Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
com
Page 1 of 11
How-To Shop Home & Garden Flowers & Plants Automotive Electronics Deals & Coupons Collectibles & Art Sports & Outdoors Office Products Computers Magazines Health & Beauty Food & Wine Buyer's Guides Videos Forums Find a Contractor Login Register username: password: remember me? Log in cancel AC, Heating & Ventilation Automotive Repair Crafts & Recreation Decorating Electrical & Lighting Exterior Home Improvement Gardening & Patio Hardware & Tools Household & Cleaning Interior Home Improvement Painting Plumbing Interactive Room Designer
community forums
Featuring over 100 topics of interest to DoItYourselfers. Home How-To Information Exterior Home Improvement Building Materials Concrete How to Pour Concrete
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2pourconcrete
23-May-11
Page 2 of 11
ShareThis Print this Add Your Own Project comments 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 installationwith far less waste. In this document you will find information about: Determining the Type of Concrete to Use Mixing Your Own Concrete Estimating the Materials Needed Building the Forms for Pouring Concrete Pouring Concrete Reinforcing Concrete Different Ways to Finish Concrete Letting the Concrete Cure
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2pourconcrete
23-May-11
Page 3 of 11
Although the ingredients in concrete are always the same, the finished results depend on the proper mix of the four elements. The proper mix of ingredients is determined by the intended use of the concrete. For foundations and retaining walls, use about 6-1/4 gallons of water for each sack of cement if the sand is damp. However, if the sand is wet, 5-1/2 gallons of water will easily do the job. Concrete that's mixed for pouring sidewalks, stepping stones, slabs, etc., requires about 5-3/4 gallons of water per sack of cement if the sand is damp and about 5 gallons if the sand is wet. If you are pouring heavy footings for walls where waterproofing is not a factor, mix the concrete with 1 part cement, 3 parts sand and 4 parts gravel. For sidewalks, steps, driveways, etc., use 1 part Portland cement, 2 parts sand and 3 parts gravel. For small jobs, you can measure the ingredients using an ordinary galvanized or plastic pail. A wooden box measuring 12" x 12" x 12" can give you an accurate measurement for 1 cubic foot of sand or concrete. Nail 3/4" half-round to one side of the box at carefully measured points. This will allow you to measure 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 of a cubic foot. Always follow the mixing instructions on the bag when mixing your concrete.
Multiply the length of the area by the width to determine the area's square footage
Area in square feet (length x width) Thickness in inches 4 5 6 8 12 50 0.62 0.77 0.93 1.2 1.9 100 1.2 1.5 1.9 2.5 3.7 200 2.5 3.1 3.7 4.9 7.4 300 3.7 4.7 5.6 7.4 11.1 400 4.9 6.2 7.4 9.8 14.8 500 6.2 7.2 9.3 12.4 18.6 To use this table, multiply the length by the width of the area you plan to cover with concrete. This gives you the square footage of the area. Now, refer to the number of square feet and the thickness in inches of the slab you plan to pour. The figure on the appropriate line shows the number of cubic yards of concrete you'll need to do the job. For example, if you are planning to pour a patio that's 10' x 14', you have a total of 140 square feet. Suppose you plan to pour the patio slab 5" thick. Consult the tableyou'll find that 100 square feet of a slab this thick requires 1.5 cubic yards of concrete and an additional 50 square feet would require .77 cubic yards. Therefore, you would need 2.27 cubic yards of concrete to pour the slab.
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2pourconcrete
23-May-11
Page 4 of 11
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 straight-edged 2x4 as a screed for leveling the concrete. 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 to cut contraction joints. 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 to cut these joints.
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2pourconcrete
23-May-11
Page 5 of 11
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 the image to the right. 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.
REINFORCING CONCRETE
In some cases, concrete needs reinforcement with steel mesh. You can use 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.
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2pourconcrete
23-May-11
Page 6 of 11
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. 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 relative 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.
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2pourconcrete
23-May-11
Page 7 of 11
Level Hatchet Grover Line Concrete Hoe 2x4s and Other Material for Forms Rubber Boots Reinforcing Mesh Garden Hose Darby or Float Tiling Spade Long 2x4s for Screed Brush or Broom Plastic or Galvanized Pail Edger Line Level Trowel
Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Information in this document has been furnished by the National Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document. Ask for Other "Show-How" Instruction Sheets Additional easy-to-use instruction sheets for home do-it-yourself projects are available from your local supplier of materials. Come in and ask for "Show-How" instructions when you get ready for that next handyman project!
leave a comment
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2pourconcrete
23-May-11
Page 8 of 11
Member Comments
Sign in or Register to leave a comment. If you have a question you would like answered, please visit our Community Forums. Lookn4help posted Jun 21, 2009 demfaunt, I apologize for my lack of 'it', but I don't quite understand where the two expanses of clapboard are located. Are they stacked, with the embeded one remaining below the expansion joint? report this demfaunt posted Feb 15, 2009 From the Admin: I've gone ahead and made the correction. Please refer to the image on the right of the instruction for further assistance. report this jmikie78070 posted Feb 10, 2009 The section on cutting expansion joints is confusing. I pasted it in below- example one sentence just abruptly ends with as shown in - - - then nothing else. The pictures do not make sense on what to do here with the wood that has been painted with motor oil. ************ '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 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. (shown in what????) report this
Related Articles
Casting Molds For Concrete Columns
A cast concrete column is one of the molded concrete items that have become popu... more How Concrete Fasteners Work Concrete Floor Covering Options Understanding the Basics of Concrete Strength
DoItYourself.com on Facebook
Like 3,261
on Twitter
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2pourconcrete
23-May-11
Page 9 of 11
Related Videos
How to Build a Foundation from Start to Finish This video was taken during a bedroom addition project in Rocky Hill CT. See every... watch video
How to Finish Concrete A step-by-step guide through the process of finishing concrete.... watch video
How to Pour a Concrete Driveway Home improvement expert, Danny Lipford, explains how to go about pouring a concrete driveway for... watch video
Related Products
WCPS2 - Hanover Lantern Lighting - Accessory - Stainless Steel Concrete Pour Kit $112.89 to $143.00
WCP5 - Hanover Lantern Lighting - Accessory - PVC Concrete Pour Kit $67.74 to $85.80
Search Products
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2pourconcrete
23-May-11
Page 10 of 11
Sponsored Ads
Concrete Concrete Slab Cost Concrete Floor Paint Stamped Concrete Patio Pour Concrete Driveway Concrete Expansion Joints
Backyard Bombshell
updated by MDEJPJ July 12, 2010 previous|next Submit Your Project DoItYourself.com, founded in 1995, is the leading independent home improvement and repair website. We welcome your comments and suggestions. All information is provided "AS IS." Website operating problems contact . Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Copyright 1995-2010 DoItYourself.com Inc. All rights reserved. You may freely link to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms and conditions of use. View our Privacy Policy here.
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2pourconcrete
23-May-11
Page 11 of 11
| Advertise | Find a Contractor | Interactive How-to's | About Us | Careers | Terms | Privacy Policy | Site Map
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2pourconcrete
23-May-11