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How to Pour Concrete

Here are tips and instructions on working with concrete. Take the time to read these directions thoroughly; following them can save you time and effort. It can also help you end up with a neater, more satisfactory installation - with far less waste. In this document you will find information about:

Tools and Materials


  STEP 1 - Estimating the Materials Needed

Use the concrete calculator to figure the number of cubic yards of concrete required to pour a concrete slab.

  STEP 2 - Building the Forms for Pouring Concrete

Almost any concrete job requires some type of form. In some cases, forms are built above the ground while others require digging. Dig down to the desired level (Fig. 1), and build forms to the shape and size needed for the concrete job you are starting. Use temporary posts to establish the proper grade or slope of the concrete. Nail the stakes lightly to the forms used (Fig. 1), or clamp the forms temporarily to the stakes with a "C" clamp. Use a level to ensure that you have the proper grade or slope of the concrete form. After the proper grade has been set, drive in permanent stakes and nail the form to the stakes.

Build forms to the shape and size needed for your job. FIG. 1 - Build forms to the shape and size needed for your job.

  STEP 3 - Pouring Concrete

After the forms are set, spray the entire area lightly with a garden hose, then pour in the concrete. After the form is filled, tamp the freshly poured concrete to compact it. Use a tamper, or put on rubber boots and walk around the poured concrete area to make sure it is compacted around the edges. Small concrete areas can be compacted with a 2x4. For larger areas, you may want to rent roller tampers. After the concrete in the form has been thoroughly tamped, use a straightedged 2x4 as a screed for leveling the concrete (Fig. 2). Work the 2x4 back and forth in sawing fashion to level the concrete at all points across the form. Purchase a magnesium concrete rake with an extension handle to level concrete in hard-to-reach places. When the concrete has set sufficiently to support a 2x8 plank, use the plank as a straightedge to guide a groover (Fig. 3) to cut contraction joints (Fig. 4). Contraction joints are necessary to allow hardened concrete to expand and contract in extreme temperatures. On sidewalks or other narrow concrete areas, contraction joints should be cut every 4' to 6'. On patios or other large concrete areas, expansion joints should be cut in each direction every 4' to 6'. Use two lengths of beveled clapboard placed in the position shown in Fig. 5 to cut these joints. Drive a nail into the top of one board and paint both boards with motor oil. The boards should then be embedded in the concrete, as shown in Fig. 5. After the concrete begins to set, the board with the nail in the top can be removed, leaving the second board hidden. This provides an adequate contraction joint for a large expanse of concrete.

Build forms to the shape and size needed for your job. FIG. 2 - Use a straightedged 2x4 to level the concrete.
Use a 2x8 plank as a straightedge to guide a concrete groover. FIG. 3 - Use a 2x8 plank as a straightedge to guide a concrete groover.
Draw the groover along the edge of a 2 x 8 to create contraction joints. FIG. 4 - Draw the groover along the edge of a 2 x 8 to create contraction joints.
Create expansion joints on large concrete areas by using clapboard siding. FIG. 5 - Create expansion joints on large concrete areas by using clapboard siding.

  STEP 4 - Reinforcing Concrete

In some cases, concrete needs reinforcement steel or with steel mesh (Fig. 6). You can use reinforcing rebar or regular fencing material with 2' x 4' or 2' x 6' mesh. If the pressure on the concrete is to come from the top of the slab, the reinforcement should be laid deep near the bottom of the slab. If the strong point of the slab is at the center and the pressure will come on either end, the reinforcement should be laid as close to the top of the slab as possible. Rebar Chairs may have to be used to support the rebar during the pour.

Wire-reinforcing mesh is used to strengthen some concrete. FIG. 6 - Wire-reinforcing mesh is used to strengthen some concrete.

  STEP 5 - Differenct Ways to Finish Concrete

You can give concrete a smooth finish with a trowel and a float (Fig. 9). The float will smooth out the concrete on the first rubbing. A trowel (Fig. 10) is used to give the concrete a finishing touch. You can create a light, swirled pattern by holding a steel trowel flat against the surface of the slab and moving it around in a swirling motion. Do this the last time you trowel the concrete. For a heavier swirling pattern, use a wood float instead of a trowel and do the swirling while the concrete is still fairly wet. Create a soft pattern of parallel lines by dragging a soft brush straight across a moderately wet surface (Fig. 11). To achieve heavy lines, drag the softbrush across while the surface is still wet. For light-textured parallel lines, trowel the concrete and allow it to dry slightly before dragging the brush across (Fig. 11).

Use an ordinary broom to create a very attractive and practical pattern in concrete (Fig. 11). This technique provides a rough finish that makes the concrete surface much safer when wet. You can make all brush strokes in the same direction, or each block between contraction joints can be brushed in opposite directions for a unique appearance.

Use an ordinary garage floor brush to create attractive wavy patterns in newly laid concrete. The wavy patterns enhance the appearance and make the surface safer when wet. You can create a flagstone pattern by tooling the concrete after it has been leveled off with a darby or float. To make the flagstone pattern, use an 18" length of 1/2" or 3/4" copper pipe that is slightly bent (Fig. 12).

Trowel and brush the concrete surface lightly after the flagstone pattern has been created in the wet concrete. There are also forms available for concrete that will create a flagstone walk. These work extremely well for smaller projects. For larger areas a relatively new concrete stamping process creates the same look on driveways and patios. Contractors, due to the cost of the equipment needed, normally do this concrete stamping.

Whatever pattern you choose to create, remember, the pattern should not trap water and cause it to stand on the concrete. Standing water is one of the major causes for concrete failure. Special colorants are available for concrete. When added to the concrete mix, these colorants can make concrete look like red brick or any number of other materials. Concrete can be colored to accent the color of your home.

Use a wooden float to smooth the concrete prior to finishing the surface FIG. 7 - Use a wooden float to smooth the concrete prior to finishing the surface
Use a steel finishing trowel to give the concrete a smooth, even surface FIG. 8 - Use a steel finishing trowel to give the concrete a smooth, even surface
Different brooms will create different finishes on concrete surfaces. FIG. 9 - Different brooms will create different finishes on concrete surfaces.
Use a copper pipe that is slightly bent to create a flagstone pattern. FIG. 10 - Use a 1/2" or 3/4" copper pipe that is slightly bent to create a flagstone pattern.

  STEP 6 - Letting the Concrete Cure

All concrete must be given time to cure. During this period, the concrete surface should be kept wet by repeated hosing with a fine mist. This hosing process should be done at least twice during any 24-hour period for about three days after the concrete is poured. Concrete poured indoors can be left exposed. However, you should place a guard rail around the area to keep any child or animal from walking on the surface until it is dry.

Concrete laid in the open air or in direct sunlight should be covered with burlap, roofing felt or building paper during the curing period. Remove this protective covering before wetting the concrete.

Never attempt a big concrete job on an extremely hot day. Concrete sets extremely fast in direct sunshine. It's better to wait until mid-afternoon–even if this means you must work late into the evening.

You can improve the looks of the concrete and make it last longer by sealing the concrete after it has thoroughly cured. Sealers can either be clear or colored. Some coatings have an additive that provides better traction on the concrete surface. Be careful when choosing the coatings and sealers. Some are extremely slippery when wet and should not be used outside.