Concrete Projects for the Homeowner: What You Need to Know
Basic homeowner concrete projects
I’m not talking about a 3 thousand square foot three step slab with garage. Examples of small projects for homeowners are sidewalks, curbs, patios and maybe a small shop.
The main thing you need to know about concrete projects
Concrete work is hard! This is pure grunt labor. There’s a reason why you see a lot of guys out on any large concrete project. You’ll have new respect for their toughness after you try pouring concrete. It takes a lot of skill to correctly move and place wet concrete. The concrete waits for no one and you can’t hurry it.
The basics of a project
Regardless of your project you’ll need forms to contain the concrete. Sidewalks, small slabs and patios are generally said to be 4″ thick, but are actually 3 1/2″ due to using a 2X4 as the form. Footers are not used on sidewalks or patios, but I certainly like to thicken the edges to 6″ for added strength. Few people do this though. Small buildings and shops will need a footer with rebar and 6X6 10/10 wire mesh for reinforcement. At this point you’re getting into a pretty involved pour and should have at least some professional or informed assistance. Curbs and sidewalks give homeowners enough taste of concrete work they can decide if a larger project is their cup of tea.
A list of tools for small projects
Wheel barrow. A deep one. Shallow wheel barrows are pretty much worthless.
Square end shovel and hoe. For moving concrete around. You don’t pick concrete up and toss it. You shove and pull it around.
Rubber boots. Self explanatory if you’re stepping in concrete. When I was a kid a concrete worker showed me a three fingered hand and said the raw concrete ate off his finger. Of course, being about five years old, I believed him. Still, concrete can be hard on unprotected skin.
Screeds. Simple boards or devices used to scrape and level the concrete over the forms.
A jitterbug. This is a device with expanded metal on the bottom and handles up about waist level. It is used to press gravel down in the concrete to help provide an easy(ier) to trowel surface.
A small float and a bull float if you’re doing a large area. Used to smooth out the surface immediately after jitterbugging and while the surface is wet.
A finish trowel. Self explanatory, but timing is essential when trowelling. Surface water must be gone, but the concrete shouldn’t be so hard you can’t trowel it. Trowelling may require some hard pressure.
An edger. Patios and sidewalks require a finished edge at least in some areas. An edger rounds and smooths these edges.
A concrete seamer or groover. This is used to put a groove in sidewalks and other small slabs as needed. It may be for looks, but also for controlling cracks and movement. It’s best to help concrete crack where you want it to crack.
Water. Keep the project wet for several days afterwards to help the concrete cure.
Obviously I’m leaving out a great deal of detail concerning concrete work. It’s not easy and requires a certain level of skill, aptitude-and attitude. Concrete projects can add beauty, value and utility to homes. If you want to tackle a larger project I recommend hiring a professional to assist and advise until you acquire the necessary experience.
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