What Could Go Wrong With Concrete DIY Projects
Before doing the concrete installation yourself, be aware that each DIY concrete job has practical, cosmetic, and safety problems. The fact is that compared to other home exterior improvements, concrete demands significantly more knowledge and experience. To minimize weaker concrete and the unavoidable need for a redo, appropriate planning, and the required supplies and equipment are essential. To be safe and avoid a DIY disaster, you must carefully avoid the following things.
Not Preparing Adequately
When pouring concrete yourself, the most frequent problem is a lack of preparation. Taking the shovel out of the shed and making room is merely the first step in the task. Everything is contingent upon how ready that place is to receive a ton of concrete. If you are inexperienced, there is a possibility to forget important details, such as the blocking that enables a smooth, even pour, such as not packing the dirt with a plate compactor, not leveling the surface sufficiently, or failing to build up correct forms. Pouring concrete involves a complex process.
Concrete is Too Wet or Too Dry
Too wet concrete is the most typical concrete error. If this is the case, the strength of the concrete will diminish. Furthermore, too dry concrete is also undesirable. Concrete’s main component requires enough moisture to cure properly and with full strength. If three trowel strokes on a sample pile of concrete don’t produce a smooth, moist, muddy surface, your concrete is definitely too dry.
Utilizing Old Cement
The main component of concrete is cement. For any project you care about, never use cement or a just-add-water concrete mix that is older than a year. Concrete should not be made with any cement, even fresh cement with firm lumps. The presence of firm lumps in cement suggests that it has occasionally become wet and has lost part of its capacity to solidify.
If you are planning to do a concrete installation project, the best action is to hire a concrete contractor like BHS Structures to do the job. We have highly trained professionals in Port Orchard, WA who can provide you with the best results. Call us now at (360) 857-0748!