Common Mistakes Made When Homeowners Pour Their Own Concrete

Posted on: 30 November 2017

Pouring a concrete slab for a new driveway or shed, or for a carport or patio area, is not impossible for a homeowner, but this job is also not as simple as you might assume. Concrete can be very messy and not easy to control when being poured and spread and the area being covered also needs some prep work before it can properly hold that concrete. Before you decide if you can pour concrete on your property by yourself, note a few common mistakes you'll want to avoid to ensure the concrete cures properly and that the job gets done right.

Not setting the form

Concrete needs to be poured into a form, which is just a basic set of boards that are nailed together and which line the area to be covered. This form keeps the concrete from spilling into the adjoining area of your yard until it sets and cures completely.

This form is usually placed inside the area to be covered with concrete, but it also needs some anchoring. It's good to compact some dirt around the base of the form so that you know it will stay secure and upright, otherwise, you might have a concrete form that falls over and which does nothing to keep the wet concrete in place.

Not placing rebar or mesh properly

Most concrete slabs need some type of mesh or rebar to keep the material strong and solid, and less likely to crack and chip. This mesh needs to be placed in the centre of the concrete slab, which means that you may need to pour only part of the slab and then add additional mesh or rebar as you work, to be able to place it properly. Don't assume you can pour a layer of concrete and then set down the mesh or rebar around its sides and have proper protection for your slab, but be sure you add the right amount of mesh or metal reinforcements along the entire slab of concrete, as needed for its size and depth.

Not letting it cure properly

Concrete may dry within a day or two of pouring, but it often needs several more days and even weeks after that to cure properly. If you drive over the concrete, or even put patio furniture on it before it's thoroughly cured, this can cause cracking and shifting of the material, and you may then need to repair the concrete that you just poured.

For more information, contact a business such as Hunter Concrete Pump Hire.

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Laying Fresh Concrete

If you need to lay some fresh concrete, you are in the right place. Laying fresh concrete can be a real challenge. Not only do you need to make sure it pours into the right place, you also need to work quickly to smooth it over before it sets and becomes solid. When I decided to concrete my drive, I was really worried that I would mess it up. Thankfully, I had the support of my brother Victor who is a concrete expert. He demonstrated exactly what I needed to do and I am really pleased with the results. I hope this blog helps you with your concreting project.

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