Over the past 10 years, there has been a substantial rise in the amount of people undertaking their own home improvement projects. Whether it’s renovating a bathroom, building a new driveway, or remodelling their kitchen, DIY home improvement projects save heaps of money and are generally lots of fun! The secret to getting it right though is to understand which jobs you can do yourself, and which jobs you’ll need some additional help.
One of my favourite DIY undertakings is pouring a concrete slab, whether it’s to be used as a pool deck, patio, driveway, or you’re replacing timber floors. Concrete is an excellent building material however it’s paramount that homeowners get the process right the first time to save them from starting again! If you’re interested in pouring a concrete slab by yourself, today we’ll be offering you our top 5 DIY concrete pouring mistakes to avoid.
- Substandard ground preparation
It’s crucial that the ground and surface area beneath the concrete slab is thoroughly prepared to stop contamination by underlying soil and materials. A uniform layer of manufactured sand, compacted stone, or crusher dust is required to suck in moisture and protect the concrete from contamination. A customary mistake that homeowners make is not hosing down and moistening the sub surface before pouring the concrete on hot days. Shrinkage and separation cracking can easily transpire if fresh concrete is poured on a dusty and hot surface.
- Uneven formwork
Reliable formwork is fundamental to the success of your concrete slab. Not only does formwork hold the concrete in position so it doesn’t overflow into other areas, but it also influences the appearance of the finished concrete slab. Though it can be complicated to create formwork and position it correctly in the excavated area, it’s a crucial step that must be carried out correctly. Uneven formwork can have some major consequences so if you can’t do this properly on your own, it’s best to look for help elsewhere.
- Inadequate curing time
Although concrete commonly hardens within a day or two after the pour, it needs plenty of time to cure which can take at least seven days. Concrete needs to cultivate strength and durability by sustaining moisture and temperature conditions and leaving your concrete subjected to the elements can affect how the compounds bond together. Regardless of whether you use water from your garden hose, tarps, or a curing compound, your concrete slabs needs to be sheltered by maintaining the ideal temperature and moisture until it has cured.
- Not using enough reinforcement
It’s extremely important that homeowners add reinforcement to their concrete slab to make certain it remains in one piece for many years in the future. Although concrete is normally strong, it has low tensile strength and reinforcement boosts the total strength of the surface and holds the concrete together if it starts to crack. The most convenient way is to use plastic, glass, or metal fibres mixed in the concrete before it gets poured, but even rebar and steel mesh produces reliable reinforcement too.
- Incorrect mix
Another standard mistake made by homeowners is putting excess water in the concrete mix which results in curing complications. The water to concrete ratio is very specific and ultimately your wet concrete should be smooth but not chunky, dry, or runny. It’s easier for homeowners to add excess water simply because softer concrete is easier to manage. Too much water in the concrete mix decreases the strength of the concrete so always stick to the manufacturer’s suggestions concerning the concrete mix.
Concrete is a low-maintenance, weather resistant, and durable building material which is readily used all across the globe. For homeowners embarking on DIY projects with concrete, it’s essential that they get the technique right the first time to ensure their concrete slab stays in good shape for many years to come.
If you have any more questions concerning the correct way to pour a concrete slab, talk with the formwork specialists at Uni-Span by phoning their team on 1300 882 825.
Formwork and Scaffolding | Uni-Span 