When planning a project that involves working with concrete, whether it be a narrow sidewalk down the side of the house or a patio off the house, be sure you have plenty of room to do the work.
Keep tools, materials and any other conveniences near by, due to, when you start mixing and pouring concrete, you will need to complete a phase of work before you continue on. So, plan out what you think you can accomplish in a given time frame, take a break and get ready to get going again. If, your lucky enough to have lots of help, a big job may go fairly smooth.
There are a lot of procedures that need to take place prior to pouring any concrete. Here is a mini guideline you can use:
- Clean out the area of work of any unneeded debris or dirt and level the area to the depth needed.
- Form out the shape of the work using wooden frame work and stakes. Be sure to level the forms or slightly slope the slab of concrete away from any structure.
- A good idea is to put medium size rock down first as a strength bed.
- You have the option of putting welded wire or re-bar inside the concrete for strength.
- Have a path leading into the forms, which will end up as the exit or end of the pour
As previously mentioned, gather all the stuff you are going to use close by so it goes smoothly.
Here’s a quick list of tools and accessories :
- Carpentry tools – hammer, nails, wood forms, power saw, levels, string line
- Wheel Barrel
- Variety of Trowels – top finish, edge finish, seam line
- Buckets of water
- Garden tools and hose
- Broom (to create rough finish)
- Plenty of drinking water
- Apparel – boots, gloves, knee pads, eye protection and a hat for any hot sun you may have.