| |
| There are 100's of ways to setup and pour concrete. There is no way we can explain all the ways in this short page, but here are some basics to start with. |
| Basic Tools |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Square point &
round point shovels |
|
String line |
|
Caulk line |
|
Tape measure |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Level |
|
Stakes: wooden
or steel |
|
Nails-
#6, #8 or #16 |
|
Form lumber-
2x4's or 2x6's |
|
Wheel barrows
6 cubic ft.
-not garden style |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Bull Float |
|
Aluminum screed
or 2x4 |
|
Concrete rake
(Kum-a-long) |
|
Edger |
|
Center cut
or groover |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Finishing machine |
|
Broom |
|
Skid loader |
|
Concrete buggy |
1. When setting up your project remove all vegetation in the area that you want to pour concrete. Fill, level with sand or crushed rock and then compact it for a sub base.
2. Make sure when setting your forms that you have sufficient slope from any buildings or areas that may hold water run-off.
3. Make sure that you have no underground utilities where your project is going to be placed. If you have any questions call 1-800- call before you dig. (Your local #).
4. When setting your forms make sure your stakes are in the ground far enough to hold your form straight and upright.
5. Use wire mesh, or rebar, or fiber in the concrete for strength and help minimize concrete cracking.
6. If your project is not a place that a truck can have access too, you need at least 14' High and 10' wide and ground hard enough to hold 40 to 80,000 lbs of weight which is 6 to 14 times heavier than your pick-up truck.
Then you will have to:
A. use wheelbarrows, make sure they are construction grade (6 cu. ft) and not a Garden style. Garden style will hold the weight of the concrete.
B. Motorized concrete buggy / Skid Loader
C. Concrete Pump
7. Make sure you have enough help to place the concrete, you have a short time to place your concrete in order to finish it properly.
In all situations keep in mind of the time limits for, the concrete placing, and the concrete truck time limits. Most companies allow 30 minutes to 1 hour before they either recall the truck or start charging a wait fee that can range from $90.00 per hr to $120.00 per hr.
When screeding your concrete , tip your screed back about 1/8" that is to allow the rocks in the concrete to roll under the screed where as if you held your screed flat you will drag the rocks and it will not finish as well. You may use a sawing motion back and forth pulling forward together with the person on the other side to achieve a smoother finish also.
Once you have screeded your concrete take your bull float and slide it across slowly and uniformly to seal the top of the concrete and bring the paste to the top of your finish. Then when your concrete starts to set and dry for a period usually when you can not see any surface water on the top, then take your edger and edge your project. After that has been completed take your string line or straight edge and place a mark on the wet concrete where you want your control joints to be. Make sure that when your grooves are cut in the concrete that they are at least 25% into the thickness of the concrete in order to help control the cracking when it occurs.
You should be able to finish your concrete at this point with your finish tools and the last thing is too lightly broom your project to keep someone from slipping. Do not drop your broom on the concrete, lightly place the broom on the concrete and hold some of the broom weight and see how deep of a brooming action takes place if it is not deep enough then let a little more weight rested on the concrete and do this until your broom is leaving just enough marks in the concrete that you can see them.
All the tools and equipment you will need for your project are available at our U-Turn Rental Store.
|
|
