DIY: Concrete Reinforcing With Rebar

Rebar is a heavy metal material used to reinforce building projects.

Properly reinforcing concrete with rebar can prolong the life of a patio, drive or other concrete pad. Concrete acts as a sturdy base for buildings and a clean, or dirt free, space on a yard. For many projects, the concrete alone is durable enough to stand up to the natural punishment it will take. For more heavy duty jobs, such as driveways or garage bases, the concrete needs internal support to remain intact.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Wheelbarrow
• Gravel
• Two-by-four framing boards
• Wooden stakes
• Mallet
• Concrete mix
• Rebar cut to size
• Wire mesh
• Wire cutters
• Thin wire
• Concrete cure

Instructions

1. Dig out the area to be covered in concrete, approximately 4 to 6-inches deep. Remove all grass and top soil and rake the area smooth and even.

2. Frame the area with two-by-fours, 6-feet long. Lay the boards on their sides and hold in place by pounding wooden stakes into the ground on each side of the board. Use at least four stakes per board to secure.

3. Pour enough gravel into the area to create a 2 to 3-inch layer. Rake the gravel and smooth evenly over the entire framed area.

4. Lay the rebar onto the gravel. Place pieces of rebar evenly across the framed area in 2-foot intervals. Lay the first piece next to the frame and measure out.

5. Cover the rebar with wire mesh across the entire framed area. Attach rebar and mesh, using thin wire at each end and in the center of every rebar piece. Twist the small wire together to secure and press the ends down.

6. Pour a shallow layer of concrete over the gravel, rebar and mesh. Mix the concrete according to the manufacturer's directions and pour enough to barely cover the bed. Smooth the concrete and press any gravel that comes to the surface down into the mixture.

7. Pour the rest of the concrete to the desired depth and allow to dry. Remove the framework after the concrete has set.

8. Spray the entire area with a concrete curing agent. These agents are available commercially at home improvement stores. Allow the concrete to dry for at least 48 hours before using.

Tips & Warnings

• Employ the help of others for this project to cut down on time.

• If the wire mesh is too short for the framing area, overlap the pieces by at least a full opening space and connect with small wire.

References

• Schlatter Family Site: Pouring the Concrete Slab
• Build Eazy: Steel Reinforcing in Concrete
• Ask the Builder: Concrete Reinforcing