cement
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Senior User
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From: ontario
cement
anybody have any tips on smoothing out cement. I have it ready to be poured, but what do I do after it comes out of the truck?
the area is 15' X 20' and it doesnt have to be perfect just relatively smooth
do I just smooth it with a trowel and back out. do I water the top ect.
any help would be greatly appreciated
the area is 15' X 20' and it doesnt have to be perfect just relatively smooth
do I just smooth it with a trowel and back out. do I water the top ect.
any help would be greatly appreciated
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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A slab that size needs to be poured by a pro or at least with someone that has finished large sections of concrete b4. You need some specialized tools and experience. A novice could maybe pour a 3x4' slab. A slab that size also needs some provision for crack control by scoring during finishing or a concrete saw.
The Administrator, Mil1ion, or others have more experience in these areas than I do.
The Administrator, Mil1ion, or others have more experience in these areas than I do.
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I'm with Torque on this one. You need a demo saw to cut that big a slab, or it will crack.
It also SUCKS to handwipe a floor that big, a power screed and power trowel will make life much easier, and make a far better finish on the floor.
When you say that you don't care how smooth it is, that's one thing, but if you don't finish it properly, it will be de-laminating and going all the heck on you real quick if not finished properly. Consult a professional, there's a few here.
It also SUCKS to handwipe a floor that big, a power screed and power trowel will make life much easier, and make a far better finish on the floor.
When you say that you don't care how smooth it is, that's one thing, but if you don't finish it properly, it will be de-laminating and going all the heck on you real quick if not finished properly. Consult a professional, there's a few here.
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From: Penn Valley
You can get blades for a standard Skil saw for cutting concrete, I have scored a few pads this way. They are run dry and work real well. Obviously they work better when the concrete is still green....
Birken
Birken
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Originally posted by Birken Vogt
You can get blades for a standard Skil saw for cutting concrete, I have scored a few pads this way. They are run dry and work real well. Obviously they work better when the concrete is still green....
Birken
You can get blades for a standard Skil saw for cutting concrete, I have scored a few pads this way. They are run dry and work real well. Obviously they work better when the concrete is still green....
Birken
Like you said, it'd need to be pretty wet still.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Houma,La
O.k. Here we go.I will help you with this project.I have been a concrete engineer for about 7 years.I do Security at night part time to make my play money but went to college for Concrete.Lets first give you some pointers.You will need two people.First tell the truck driver you want a 5 inch slump.A slump is a measure of how far caoncrete falls in a 12 cone shape device.It is rodded with a rod that has a round tip 25 times per three layers.It basically tells you the density of the concrete and water.You won't be running one of these test but it is for your info.Next make sure you seperate the slab with what they call an expansion pad.It is a black fiber based board that is very flexible.This is critical or your slab will crack.What happens when weather changes concrete expands and contracts with heat and cold.The expansion board acts as a damper for when the slab contracts and expands.ACI(American Concrete Institute) state that a slab shall have an expansion board no more than every fifteen feet.You can also use wood.It will also work the same.One by four will work good.Next make sure you get a bull float,a broom(not hosehold or shop)designed for concrete,small hand trowels,water hose with spray nozzle.16 foot 2x4.cumalong(looks like a flat rake),If you go to any one of your local tool rental houses thaey can show you everything you need and you can rent them for the day.They are usually really cheap.Ok so the truck is backing up and about to pour your concrete.Start pouring the truck out in the center moving the shoot side to side.Don't try to do the whole slab at one time just work your way into one corner at a time.Use your cumalong to kinda level it out it does not have to be perfect.Next get your 2x4 that is 16 foot long and you on one side and your friend on the other what you want to do is a saw motion.What this does it levels it out to the top of your form.You may find some low spots thats ok just take your shovel and throw some in the void and go back over it.After you have screeded the slab you take the bull float and smooth off the top of your slab.You can sprinle a little water on top to give it a glass look.Now you can leave it like that which will be like your slab in your house before you put down the flooring or you can broom it.Brooming it makes it look like what your drive way is.Your drive way and concrete roads are broomed.Well if you have any more questions or need some more help please send me an email.I will be happy to help.
