How to Pour Concrete on a Slope
Pouring concrete takes skill. Pouring it on a slope requires even more. The process is not difficult to learn, but it takes practice to perfect. Unfortunately, not many job sites have the time or budget for you to practice pouring concrete on a slope. Follow these steps and you can correct any mistakes before the concrete begins to set. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape Measure
- Chalk line
- Nails
- Hammer
- Concrete
- Concrete Vibrator
- Flat shovel
- 2x4
- Concrete float
- Broom
Instructions
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1
Measure and mark several points along your concrete form to show the height (or grade) at which the concrete will be poured. Snap a chalk line along all your marks so you have a continuous line showing the height of the finished concrete (the grade line).
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2
Mix your concrete with the lowest allowable slump, or consistency of the mix. A low slump (one with less water) will make the mix stiffer and easier to handle on a slope. Check with your project specifications or ask your building inspector how low a slump you can use on the job. Then instruct the batch plant to mix the concrete that way.
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3
Pour the deepest parts of the slope first. If your slope has landings, footings or downturns as part of its structure, fill these until the concrete is level with the majority of your slope. For example, if you are pouring a ramp that has a deep footing at both ends (but at different ground heights) fill each footing until it is level with the slope of the actual ramp slab before pouring the slope part. This will help your concrete cure evenly.
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4
Pour the slope from the bottom up. As you pour, push a concrete vibrator into the concrete within the form to get rid of any air bubbles and to work the concrete around any rebar or pipes. Use a flat shovel to add or remove small amounts of concrete, getting it roughly level with your grade line.
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5
Finish your pour by pulling a 2x4 across the top of the wet concrete in a back and forth motion to level it off. Follow this with a float finish and let the concrete begin to set. When you can see a noticeable lightening in the color of the concrete, drag a broom lightly across the surface to give it a broom finish.
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Tips & Warnings
Drive a nail into your grade line every 4 feet so the nail is firmly in the form but 1 inch is sticking out from the wood. This way, you will still be able to find your grade line when you are pouring, even if the chalk line washes off during the pour.
Do not adjust the slump of your mix without approval from your building inspector. You may fail the final inspection and incur the costs of tearing out and replacing your sloped pour.
