The Many Uses of Concrete Blocks

So far, in our previous articles, we’ve discussed the basics of everything you ever wanted to know about concrete blocks. Then, we discussed, in more detail, everything you ever wanted to know about concrete block names. Now, in the following article, we will talk about everything you ever wanted to know about concrete block uses. There are endless uses, thanks to the fact that there are countless variants when it comes to concrete blocks. There are different concrete block sizes, shapes, weights. There are also altering styles, patterns, and attributes each block can have, adding to the variety of uses of each individual block. When you really pay attention to different buildings and structures, you can see all the differences that concrete blocks have and all the different uses they can provide. So, let’s discuss some certain block types and the helpful uses they provide for all sorts of areas, communities, and job sites.

Creation of Storage Bins

One of the most popular uses, among the many uses, of concrete blocks is the creation of storage bins. Some of the concrete blocks, especially the concrete bin blocks, can be positioned in such a way (usually a U shaped pattern) that they can form boxes, or bins, that can be used in all sorts of ways. These bins can then be filled with all sorts of materials and natural matter, ranging from rock, dirt, gravel, sand, road salt, woodchips, landscaping materials, etc. The bins that the blocks create help prevent the various materials being stored from being moved around, whether by wind, weather, or other natural occurrences. These bins can be very helpful, especially in landscaping companies, road district facilities, city storage lots, aggregate companies, concrete companies, and airport maintenance areas. It can help each of these places and companies keep their materials organized, separated, and safe. If you are looking for a way to store and organize your business’s materials, purchasing bin blocks in order to create storage bins is a great option for you.

Retaining Walls

Large concrete retaining wall blocks help out with exactly what their name implies: creating retaining walls. These walls can also be nicknamed “gravity walls”. The large concrete retaining wall blocks can be assembled in such a way that they use their own weight in order to hold back the soil or earth behind them. In order for these blocks to be positioned properly, the ground beneath them will need to be leveled using special equipment. These walls can be used to hold back land, soil, rock, etc. They can be useful in many different sites and landscaping projects. Although the large concrete retaining wall blocks are normally plain in appearance, it is possible to add decorative faces to any of the block’s appearance by installing a custom facade over the exposed face of each concrete block. This can add a little bit of personalization to the blocks when being used in a personal project. 

Traffic Control

One of the most popular uses among concrete block uses, particularly concrete bunker blocks, is traffic control. Some of the amazing features that make this use possible and efficient is one, they can be placed in a certain location temporarily. Two, these blocks must be moved using special machinery. Because of this, people can’t just get out of their car and move the block out of the way to gain vehicle access to a certain road or piece or property. Another reason these blocks are ideal for this certain use is because they are pretty low maintenance. They are just concrete blocks, which are meant to be set in place and forgotten about. But, nonetheless, the blocks serve their purpose well. Something else that makes these blocks ideal is that they are completely personalizable. They can be painted on, have arrows drawn on them, and have signs attached to them, or whatever else you could think of to help make the blocks more noticeable and significant. Some of the ways these blocks can be positioned in order to serve their purpose would be to 1) you can space the blocks out evenly in such a manner that a vehicle could not drive between them. This can prevent people from driving onto private property or areas of land. 2) These blocks can be arranged in a continuous barrier with each block right next to each other, even stacked if you would like. This can help prevent access from an entire area or property, whether from vehicles or individuals. These blocks are often used as barricades at convenience stores or gas stations, preventing vehicles from driving into unwanted areas, such as an embankment or someone’s yard. These blocks can be utilized in so many ways when it comes to traffic control and direction and blocking off vehicle access in certain locations. 

Protective Barrier

More common among the uses of the concrete mafia block can be found within the creation or protective barriers. These barricades can be useful in quite a few different areas, ranging from garages to restaurants. They can be used to close off and protect outdoor eating areas at a restaurant by blocking the seating and people from nearby roads and traffic. We have actually had some people buy mafia blocks to protect their marajuna growing facilities from thieves driving into them. We once had a business owner call to buy mafia blocks because he was paying a security guard to sit and protect their facility, when blocks could simply be set in place and don’t have to be paid by the hour. Not only are these blocks helpful, but they are very cost effective. They are a one time purchase and can serve their purpose for many many decades…maybe even longer. The barriers that these blocks create can also be placed around things such as fuel or propane tanks, preventing a vehicle from running into them, weather damage, or just to create general protection and security. These blocks are a great option for creating a protective barricade, as they are not permanently stuck in one position. They can be moved around and also be placed in about any location. 

Tie Down Weight

When it comes to the concrete waste blocks, they are actually quite useful in just creating general weight. You can’t really find anything else as cheap as this, per pound, in a solid form. These blocks, much like most of the other blocks we have discussed, can be moved around quite easily with the use of their rebar handle loop, which is located on top of the block. These blocks are not limited to one permanent location. Another term we tend to use when referring to tie down weight, is dead man’s weight. Sometimes this term can refer to some sort of buried anchor point and uses the soil as its resistance. However, this term can also refer to an object that is sitting on top of the ground that relies on its own weight in order to withstand the force being applied to it. The most common use for these blocks is for weighing down tents, namely, those large tents that are used at outdoor concerts or festivals. The tents are set up and then waste blocks can be situated on the outside perimeter of the tent at certain points, in order to weigh them down. Typically in a business transaction like this, since the concerts are temporary, we usually deliver the blocks a few days early so that when the concert team sets up, the process can go smoothly and quickly. Then, the concert, or event, happens and we come back a few days later to pick the blocks back up. If you can think of any other way you could utilize these waste blocks, whether on a construction site or some other project or event, please consider our waste blocks! They are easy to use and move and purchase, as they are very cost effective. 

So, a little recap, what are the more common uses of our most generally purchased blocks? 

We have storage bins, retaining walls, traffic control, protective barriers, and tie down weight (otherwise known as dead man’s weight). Each of these uses can be created by different blocks, serving their purpose to their best ability. There are so many different ways concrete blocks can be used, again, especially regarding all the different shapes, sizes, models, and features each block can have. Not to mention, there are probably so many different uses, yet to be discovered, out there. There is always room for innovation and imagination in architecture and construction and concrete blocks can definitely be a help in that way. Our blocks have top quality and can be purchased at a much cheaper price, considering the fact that most of them come from recycled materials. So, if you have a project of any kind, we would love to help provide for you and all your concrete block needs.