7 Tips For Pouring A Concrete Slab

Pouring a concrete pad or slab in your yard can be done on your own with some time, effort, and a little knowledge. This video gives a few tips and tricks about pouring a concrete slab on your own that can be very helpful, especially if you are new to working with concrete or don't work with concrete very often.
Remove all of the grass from the area you will be pouring concrete before you get started. Grass is organic which deteriorates and rots. Once the grass has rotted away from under the concrete there is empty space where the grass used to be and that area of the concrete will no longer be supported and could fail early because the lack of supporting structure.
Using a compacted, uniform substrate under the concrete slab will give the pad much better overall support. The ground materials (rocks and dirt, etc.) move at different paces and if the concrete cannot move at the same differing rates then it will likely crack or break. There are different materials that can be used as substrate such as sand, screenings (crushed gravel), clean gravel, and more. One important thing to remember about using a substrate is to compact it well to minimize the movement of this foundation for the concrete.
You could add steel to the concrete to add tensile strength to the finished slab. Whether you use wire mesh or rebar, adding steel adds strength. The steel needs to be completely encapsulated within the concrete; it cannot be fully under the concrete or at the top of the concrete. Steel not embedded properly into the concrete will not be able to lend the intended strength.
The last thing you do before pouring the concrete is to soak the (all of the substrate and anywhere concrete is going) with water thoroughly. Concrete is more likely to crack if poured onto a dry surface than a wet surface because concrete needs water to cure properly and to full strength.

Referral links to products featured in Creating Concrete videos - As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

https://amzn.to/3vtmang – interlock stone mold

https://amzn.to/3VIEmDX – universal mold release

https://amzn.to/3TQ9e30 – silicone mold release

https://amzn.to/3J7Q2II – sonite sealing wax

https://amzn.to/4cDYz3T – Quikcrete red pigment

https://amzn.to/4cIlDOK – Quikcrete brown pigment

https://amzn.to/43EuVHL – Quikcrete charcoal pigment

https://amzn.to/3J0MLee – Quikcrete bonding adhesive (PVA)

https://amzn.to/3xlzwlW – Quikcrete bonding adhesive 4L (PVA)

https://amzn.to/4aiGGGg – Sika acrylic fortifier 4L

https://amzn.to/3vqjdUw – Drylok hydraulic cement

https://amzn.to/3J3aDhv – Bosch mortar mixing drill

https://amzn.to/4aiwQUS – 4.5" diamond cup wheel

https://amzn.to/4aisWvb – mortar mixing paddle whip

https://amzn.to/49nsDOq – Budget mortar mixer and paddle

https://amzn.to/4ayjR1z – Sea sponge set for texturing

https://amzn.to/3xvpE96 – Masonry / grout sponges

https://amzn.to/3TGrZ8H – Marshalltown margin trowel (rubber grip)

https://amzn.to/3VEhntP – Marshalltown margin trowel (wood grip)

https://amzn.to/3xujXbx – Marshalltown point trowel (rubber grip)

https://amzn.to/3TCp9Se – Marshalltown point trowel (wood grip)

https://amzn.to/4ale5A4 – Marshalltown 12" square trowel

https://amzn.to/4aEsUNI – 16" pool trowel set

https://amzn.to/43H3cpO – powdered concrete pigments

https://amzn.to/4avz2Is – fine sponge float

https://amzn.to/4cFsYPi – 5 gallon mixing bucket

https://amzn.to/4cyIKeG – bulk acrylic paint set

https://amzn.to/4aB9oBU – airbrush and compressor kit

https://amzn.to/3U29Y6c – high range water reducer

https://amzn.to/3TGModV – fiberglass reinforcement 3/4" strands

https://amzn.to/4cEd87w – alkalai resistant chopped glass fibers 3/4"

https://amzn.to/3J0YzNR – perlite 4 cubic foot bag (coarse)

https://amzn.to/3xiCYxI – vermiculite 4 cubic foot bag (coarse)

https://amzn.to/43H2xV8 – Aircrete FM-160 liquid foam maker

https://amzn.to/4aHPFk9 – RTV 100% silicone (10 pack)

https://amzn.to/3VKbWcS – Smooth-On Vytaflex 30 urethane rubber

https://amzn.to/3xiEhg6 – Smooth-On skin safe liquid silicone rubber

https://amzn.to/3VE04cj – slate texture skin

https://amzn.to/3J0QEAb – bluestone texture skin

https://amzn.to/3xmZfdR – basalt texture skin

https://amzn.to/4aFjSQE – Variable speed wet grinder step sanding kit

https://amzn.to/43I090s – 4.5 cubic foot cement barrel mixer 0.5hp

#CreatingConcrete #concreteslab #DIYconcrete #concrete

Видео 7 Tips For Pouring A Concrete Slab канала Creating Concrete