Contents
- 1 How do you level ground before pouring concrete?
- 2 Can you pour concrete on uneven ground?
- 3 How do you prepare ground for concrete?
- 4 Do you have to put gravel down before pouring concrete?
- 5 Should you wet the ground before pouring concrete?
- 6 Will concrete level itself?
- 7 Can you pour self leveling concrete over existing concrete?
- 8 Do you need rebar for 4 inch slab?
- 9 What is the best base for a concrete slab?
- 10 Is sand a good base for concrete?
- 11 Why do they put sand under concrete?
- 12 What kind of gravel do you use under concrete?
- 13 What happens if you don’t put gravel under concrete?
- 14 Should you put plastic under concrete?
- 15 Can I use pea gravel under concrete?
How do you level ground before pouring concrete?
Tamp down the surface with either a hand tamper or a machine tamper. Pack the soil until you can no longer see a footprint when you walk across the surface. If adding gravel, pour the gravel base and tamp it down to pack it tightly. Check for level again.
Can you pour concrete on uneven ground?
If you pour your concrete on uneven ground, the slab may look crooked or get damaged as it dries. As long as you take time to flatten the ground and make a solid base, your slab will last for a long time without sinking or cracking.
How do you prepare ground for concrete?
Preparation is the most important aspect of pouring a concrete slab.
- Dig the ground down to the proper depth.
- Smooth out the ground with the flat side of a rake so that you have a level surface.
- Tamp the ground with a hand tamper or mechanical tamper.
- Pour 2 inches of small, rounded gravel for additional drainage needs.
Do you have to put gravel down before pouring concrete?
Whether you pour concrete for a walkway or patio, a strong gravel base is required to prevent the concrete from cracking and shifting. Gravel is especially important in clay soil because it doesn’t drain well, which results in water pooling under the concrete slab and slowly eroding the soil as it finally drains.
Should you wet the ground before pouring concrete?
The concrete needs to stay wet in order to cure properly. As noted before, concrete doesn’t dry out to harden, it cures through a chemical reaction that needs water to facilitate the reaction. If the ground is dry, the ground will absorb moisture from the concrete and it won’t cure properly. Concrete will crack.
Will concrete level itself?
Leveling the Concrete The thick consistency of concrete mix means that it does not level itself. If there is space between the 2-by-4 and the surface of the concrete, more concrete must be added.
Can you pour self leveling concrete over existing concrete?
You can level an existing concrete floor with a leveling layer of new concrete, but you must prepare the old concrete floor first. Neglecting to prepare the old surface will prevent the new concrete from adhering correctly, resulting in a weak bond between the two layers.
Do you need rebar for 4 inch slab?
No, you do not need rebar for a 4 – inch slab of concrete on grade. A 4 – inch -thick slab cast on the ground and in permanent contact with it will float and rebar is not required. Rebar is recommended on concrete measuring 5 – 6 inches thick.
What is the best base for a concrete slab?
Most concrete contractors want a mix of coarse and fine aggregate to create a compactable base that is going to be safe for settlement and drainage. Crusher run (a mix of crushed stone and stone dust) is one of the best base materials for concrete flatwork.
Is sand a good base for concrete?
Pour concrete over a solid, well-drained base of sand or gravel over clay and other poorly draining soils to provide even support.
Why do they put sand under concrete?
One reason it is used as a backfill or sub-grade material. As with all material, it has to be placed correctly and compacted properly. Sand needs to remain damp as well as other material before placement of the concrete.
What kind of gravel do you use under concrete?
“Six inches of well-graded gravel or crushed stone material properly compacted will give good results,” said Mark Conrardy, a sales engineer manager for Wacker Corp., Menomonee Falls, Wis. When properly compacted, both native soils or imported granular materials can provide good support.
What happens if you don’t put gravel under concrete?
Because concrete is a very porous material, it will absorb any moisture that it contacts. This can cause pooling. Without crushed stone, pooling water will settle under it and erode your slab.
Should you put plastic under concrete?
A concrete vapor barrier is any material that prevents moisture from entering a concrete slab. Vapor barriers are used because while fresh concrete is poured wet, it’s not supposed to stay that way. It needs to dry and then stay dry to avoid flooring problems. This is why a vapor barrier under concrete is essential.
Can I use pea gravel under concrete?
If you use pea gravel beneath a patio, take a few simple steps to ensure the stability of the base before setting your surface stones, pavers or bricks. Click to see full answer. It should be ok to pour concrete over your gravel walk although you might want to give the concrete a little more depth along the sides.