How to Pour and Finish Cement

Concrete must be leveled into place before it starts setting.

Pouring cement is a time sensitive task. The key is to be prepared before pouring the cement. For this reason, having all your materials handy, some assistance and the ground fully prepared is vital for success. Once you start pouring the cement, you will want to put your phone aside and focus on the task at hand before the cement starts setting. The good news is that by following a few simple steps, you can save your hard earned money and do it yourself. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

• straight edged lumber
• hammer
• cement mix
• shovel
• trowel
• gloves
• measuring tape
• expansion strips
• sand
• darby float
• metal trowel
• safety goggles
• nails

Instructions

1. Prepare the site. Strip the ground of any vegetation so that it is level and hard, removing any loose dirt. Pour weed killer to complete the clearing. Use chalk to outline the area. Add 1/4 inch of sand or stones inside chalked area to replace the debris removed and to return the surface to ground level.

2. Draw a blueprint with measurements of the project, including the depth of the cement based on your specific project specifications. Using the measurements for the cement slab, cut wooden boards for building forms to shape and frame the wet cement. Use only straight boards.

3. Place expansion strips against any foundation area where the new cement area will press up against another hard surface. These strips allow for expansion of the concrete and prevent future cracking from pressure.

4. Set stakes in the corners of the chalked area of interest and every four feet surrounding the prepared area. Nail boards to the stakes to create the form for pouring the cement. Use double-headed nails to make it easy to take apart after the cement dries.

5. Pour the fresh cement into the form area. With a shovel pat down the cement and fill in any depressed areas to level the top. Screed the cement by moving a piece of lumber (trowel) that stretches across the form and rests of the wood of the form on opposite sides of the frame. Move the lumber in a back and forth motion across the surface of the cement form to level further. Remove excess concrete that forms on top during this procedure.

6. Pack the cement down with a darby float. When water is forced to the surface, then stop using the float.

7. Use an edger to create a crisp sharp edge along the outside of the form, separating the form from the cement. Wait until all the surface water is gone before you start edging.

References

• Outdoor Living: Step by Step to a Concrete Patio
• Greco Brothers: How to for Homeowners