So, you’re thinking about using crushed concrete as a base for your next big project? Smart move. Crushed concrete is an intriguing material that offers several benefits, but like a bad first date, it also comes with its drawbacks. In this text, we’ll explore:
DISCLOSURE: https://groundedinconcrete.com/ is supported by you the reader so if you buy any products featured on this site I may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- What crushed concrete is and how it’s made
- The benefits of using crushed concrete as a base
- Potential drawbacks to consider
- Tips on how to use it correctly
- A comparison with other base materials.
Grab your hard hat, and let’s dig in.
Understanding Crushed Concrete
Crushed concrete is exactly what it sounds like: old concrete that has been broken down into smaller pieces. It’s often created during demolition projects, where concrete from streets, sidewalks, and buildings is collected, crushed, and recycled into a usable aggregate.
What makes it fascinating is not just its eco-friendliness, upcycling at its finest, for those of us who like to think of ourselves as modern-day Picasso, but also its versatility. You can use it in driveways, pathways, and even as a filler under slabs. It’s the Swiss Army knife of construction materials.
According to the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, recycling concrete saves more than 38 million cubic yards of landfill space each year. That’s enough concrete to fill about 30,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Hard to argue with that kind of green efficiency.