How to Consider Air-Entrainment for a Concrete Pour

Do you live in a severe climate and want new concrete surfaces to keep their smooth, like-new surface as long as possible? Here's a way to do it that comes right from the ready-mix plant.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Air-entrained Concrete

1. Use air-entrained concrete to reduce the amount of surface scaling ' the flaking off of the smooth surface of the concrete. Air-entrainment uses an additive to trap miniscule air bubbles in the concrete during mixing and after drying. These air bubbles allow surface moisture more room to expand during freeze and thaw.

2. Use air-entrained concrete to increase the workability of concrete while wet. Air-entrainment acts as a lubricant, in a sense making the concrete slicker so that you get a better finish with less work.

3. Use air-entrained concrete to finish concrete using less water in the mixing process, making the concrete stronger over time.

4. Ask for 'air-entrained concrete' for your project. If your concrete source doesn't offer it already, be sure to specify that you want "air-entrainment" added to the load to be delivered. This is a chemical treatment that can be purchased and added only at the plant.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure not to "overwork" the concrete when finishing it, as this causes some of the air bubbles to escape, negating some of its positive effects.