Things to Do/Consider Before Starting a DIY Concrete Project

by TRP Ready Mix on November 10, 2020

Tips For Ensuring a Successful Concrete Project

Whether you’re new to handling concrete or you have a few years of experience under your tool belt, you must always take into account the fact that concrete projects are intricate, time-consuming, and complicated, as well as time-sensitive. It takes a lot of skill, patience, and finesse to see them through flawlessly, and it cannot be stressed enough that time is of the essence. This article will explain what you need to know before embarking on your new concrete project, while providing tips on how to make the process as smooth as possible.

What You Need To Know Before Starting Your Concrete Project

Budget

This is a very important factor when it comes to outlining any type of project, but in construction, concrete, or brick-laying, it’s even more crucial. Make sure you know exactly how much money you can spend on this project and where all funds are going to. Whether it’s concrete, vessels to mix in, tools, permits, or any other equipment you’ll need for your project, or knowing how much the landowners are willing to spend on building detailing such as window and door frames, gutters and other essentials, budgeting is a vital part of keeping organized.

Timeline

Whether your concrete project is a large-scale construction or it’s simply an at-home DIY art project, working with concrete is extremely time-sensitive, so having a timeline is essential to make sure the entire process goes smoothly. Map out what you want to achieve in your project and how much time it will take for the concrete to dry every step of the way. With a timeline and extra organization, you can avoid any unfortunate accidents that may occur while laying out the concrete.

Permits

Building and land permits are a concern and should not be overlooked, especially before committing to a concrete application. You don’t want to go through a lot of work then get fined for laying concrete in a place where you would’ve needed a permit. Avoid hefty costs by consulting with your contractor on details of obtaining a permit before starting a project.

Residential Exploration of Worksite

If your concrete project involves the construction of a building, be sure to explore all possible factors of your worksite in advance. The location of your building will determine a number of things: the building codes that have to be followed and any geographical or climatic differences to be mindful of. Taking notes of such factors will undoubtedly save you lots of stress come building time.

Know Your Products And The Process

Study the process of laying concrete so that you know how to avoid getting yourself in messy situations. What type of concrete are you dealing with? What will it look like once it’s dry? How will the weather of the day affect its laying? Also, familiarize yourself with safety measures and gear you should wear while working with concrete (tall rubber boots, gloves, and eye coverings). Also familiarize yourself with the dos and don’ts of concrete pouring.

The Importance Of High-Quality Concrete

Concrete is made up of only water, cement, and aggregate, but it doesn’t mean that its quality standards need to be compromised. Especially if your project is one of the construction nature, the quality of the concrete you use is essential for the quality and the durability of your project. You want concrete that stands up to weather and resists wear or tear. You also want a concrete that has a longer lifespan than those of inferior quality. And finally, make sure that your concrete is laid on thick – the quality of finished concrete depends on the thickness during the laying process.

Foundation

Foundation prep comes after exploring the site of which your larger-scale project will take place, as well as figuring out the budget and how much concrete you will actually need. If your project is smaller scale, you will need to create a slab foundation – a large, thick slab of concrete that is typically 4”-6” thick in the center and poured directly on the ground all at one time. For buildings or larger projects, you will need beams to create a strong structure. Go for boards that have a 2×12 thickness for smaller projects, such as garage additions or pavements.

Framing

Framing is important, so that the concrete stays where it’s supposed to rather than spilling out. Be sure to factor in an appropriate frame for your concrete project while you’re building your foundation. Use beams for this as well.

Reinforcements

Reinforcements are essential for reinforced concrete. Reinforcements are used in the form of embedded steel so that the two materials may act together in resisting forces. For reinforcements, steel in the form of rods, bars, or mesh are used to absorb the tensile, shear, and compress in a concrete structure. This is how concrete tiling or paving is also formed.

Finishing

Be sure to also learn about the process of finishing. Concrete does not merely set, you need to smooth it out either by hand with a shorter smoother (also called a hand float) or with a larger tool called a bull float. Don’t forget to round out the edges to create a perfect and strong finish. Not finishing your concrete can cause destruction to your project.

Concrete Maintenance

Maintaining concrete is vital, especially when it comes to the weather. Concrete might be waterproof, but it is also porous, which means it can stain easily if not sealed properly. So, to keep your concrete looking good, seal it after it’s dried and finished using either a penetration or a topical sealer. Don’t forget to reapply the sealer every couple of years to keep your concrete project looking like new. During this time, keep others away from it until the sealer has fully dried.

For any successful project, make sure your concrete usage is optimal in terms of execution.

Though this article is meant to help you understand the effort that goes behind creating an ideal concrete mixture for a flawless finish, we highly recommend you seek help from a professional supplier to ensure that your concrete mixture will create a structure you can feel secure with and be proud of. Stay safe and stay smart!