come and look at your site or request a mini mix vehicle which is lighter and smaller. See also our information above on the size of our vehicles.

See our good practice guide for information on preparing your site and finishing your concrete.

If you request your ready-mixed concrete at a lower slump (ie drier), you will be able to move the ready-mixed concrete in dumper trucks or wheelbarrows.

Up to 30 minutes, after which you may incur a waiting time charge.

It can be if it is not handled with proper care. Wet concrete can burn and cause dermatitis, we suggest caution when handling ready-mixed concrete as follows:

Caution for everybody handling cementitious material, concrete and screed

• Fresh concrete or screed can cause serious burns to skin and eyes as well as skin disease and dermatitis.
• Do not swallow.
• Keep out of reach of children and animals.
• Immediately wash off any fresh cementitious material from the skin and thoroughly washout any affected eye.
• If swallowed do not induce vomiting but seek medical advice.
• Wear protective clothing (such as goggles, gloves, impervious boots, trousers and long sleeved clothing).
• Immediately remove any clothing or item saturated with cementitious material and wash thoroughly before reuse.
• Seek medical attention if symptoms persist or in the case of doubt

Yes. Failing to tamp, compact or vibrate the wet ready-mixed concrete could leave air pockets which could seriously weaken the compressive strength and durability of the ready-mixed concrete. Also, this process ensures the ready-mixed concrete is at its most dense and, where reinforcing metal is used, ensures that the bond is at its best.

Yes. Extreme hot or cold weather could affect the ready-mixed concrete and it would be at your own risk. Concreting in cold weather should be carefully considered before starting. The most favourable conditions are between 10-20°C with low wind speeds. Proper curing can negate the impact of the weather. But in very extreme conditions ready-mixed concrete should not be laid.