6 Primary Steps Involved in Concrete Installation
01 December 2022One construction material that is regularly maximised in construction projects is concrete. Concrete is a composite material comprised of cement or lime, fine and coarse aggregate, water, and others in specific amounts. These elements allow concrete to resist weather elements, withstand heavy loads, regulate temperatures, and keep carbon footprints down.
All these features make concrete the best material for constructing floors, driveways, walkways, patios, decks, and many more. But before maximising the benefits of concrete, it should be installed by professionals first. Here are some steps involved in concrete installation.
1. Prepare the Site
The first step in the concrete installation is to prepare the site. Contractors cannot pour the concrete on a project site if it has not been assessed and prepped optimally. Failure to prepare the site, after all, can lead to heaving from expansive ground. It can also minimise the effectiveness and durability of the concrete. To prepare the site, contractors have to use tools to remove grass, rocks, trees, and other elements until the bare earth is exposed. A sub-base of fill gravel can then be placed to make the ground compact and stable.
2. Set the Forms
Setting the concrete forms is the next thing that must be done after preparing the site. The forms can be comprised of wood or metal, which must then be attached to the stakes with screws. This composition allows contractors to remove them once the concrete has cured.
3. Mix the Concrete
The next step in the concrete installation is to mix the concrete elements with water. Mixing them appropriately is necessary to avoid compromising the quality of the concrete structure. A concrete mixer can be used to mix concrete elements faster. But for small projects, a wheelbarrow and shovel can already do the trick.
4. Pour the Wet Mixture
After mixing the concrete elements thoroughly, the mixture can now be poured into the forms that have been set up earlier. Rakes, shovels, and other similar tools must be used to set the concrete evenly, preventing any voids or air pockets from existing.
5. Polish the Concrete
Finishing is necessary when dealing with concrete installation as it may not be levelled or smoothened right away. Finishing touches must be carried out by screeding the top of the newly poured concrete with a large metal or wood board. Compacting the concrete is also necessary to even out high or low areas of the mixture as well as generate a smooth concrete finish. Remember, however, that additional trowelling is needed if the concrete surface will be smooth towelled or stamped for the final finishing. Concrete structures that will boast a rough broom finish, alternatively, do not require any additional finishing.
6. Let the Concrete Cure
The last step in the concrete installation is to let the concrete rest and cure. The curing process of concrete can last for a month. And to ensure that the concrete can cure evenly and slowly, the concrete structure must be applied with a liquid chemical curing and sealing product. Doing this can protect the concrete from cracks, surface discolouration, and curling.
The concrete structure can be used for light foot traffic after four days, while one should wait for at least a week before they can drive and park their car on the newly installed concrete. If you need some help with concrete services, you can contact us at Cycon Monero Group.
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