READYMIX PLASTER – MODERN METHOD OF PLASTERING

INTRODUCTION :

Every decade new innovative and breakthrough construction methods make inroads and become a normal practice of construction. Few examples to look at are : ReadyMix Concrete Trucks, Miwan Construction, Precast Constructions Elements and Light Weight AAC Blocks.

Now it is time for India to move forward from bulk purchase of sand for plastering of walls, fixing of tiles to paving interlocks. Mumbai, Gujarat and Pune are already witnessing several new building material companies setting up huge capacity plants for production of readymix plaster, readymix tile fix adhesive and block join mortars – all bagged in dry format.

It isn’t only the prominent brands that rule this segment, but even the newbies who have explored the formulations, have the appetite to take risk in marketing and building a brand name have ventured into this readymix construction mixes in bag segment and have been quite successful in giving a tough competition to branded products.

SILICA MIX IN BANGALORE

Most IT innovations happen in Bangalore, but if we look at manufacturing and construction innovations and mass acceptability, Bangalore still is the last to follow the trends that started in Mumbai, Pune and Chennai.

We Silica Mines and Minerals, a firm based in Bangalore have setup a state of the art facility in Bangalore to manufacturer readymix plaster, readymix concrete, tile fix adhesive, block join mortar for AAC blocks and Solid Blocks. The premix will be supplied in 40kg bags (with few products in 20kg bags).

For more information on the variety of products that we offer and for placing orders, please visit our website www.smminfra.in

Also visit our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/silicamix for more regular updates

FIRST THINGS FIRST : WHAT IS THE COST?

Before we jump into advantages of readymix construction products in bags, it is important that we address the cost question as that is the key for any size of construction, let it be independent houses, villas, mid size apartments or large size townships.
At the outset, the cost of readymix bag product should not be compared with material cost of cement plus sand. One of the main reasons for bagging the premix at the factory is to reduce labour time and cost at site and also reduce the unproductive time of masonry while the labourers are busy shifting and mixing the raw materials at site.

Just like assembly production in a factory, plastering or block joining work is a team work of mestri, masonry and helpers, similar to assembly line production. If there is delay in shifting and mixing of the material, the masonry will be idle. Similarly if there is shortage in availability of raw material (as mostly sand is procured locally and subject to in time availability) there is always a huge labour cost incurred and we all have gotten used to it.

But with readymix plaster in bags, there is not only a significant labour cost being saved in shifting of sand to each floor in apartment construction, but also cost saving incurred in mixing of the cement, sand and waterproof chemicals in each floor.

Moreover, since the premix is done using a state of the art mixer machine at factory, the consistency of mix is far superior to site mix.

With significant cost saving on labor, not only the site needs to have less labor for plastering work, but also the speed of construction can be 2x faster if properly managed, monitored and contracted.

It is a well known fact that under normal method, speed of plastering is 150 sq.ft. of area. However, with readymix bags, it can be increased upto 225 – 250 sq.ft. per day

Also, please check our costing worksheet for a detailed numerical cost comparison of traditional plastering v/s readymix plastering method.

Therefore, when we compare labor and material cost per sq.ft., it is proven in several practical applications, that this bag product is not at all costlier than traditional mix method and moreover it offers several advantages as listed below.

ADVANTAGES OF READYMIX PLASTER

Readymix plaster in bags has several advantages and benefits over traditional mix at site.

1. Increased workability and Quality – High quality polymers and admixtures are added which provides better quality than normal sand and cement mix. The ready mix due to water retention does not dry out immediately and also needs less curing work than traditional site mix. Also it offers crack free plastering
2. Consistent mixing – Mixed at factory in computer controlled raw material feeding to mixer, thus giving a constant consistent mix each time every time in bags. Every batch is ERP system monitored, by which specific ratio of mixing (1:3, 1:4, etc.) are fed to the mixer machine; and even the mixing time is pre-decided and followed consistently
3. Also allows smooth finish based on requirement – Performance chemicals provide a smooth finish, thus reducing the need of wall putty per sq.ft.
4. Reduced wastage –With better mixing, increased bonding and workability of the mix, wastage will be less compared to normal method of plastering
5. No need to buy and store bulk quantity of sand and cement – Can buy in multiple batches as per work plan. No need to store bulk quantity of sand and again shift it to each floor. Since coverage area is fixed at 15 to 18 sqft per bag for 12mm thickness plastering, exact number of bags can be supplied to each floor of the apartment thus making it easy for construction management. Also, initial unloading of bags itself can be done at required floors, unlike dumping all materials at one place and then shifting to specific floors as per work plan
6. Solution to the problem of unloading and dumping sand on narrow roads – With sand storage being a big hassle in metro cities, bagged product make it easier to transport, shift and store inside the construction site.