In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the common mistakes made during the concrete pouring process and how to avoid them. Whether you're attempting a DIY concrete pouring job or simply trying to find an ideal concrete finisher based on their pouring methods and processes, understanding some of the no-no's in concrete pouring will be a major asset here.
At Lift Right Concrete, we regularly explain to our clients how improper concrete pouring is a top cause of cracks and the other damage types we're called on to provide residential and commercial concrete repair services for. What are some of the other pouring mistakes that are commonly made, and how can you be sure to avoid them in any concrete pouring situation? Here are some areas to keep an eye on.
One of the simplest mistakes here, but also an easy one to avoid: Pouring concrete in improper weather or temperature ranges. Extremely hot or cold temperatures are not ideal for concrete pouring, and will impact the way it sets. Pouring while too hot leads to hardening issues; pouring when it's too cold will cause the concrete to lose major amounts of strength if it freezes before curing.
Not only should you pour in moderate temperatures, you should not do so during rain, which can ruin many forms of concrete mixture. For this reason, you should both check the weather in advance and confirm that tarps and other covers are on-hand in case unexpected weather shows up.
Even if your concrete is mixed perfectly, the slab itself will not be ideal if the forms that hold it are not accurate. These forms are put in place before any forming begins, holding the wet concrete together while it dries and allowing for the ideal structure – these should be double-checked before the actual pouring begins to ensure they're perfectly placed.
In addition, forms should never be removed before the concrete has finished curing. This process often takes at least 48 hours, but inexperienced finishers may remove the forms earlier because they think the surface is dry or want to see what it looks like on its own – this is a mistake that will lead to weaker concrete that's more likely to sink.
Finally, concrete slabs need to go through several finishing processes, including screeding, edging and floating, for high-quality final products. Without these processes, the surface will be rough and uneven, plus may deal with air bubbles forming that make cracks and damage more likely from the jump.
For more on the common mistakes made during the concrete pouring process, or to learn about any of our concrete lifting and leveling services, speak to the staff at Lift Right Concrete today.
