As the term poured concrete suggests, it is a method of pouring concrete in a mold to build the foundation of commercial buildings and individual houses. The technique involves pouring concrete in a wooden form to make a solid concrete wall. Poured concrete retaining walls are strong enough to support heavy buildings, are durable, can resist damage caused by earthquakes and hurricanes, and can resist moisture and pests, making it a preferred choice in areas with high humidity.
The best feature of poured concrete is that it can be customized and adjusted according to the requirements of the building. Concrete installation is a challenging job as it involves different shapes, sizes, and finishes in concrete pour projects. In this article, we have discussed in detail how to prepare poured concrete and other information. Have a look.
Steps Involved in Concrete Installation
Preparation of Site Work
Prepare the site for drained soil; remove grass, rocks, shrubs, and old concrete before pouring concrete. You can manually pour if the area is small; else, use earth-moving equipment for larger areas to speed up the process.
Set the Form
After preparing the base, it’s time to set the form for further process. Use metal or wood stakes for residential projects. Steel reinforcement can also be installed, but it’s primarily used in commercial projects. Fix forms to the stakes with screws or nails to remove them once the concrete is set. Forms should be able to provide a slope for proper drainage and make clean corners where they can meet each other.
Mixing the Ingredients
There are several options to mix the ingredients. In the case of bagged concrete, mix the concrete with water as per the instruction given on the package; for small blocks, use a shovel, barrow, and wheel. But, if you want to finish the work quickly, rent a concrete mixer which also has the benefit of continuous spinning to avoid settling the concrete and getting it hard.
Pour Concrete
Pour concrete into the forms and fill them up to the brim. While you pour wet concrete, move concrete with a shovel or rakes to avoid air pockets or voids.
Finishing Touch
Screeding is an important part of the finishing process of pouring concrete as it helps in consolidating the concrete. Level and smoothen the concrete with the help of wooden or metal board, then give a smooth finish using a float and even out any bumpy surface. You can use hand-held floats for edges and detailing work.
Troweling
Broom finish ensures no additional finishing is required. A smooth trowel finish will be sufficient if the concrete is stamped. Let the concrete surface firm up, and then, using a steel trowel, create a smooth finish. For smaller areas, steel troweling can be done by skating on the surface on a kneeboard; otherwise, a tool called “fresnos” can be used.
Brooming the Surface
Give a broom finish to the surface once the troweling is done. Create a rough textured surface by pulling a broom across the concrete surface.
Curing Process
Now, let concrete rest. The curing process takes almost 28 days, out of which the initial 48 hours are crucial. To avoid surface discoloration, cracks, or curling, use liquid curing chemicals and sealing compounds. If you want to use the surface, start with light foot traffic after four days of placement and drive after seven days.
Difference Between Poured Concrete and Concrete Block Foundations
Poured Concrete
A poured concrete foundation is more popular because it is made from seamlessly poured concrete, can resist external water pressure, avoids any leakage, and is easy to waterproof. After all, the foundation is made of one solid material. These designs have a modern look, making them a preferred choice of builders for new homes.
Concrete Block Foundations
As the name suggests, concrete block foundations are concrete blocks arranged like brick. The great advantage of a concrete block foundation is that it can bear more weight than a poured concrete foundation. It was used for heavier homes to hold more weight. However, it has a major disadvantage: the risk of leakage due to gaps and grout lines.
Tips to Keep Poured Concrete Foundation Water-resistant
Though poured concrete is water resistant, certain factors affect the foundation that might lead to leaks. Here are a few tips to save the foundation:
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Avoid planting shrubs, flowers, and plants around the poured foundation because these plants require water, and regular watering around the foundation will affect the structure.
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Keep gutters debris-free and clean to prevent water from spilling over the side of the house.
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Install an external or internal drain tile system to prevent moisture from building up in the oil around the foundation.
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See if the downspout doesn’t release water close to the foundation. Underground downspout is a good option to divert the water.
Which is a Better Option: Poured Concrete or Concrete Foundations
The best option depends on what is your preference and the need. Poured concrete has the advantage of a leakproof feature but can’t hold heavy weight, whereas concrete block foundations can carry more weight but are prone to leakage due to gaps. Another difference is regarding the time taken to build the project. Poured foundations take less time but need to transport concrete to the site, adding to the total cost, whereas concrete block foundations are readymade, so transportation gets easy and convenient.
If you plan to switch the foundation of the house, don’t do that unless the foundation has suffered structural damage. However, if you plan to construct a new home, see what the priority and requirements are and then select the option.
Conclusion
Poured concrete is an easy and affordable way to build walls while building houses. For small projects, you can DIY using some basic materials and tools, but for bigger projects, you can accomplish the task manually. Another option is a concrete block foundation to build walls, but it has the disadvantage of leaking. Consider what you need and select the option.
