How to finish a concrete slab, or at least this is how I did it.
This is the final video for the DIY sinking driveway repair series.
I hope you find something useful in this video when looking to do your own concrete project. If nothing else, maybe entertaining or gives you a good night sleep.
Finishing concrete is an art as well as a science, a beautiful material.
How much concrete will you need for your project?
(1) Convert the numbers in feet into decimal feet.
To do this convert the measurement to inches and divide by 12
For example: (using my measurements)
Slab length: 21' 21 x 12 = 252 inches
252 / 12 = 21 decimal feet
Slab width: 9' 9 x 12 = 108 inches
108 / 12 = 9 decimal feet
(2) Multiply the length times the width and then multiply this product by the height measurement to find the total volume or cubic feet you need to fill with concrete.
21 decimal feet long x 9 decimal feet wide = 189 decimal feet (also square feet)
5" / 12 = 0.416
CONCRETE ORDERING TIPS:
A concrete dispatcher may help you order if you give your dimensions and order at least a couple days before the work begins.
ALWAYS add 10% more to the order to account for waste.
My slab example using 10% more: 23 x 10 x 0.416 = 96 cubic feet (3.55 cubic yards of concrete)
• For freeze thaw environments consider air entrainment of at least 6%.
• Avoid rainy days.
• Avoid hot and windy days if possible - use an evaporation retardant on hot days.
• Use a set retarding admixture if you need more finishing time.
• Carefully consider calcium chloride especially with rebar.
• "6 1/2 bag mix" or 4000lb (for outdoor slabs)
• Low slump range of 4 - 5"
(consider a superplasticizer for slump past 4" on slabs with lots of rebar, it causes concrete to be workable without adding too much water.)
Calcium Chloride:
When a temperature drops below 70°, concrete setting begins to slow down. This effect is most apparent in the 30° to 50° temperature range so the increased setting time using this additive will be effective around the colder months.
Just be aware that in contributes to the corrosion of reinforcing steel. (That being said, there are also chloride free accelerator's.)
Air entrainment for freeze thaw environments of 4 to 6%. Less then 4 is probably useless & beyond 5% is getting no serious benefit but it is a good range.
If you pour concrete in a hot, dry, windy environment, an evaporation retardant ad mixture will help keep the moisture inside the concrete and help prevent plastic shrinkage cracks.
I have done my best to research, learn and provide information to you on how to finish a concrete slab from start to finish as a DIY concrete project.
Leave comments below if you would like.
I/we could always use additional helpful tips or useful constructive criticism on the methods shown here for the concrete work.
This was my first time doing concrete, so I understand that there may be, or are errors in the information provided in the video.
Always seek professional advice and check multiple sources as a DIY video will not cover all information or circumstances.
TOOLS:
Garden hose
Wheelbarrow
Shovel
Snap line
PVC boots
Gloves that will not absorb concrete
Screed
Magnesium bull float (two types to try out)
Wooden darby
Edger
Magnesium hand float
Groover with extension
Steel trowel
Concrete membrane sealer
Concrete broom
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