Accounting FAQ

Aggregate FAQ

Concrete FAQ

Click on the link above to view some frequently asked questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question, you can e-mail us and we will be happy to contact you with an answer.

Q. Does imi take payments by credit card? If so, what types of credit cards are accepted?
A. Yes, imi accepts Visa and Mastercard.

Q. How long does it take to get a credit application approved?
A. This can usually take two days to two weeks depending on how soon the credit references come back.

Q. Where do I send my payment?
A. Please send your payment to the Remit to address on your invoice or statement. imi's divisions bill separately. Each division has it's own remit to address on the invoice or statement. By sending your payment to the proper remit to address allows imi to process your payment in an accurate and timely manner.

Q. If I send a check with no instructions, how does my payment get applied?
A. If no instructions accompany the check, it is applied to the oldest outstanding invoice. By putting an account number and or invoice number on the payment, we are better able to post the payment to match your records.

Q. What is the difference between limestone and gravel?
A. Limestone is generally white in color with angular edges. It is mined from deposits left from oceans hundreds of millions of years ago. Gravel has many different colors and is usually smooth and rounded. It is mined from deposits left from glaciers only a few million years ago.

Q. What are the different sizes of aggregate available?
A. Aggregates range from sand to boulders. Please call your local plant to help determine the right size aggregate to suit your needs.

Q. What information should I have ready when ordering aggregate?
A. The basic information you should have when ordering aggregate for delivery:

1. The quantity and type of aggregate needed.
2. The delivery address, for a haul rate quote.
3. Any obstructions that may prevent access by a dump truck.

The dispatcher operator can help you with this information.

Q. How much aggregate do I need for my driveway?
A. The total tonnage of aggregate needed can be determined by measuring the length and width of your driveway and the desired depth of aggregate. This will give you total cubic yards. To convert to tonnage, multiply the total cubic yards by 1.5 to get a final tonnage needed. An Aggregate Calculator located on this site is a useful tool to determine the amount of aggregate needed.

Q. How do I get the aggregate to my house?
A. Each aggregate plant has a dispatch office that can take your order and schedule a truck to deliver the aggregate to your house. imi does not own nor operate the trucks that deliver the aggregate on public roads. The deliveries are done on a contract basis. Haul fees are determined by the distance from the plant the trucks must travel to deliver the load based on a fully loaded truck. The dispatch person will be able to quote the haul fee at the time of your order.

Q. What is the difference between cement and concrete?
A. Cement is an ingredient in concrete. Cement is manufactured through a process where numerous products are ground, mixed and then heated to very high temperatures to create the finished product. Concrete utilizes cement as a glue to hold together a mixture of stone, sand, water and cement.

Q. What is Fly Ash and why is it used?
A. Fly ash is a recycled product used to improve the performance and finishability of concrete.

Q. Can Concrete be installed over an old asphalt driveway?
A. Yes. Concrete is an excellent material for overlaying old or worn asphalt drives. This process is often called "white topping."

Q. Is it a good idea to put a sealer on new concrete surfaces?
A. Yes. Sealers, applied correctly, help concrete reach its maximum strength and become more durable.

Q. Why does concrete crack?
A. Concrete has the same characteristics of a sponge. Concrete is just like the sponge that you leave on the edge of the sink after you cleaned your dishes. When the water leaves the sponge, the corners curl towards each other. Concrete goes through the same process as the sponge, but the sponge does not have the weight the concrete does. The concrete dries and gravity takes over. The concrete cracks where it needs relief from the stresses of the drying. To alleviate this problem, proper curing (confilm) during finishing and have your saw joints cut at the proper depth and widths.

Q. Why is most cement manufactured today called Portland cement?
A. In 1794, Englishman Joseph Aspdin made the first modern-day cement by heating a mixture of limestone, clay, iron ore and sand. When combined with water, rock and sand, his invention made concrete that reminded him of the valued stone that was mined on the Isle of Portland.

Q. Does concrete dry out?
A. No. There is always moisture in concrete.

Q. Are concrete roads more expensive to build than asphalt roads?
A. The initial cost to pave with concrete is slightly higher than asphalt, however, concrete has a dramatically lower life cycle maintenance and repair cost.

Q. Are concrete homes more energy efficient than wood frame homes?
A. Yes. Concrete's mass increases energy efficiency because concrete walls respond to changes in temperature very slowly. For example, it may take 4 to 8 hours for a temperature change to migrate through a concrete wall, yet only 1 hour through an insulated wood frame wall. Air leaks are responsible for one-third of the energy loss in homes. Due to its solid wall system, there are fewer air leaks in concrete home.

Q. Is concrete environmentally friendly?
A. Yes. Concrete is chemically inert and has no components made from petroleum products or other chemicals that might have an effect on our water supply due to rainwater run-off.

Q. How many trees are typically needed to build a wood-frame home?
A. The typical wood-frame home requires 41 trees to provide all the materials needed. Concrete products can replace many, if not all, of the wood products, including the roof.

Q. Can using concrete as a construction material reduce air temperature?
A. Yes. Today's cities are "heat islands" that are several degrees hotter than the surrounding countryside. By planting trees and building homes and pavements with light colored surfaces, air temperatures can be lowered by up to 10 degrees.

Q. Is all concrete the same?
A. No. Concrete is similar to cookies or cakes. Many look the same, but because of different ingredients, all taste a little different. In other words, concrete is different from producer to producer depending upon how the ingredients are blended and which ingredients are used with various mixes.

Q. How much notice should I give for delivery of concrete?
A. Availability changes daily from plant to plant. Some days no notice is necessary, but other days you could need several in advance. For more information, please call your dispatcher to determine a delivery schedule.

Q. What causes concrete to blister and eventually flake off?
A. Concrete has tiny air bubbles like a soda pop. They must be allowed to escape. If not, the air will become trapped and push to surface layer loose.

Q. Why does my exposed aggregate driveway look dirty?
A. Just like your teeth, concrete needs to be cleaned regularly too. Every 2-3 years pressure wash your concrete and seal the surface with a non-yellowing, high solid sealer and your driveway will give you a lifetime of service.