The Proper Way of Pouring Concrete

Site Preparation

Before pouring concrete, the site

needs to be prepared. Any rocks, grass or dirt needs to be

removed.

.

There should be a solid, well-drained base.

The base should be filled with gravel to avoid it from cracking under the heavy weight of vehicles and to allow it to cure easily.

Forming is now done.

Concrete forms are made from either wood, metal or

plastic and should be at least 4 inches tall. It is held in place by

wood or metal stakes.

Place steel bars for reinforcement

Time to pour the concrete

Screed the top of the concrete

Screeding is the technique

that gives concrete a flat

surface. It should be done

in a sawing motion.

Start bull floating right after screeding

Bull floating makes use of a large trowel to

even out high areas or depressions and to further compact the

concrete. This will also help create a smoothly

finished surface.

Once water disappears, trowel the surface

Troweling is done to create a smooth and

uniform finish all across the concrete

surface.

Edging

Edging is best applied to the area next to the

form, which is not effectively handled by

troweling or bull floating. This helps

make the edge of the slab more durable

and less likely to chip.

Cut Control Joints

Concrete cracks due to shrinkage

as it cures, so it is imperative that you put in control joints

to control where the concrete will

crack.

Brooming

A special broom is used to create a broom finish on the concrete surface.

Some other kinds of finishes are smooth trowel, stamped and

textured.

Curing

If concrete dries slowly, it has greater chances of curing

hardly and is more durable. It is best to cover it with plastic under cool and moderate weather. However, if the

weather is hot, regularly water it down with a garden hose.

Sealing

Sealing involves spraying the concrete with a chemical additive that will greatly

improve its durability.

Maintenance

• You can always use a good quality sealer• Soap and water cleaning can be done• Sealing can be done regularly

Visit www.fortisgw.com for more information regarding your concrete needs.