Which Cement is Best for House Construction? UltraTech March 25, 2019 The process of building a home typically includes many stages and in most of these stages, your choice of cement will play a crucial role. There are three main types of cement for constructing a home – OPC, PPC and PSC.

• Among the three, you will find OPC is available almost everywhere, but PPC and will give better strength and excellent durability.
• Before purchasing the cement, make sure to check the manufacturing date.
• If the cement bag is older than 90 days, you should consult your engineer.
• You will find the manufacturing date, along with other important details like the MRP and the ISI stamp, printed on the side of the bag.

Make sure to inspect the cement bag for lumps as this makes the cement unsuitable for construction. In trying to pick the right cement, don’t be influenced by price alone. In an attempt to bargain and save money in the short-run, you risk paying a big price in the long-run.

Where is the expiry date on cement bag?

1. How to calculate the expiry date of cement bags? – Every bag of cement has manufactured dates printed over them as shown below. As you can see in the above image, the manufactured date of cement is printed as W48 DEC Y13. Here, W stands for 👉 Week. DEC stands for 👉 Month, Y stands for 👉 Year. W48 DEC Y13 means, the cement is manufactured on the 48th week of the year 2013 in the month of December.

By observing the calendar (internet ), the 48th week is from Nov 25th to Dec1st of the year 2013. We should add 3 months ( 90 days ) to the manufactured date, to get the expiry date of cement.1st Dec 2013 + 90 days. = 28th February 2014 will be the expiry date of cement. So, it is OK to buy this bag of cement before 28th Feb of the year2014,

The other pattern of printing the manufactured date over the cement bags is as below. As explained above, W, M, & Y stands for a week, month & year respectively. Now the next question that comes to your mind is,

Do cement bags expire?

The shelf life of cement is 3 months – When cement comes in contact of moisture, it undergoes a process called Hydration. This makes it crucial to protect cement from moisture even within the 3 month period. This is why it is important to store cement carefully and prevent it from coming in contact with moisture. Below are points to keep in mind when storing cement –

1.Keep cement in dry, leak-proof and moisture-proof environment.2.Doors and windows must be kept closed.3. Bags must be stacked on a wooden plank or on a strong tarpaulin at 6 inch above the ground.

How do you check a bag of cement?

Points to Check on a Cement Bag before Buying It Author: Admin Date:18/06/2018 Cement is the most important construction material which is used widely. Cement is generally used to prepare concrete and mortar which are used to make RCC framed structures. Cement has binding properties and can easily mix with aggregates and forms a homogeneous mixture, which hardens to give a stone-like strength.

• The strength and durability of the structure are mainly dependent on strength of cement.
• There are several makers of cement worldwide.
• Persistently they adopt unhealthy practices to manufacture and pack cement to extend their profits.
• The price of cement is quite alternative construction materials (coarse aggregates, fine aggregates etc.) and it conjointly affects your overall project value.

Hence we must be aware before buying cement bags because sometimes cement bags arriving on the site may be a duplicate. Duplicate or adulterated cement will decrease the life of the structure. You have to check some basic standard specifications before you buy it.

Check the manufacturer’s name and their registered trademark. If the trademark and name is not printed properly or there is any spelling mistake, then the cement bag may be duplicated.

ISI mark should be printed on the cement bags in black color. That confirms that the cement packed in the bag has fulfilled every requirement as mentioned in its specifications.

The most important point to check on a cement bag is its grade and type of cement. The cement bag of OPC 53 must mentioned the words ‘Ordinary Portland Cement, 53 Grade ‘or‘ Ordinary Portland Cement, 53-S Grade whichever is applicable.

The net weight of cement in kg i.e.25 Kg, 50 Kg etc. must be mentioned on the cement bag.

Check the brand of cement. It is important that the cement is of a reputable brand. One must also check the cut-sheet provided by the brand, to know the technical details about the product.

MRP (Maximum Retail Price) is an important thing to check on a cement bag. The retailer or seller can fool us by selling the cement bag for more price than MRP. Hence checking the MRP before buying the cement bag will help the consumer to avoid any kinds of frauds.

Words ‘Use no Hooks’ or its symbol are printed on standard cement bag.

The batch/control unit number in terms of week, month and year of packing must be mentioned on the cement bag. It is preferred to use a cement bag which is recently packed, usually less than 3 months.

The address of the manufacturer must be mentioned on the bag for contacting him for future enquiries.

The type and percentage of performance improver(s) added, if added must be mentioned on the cement bag.

Particular IS code number should be printed on the cement bag(i.e.)if you have ordered OPC 53 grade cement, then “IS-12269-1987” should be printed on the cement bag, and if you have ordered Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), “IS 1489-1991” should be printed on the cement bags.

The above points are essential to check on a cement bag, before buying it. This will help to ensure the cement bags are from a standard manufacturer or seller and helps in avoiding any loss to the customer. After buying cement bags, they must be properly stored and used within few days. : Points to Check on a Cement Bag before Buying It

Can I use 2 year old cement?

We strongly recommend that you do not use any cement that has exceeded its use by date. The use by date on cement is related to health and safety regulations about ‘chromium VI’ which can cause allergic dermatitis. After the use by date on the bag we are unable to guarantee that ‘chromium VI’ is below the required legal limit, which could increase the risk of skin irritation.

Are cement bag stored for two years is likely to result in?

Detailed Solution. Concept: The cement when stored for very long period of time, its strength is going to decrease as the age of stored cement is increasing. When used after 1 year of storage, the strength of cement reduced by 40 to 50% as compared to freshly stored cement.

Can I use an old bag of cement?

Can I still use my cement if some has gone hard or there are lumps in the bag? No, we would not recommend that any cement containing lumps is used. Lumpy cement will not create a homogeneous mix. There is also a good chance it may not gain as much strength as you would expect.

What is the age of cement?

History – Perhaps the earliest known occurrence of cement is from twelve million years ago. A deposit of cement was formed after an occurrence of oil shale located adjacent to a bed of limestone burned by natural causes. These ancient deposits were investigated in the 1960s and 1970s.

How long does cement last in unopened bag?

Q. Is there a shelf life for portland cement, or will it last indefinitely? A. If kept dry, portland cement will retain its quality indefinitely. However, bagged cement that’s stored for long periods in a dry atmosphere can develop what’s called warehouse pack, a mechanical compaction that makes the cement lumpy.

What can you do with expired cement?

Does Cement Loses its Strength Over a Period of Time? – The fresh cement when stored for longer period of time, loses its strength gradually. The cement when used after one year of its production, loses its strength approximately by 40-50% as compared to freshly produced cement.

1. It is the property of hydration which is responsible for strength.
2. And if such hydration take place due to non-use or due to atmospheric moisture, it means, it is already gaining strength and hence it will not serve the purpose for which it is used.
3. The strength of the cement, which has been stored for a long period of time, should always be checked before it has been taken in use for important works.

Generally, cement not more than three months old can be used without testing. It is recommended that always use the cement bags within three months from the date of manufacturing of cement. How to check whether the cement is fresh or not? Cement is very fine material packed in jute bags.

When it gets older, the lumps are observed in the bags which develop due to the reaction between the fine cement and the atmospheric moisture. In cement godown, fresh cement bags are stored or placed in such a way that the old bags are used first and then the fresh one. Storing cement bags in bulk in the godown has a rule called ‘first in first out’.

It simply means the older cement bags should go out of the godown first for its use. Cement bags is stored in a sound godown, have lesser chances to react with moisture of air, so they stay fresh for longer time and do not reduce the strength over a longer period of time.

1. Hence cement godown should be well prepared to store the cement.
2. Read the tips which helps to make a good cement godown,
3. However, if you use one-year old cement bags, you may never achieve designed strength.
4. Hence, such old cement should be rejected and disposed of from the site or it may be used for non-structural purposes (like in plain cement concrete (P.C.C.), mortar for flooring, plaster etc.) with slightly higher proportion and of course with permission of Engineer-in-charge or Architect and may be after due testing.

In conclusion, never use one-year old cement to construct a house. Use lumps free and fresh cement to get the good quality of construction work. Good cement leads to the safe and longer service life of the house. It will also save your money towards repair and maintenance.

Can you revive old cement?

Why Resurface? – “I’ve also found that having a few bags (of resurfacer) on the truck can come in handy with unexpected jobsite concrete issues that need to be handled quickly. It’s definitely helped me keep clients happy on more than one occasion.” — Thomas Werline, veteran contractor, finisher, mason Resurfacing is a proven method of restoring the durability and appearance of dilapidated concrete by applying a thin layer of pre-blended, polymer-modified flowable mortar on top of an existing surface.

• Resurfacing concrete is a significantly less expensive than replacing it.
• It costs between $3.50 and $5.50 per square foot to break up, haul off and pour a new slab of concrete compared to only about 25 cents per square foot to resurface concrete.
• In addition, the resurfacing process is less labor-intensive and less disruptive than replacing concrete.

Ultimately, resurfacing can produce a high volume of profitable concrete restoration jobs for contractors. Contractor experience has shown that high-quality, well-formulated and properly applied resurfacers can extend the life of concrete for years. While a variety of factors contribute to the successful restoration of concrete including proper surface preparation and application (both addressed later), resurfacing gives contractors several clear and distinct advantages.

Resurfacers eliminate the time, labor, and expense to remove existing concrete and pour a new slab.No special skills or training is required to apply a resurfacer.Concrete restored with resurfacer can be open to vehicle traffic in one to two days.Resurfacers can be applied in a variety of thicknesses making it viable for many types of restoration repairs.Beyond repair and restoration, resurfacers protect concrete to help minimize maintenance moving forward. Concrete restored with a resurfacer can be colored, stamped, and/or stained for added aesthetic value.

Veteran contractor, finisher, and mason, Thomas Werline of Orlando, Fla. has resurfaced concrete on residential and commercial jobs of all sizes across the U.S. from New Jersey to California during the past 45 years. “In general, the ability to make simple cosmetic improvements or perform full-scale restorations, depending on how thick the material is applied, makes resurfacing concrete invaluable.

Can we check expiry date by barcode?

iPhone Screenshots – Scan barcodes on any disposable or non-disposable food items to keep your fridge and pantry fresh. Avoid throwing out rotten food by receiving notifications that your valuable items are about to expire. Use BEEP for commercial use or at home on any items with a barcode.

• BEEP IS SIMPLE TO USE Scan the barcode, input the expiry date and with the sound of a BEEP, you’re all set! Expiration management couldn’t be any simpler.
• EXPIRY DATE PUSH NOTIFICATION SERVICE Receive a friendly notification reminder a day, week or month prior to the expiry date to preserve your valuable food.

▲ GROUP FOOD INTO CATEGORIES Itemize food by type, placement or location depending on home or commercial use. You can categorize and customize to find your goods more easily. ▲ CREATE AND SHARE WITH FAMILY OR GROUP Scans can be shared with others to collectively track of products.

Can we use 3 month old cement?

Cement is the first material that we think of when we want to build a house or any other structures. There are many construction materials which are used to construct a house or building but cement has a major role to play with respect to its life, strength and cost.

Its own valuable impression. Cement is basically ground as powder which reacts with water and set to a hard mass and gain strength when used with aggregates. Cement is an adhesive substance which is composed of many minerals. Among that minerals, gypsum is the most basic minerals and it is also known as calcium sulfate dihydrate.

Due to the easy availability of raw materials, cement industries are growing day by day and the rate of consumption of cement also goes on increasing 11% annually in India and a similar rate globally. Fresh cement has many benefits. Fresh cement only leads to the good quality of construction which ultimately results into the longer service life of the building.

But cement which is stored in godown for a longer duration, out dated cement or cement which is stored on site for a longer duration may lead to the poor quality of construction. Though the cement might be well protected in the cement godown, it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere and over a period of time, cement loses its strength.

So, a million-dollar question is does cement loses its strength over a time? Yes, Cement loses its strength over a period of time. Cement is available in the form of a very fine powder and it has a tendency to absorb moisture from the atmosphere. When it absorbs moisture, it hydrates, and consequently the use of that cement does not contribute to the strength development or it contributes less. Not only atmospheric moisture affects the cement, but the water or dampness during the monsoon also deteriorates the cement when stored for longer period at site or in cement godown. In monsoon, cement will deteriorate early. But generally cement starts deteriorating after approximately three months.

1. It is advisable to use cement within three months of its bagging.
2. If usage of cement is required even after 3 months of its manufacturing then always check it by carry out different cement test.
3. Proper arrangement therefore should be made in cement godown,
4. Cement bought first should be used first.
5. Generally, cement is bagged in Jute bags (gunny bags).

Jute bags are neither airtight nor damp-proof and also do not prevent absorption of moisture. Vice versa cement bagged in woven polythene or craft papers are not likely to deteriorate fast to the extent mentioned above. The loss of strength also depends on the condition of the godown.

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