One of the biggest appeals of concrete sidewalks or driveways, is their long service life, which averages from 20 to 40 years, according to the National Research Council of Canada’s Institute for Research in Construction (NRC-IRC). The key factor in sidewalk or driveway longevity is the quality of construction and concrete pouring. Even a concrete sidewalk or driveway can fail after several years if poor materials are used for concrete pouring and good design and construction practices are ignored.
Installing concrete is a challenging job and every concrete pour is different. Size, shape, color, finish and complexity of a project all have to be considered when concrete pouring. Use this guide of eight steps in concrete installation to get a better understanding of what takes place before, during and after concrete is placed.
Before concrete can be poured, the site needs to be prepared to reduce the chance of heaving from expansive soils and frost. On small projects, use hand tools to clear the area of all grass, rocks, trees, shrubs, and old concrete, exposing bare earth. Earth moving equipment speeds up the process, especially for larger concrete pouring. Then, place and compact a sub base of fill gravel, unless the soil is very compact and stable.
Once the sub base is prepared, forms can be set. For residential concrete projects, use wood forms with metal or wood stakes. Attach forms to the stakes with screws or special nails to allow for easy removal after the concrete has cured. Forms should be in good condition, be set to provide the proper slope or grade for drainage, and form clean corners where they meet each other or other structures.
If you’re using bagged concrete purchased at a home center, mix the concrete with water according to the package instructions. For small slabs, you can use a wheelbarrow and shovel, but renting a concrete mixer can make the process easier. If your concrete arrives in a ready mix truck, the drum on the back of the truck will be spinning to keep the concrete from settling and getting hard.
Pour wet concrete into the forms until they are full to the top edge. While the wet concrete is being poured, use shovels, rakes and “come alongs,” a special concrete rake, to move the concrete pour to make sure there are no voids or air pockets.
Use a large metal or wood board to screed the top of the concrete. Screeding helps compact and consolidate the concrete, and begins the smoothing and leveling process. Next, use a float to further compact the concrete, even out any high or low areas, and create a smooth finish. Small hand held floats are good for edges and detail work, large bull floats are best for working large areas. At the same time, work control joints and edges into the concrete with special hand tools.
If the concrete will receive a rough broom finish, no additional finishing may be needed. If the concrete will be smooth toweled or stamped, a steel trowel finish is needed. Let the concrete rest until the surface begins to firm up. Once firm, use a steel trowel to create a smooth, hard and uniform finish. Steel troweling can be done by “skating” across the surface on knee boards, troweling small areas at a time, or with tools on long poles known as “fresnos” or “funny trowels”.
Once all the troweling (float or steel) is complete the final finish can be applied to the concrete. The most basic type of finish is known as a “broom finish”. A special broom is pulled across the concrete surface creating a rough textured surface. Other types of finishes include stamped, textured, or smooth trowel to name a few
Let the concrete rest and begin to cure, or set. How long does concrete take to set? The curing or setting process lasts 28 days, with the first 48 hours being the most critical. Apply a liquid chemical curing and sealing compound to help the concrete cure slowly and evenly, which helps reduce cracks, curling, and surface discoloration. You can start to use your concrete for light foot traffic three to four days after placement, and you can drive and park on your concrete five to seven days after placement.
If you need more than just a simple concrete slab poured, get bids from professional concrete pouring contractors near you! Compare these bids, and make a choice based on referrals, experience, price, scheduling and curb appeal of previous concrete pouring jobs near you. Once an installer is picked, price and logistics worked out, you should be presented with a contract. The contract needs to clearly state work to be completed, expectations on finish, color, and texture, price, payment schedule and warranty or guarantee information. Once you sign the contract, and pay the deposit, if any, the real work can begin!
Concrete has been around for thousands of years, and remains the most popular choice for residential patios, walkways, and driveways. When you make the decision to go concrete, understanding the basic steps, from picking a contractor to general maintenance, will make the entire process run smoother for all parties involved!
Eternal Pressure Washing
Cape Coral, FL
Phone: (239) 785-3383
Your Helpful Guide To Concrete Pouring One of the biggest appeals of concrete sidewalks or driveways, is their long service life, which averages from 20
