Building A Patio? How To Prepare For The Concrete Work
Posted on: 22 June 2022
If you have plans for some winter concreting work, now's the time to get prepared. Your concrete contractor will do most of the work, including the concrete pouring. There are still some things you need to do though. This is especially true if you want to reduce the costs and improve the results. If you're not sure how to prepare for your concrete project, read the information provided here. You'll find several tips to help you through the process.
Prepare the Soil
If you're ready to build a concrete patio on your property, the first thing you need to do is prepare the soil. You might think that you can pour concrete directly onto raw soil, but that's not the case. You actually need to prep the area before you pour the concrete. If your soil is rich with organic material, you need to dig below the surface. Concrete doesn't always cure as well as it should on organic material. To ensure even curing, dig down several inches, and refill with topsoil.
Mark the Location
Once you have the soil prepared, you want to mark the location. This is where you draw out your patio design and park the perimeter. With design in hand, mark the site with pegs. Once you have the pegs in place, stretch a cord all the way around the desired location. Be sure to attach the cord to each of the pegs. This will give you a clear form to work with.
Compact the Foundation
After you prepare the soil and mark the area, you'll want to compact the foundation. Compacting the foundation ensures that the soil is tight. Loose soil can undermine the structural integrity of your new patio. You can use a weighted roller to make sure that the soil is firm and level. If you find low points in the foundation, add soil until you have a level surface. When compacting the foundation, be sure that there's a slight slope. The slight slope allows for proper drainage.
Construct the Formwork
Now that your soil is prepared for concrete, you need to construct the formwork. This is where the concrete goes. You can use timber boards to outline the patio area. Use pegs to hold the timber boards in place. Once the formwork is complete, you're ready to have your concrete patio poured. Be sure to leave that part of the project to your concrete contractor.
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