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Having achieved your perfect concrete mix, the next step is to pour the concrete on your desired surface! Pouring concrete isn’t the most difficult task, but it does involve a bit of know-how when it comes to technique and a little bit of muscle due to how heavy the wet concrete mixture can be.
No need to feel intimidated by the task at hand though. In this guide, we’ll explain the best way to pour concrete when it comes to preparation and technique so that you’ll get it right the first time. You won’t need to call in any specialists for the job, and you might find many of the tools needed for this job in your shed!
If you are lacking in the DIY equipment department, pop into your nearest Hirepool branch. At Hirepool, you’ll find a large selection of tools and equipment available for hire, helping you to get the job done.
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High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
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High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Low Stock Call First
High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Low Stock Call First
High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Low Stock Call First
High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Low Stock Call First
High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Low Stock Call First
High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Low Stock Call First
High Demand Product: We suggest making a booking for this item in advance.
Before you dive in the deep end and start pouring your concrete, you’ll need to make sure you have all the necessary tools on hand. Pouring concrete is a time-sensitive task, so you don’t want to begin and then realise you are missing a vital piece of equipment!
For this job, you’ll use a concrete screed to flatten the concrete surface, jiggling the tool to remove excess concrete and smooth the surface.
A concrete float is used before the concrete starts to set and can be used after the concrete screed. Move your hand float in an arcing motion to smooth the concrete surface. For those tricky-to-reach areas, a bull float may come in handy. A bull float has a long handle to consolidate the concrete and bring cement to the surface, creating a strong, long-lasting finish.
A groover will come in handy when cutting control joints. Use a groover whilst the concrete is still setting.
If you need a wheelbarrow, then you can also go to Hirepool to hire one for the job. Choose between a regular concrete wheelbarrow which is excellent for moving concrete mix and other tools from place to place, or a motorised concrete wheelbarrow if you need to move your concrete mix up hills.
A spade is a super handy tool to have on hand for shovelling small amounts of concrete to fill uneven patches. It’s hard to pour it perfectly without a little bit of touching up.
A stiff bristled broom is great for creating traction and a non-slip surface. Gently brush the surface of your setting concrete in the same direction.
Bring the wheelbarrow with the concrete mix inside over to the area you’re wanting to fill. Line it up and tilt the wheelbarrow, allowing the concrete mix to pour out into the mould. Try to pour the concrete mix in evenly placed amounts and keep doing this until the concrete mix is about two or three inches above the mould before levelling. If you have friends or family with you, ask them to help by spreading out the concrete over the entire mould using spades and rakes. The surface of the poured concrete should be relatively flat and slightly above the form.
Screeding is the process of skimming the excess off freshly poured concrete to even out the surface. Using your concrete screed to flatten the surface, jiggling the tool or a 2x4 plank of wood back and forth over the form to remove excess concrete and smooth the surface. As you’re screeding the concrete, you may notice some low areas for which you should add any leftover concrete to achieve an even and level surface.
Once you’ve completed the screeding process, you’ll want to work quickly to smooth the surface of your concrete with your concrete float before it begins to set. Using an arcing motion, use your hand float to smooth the concrete surface right the way through the entire slab. For hard-to-reach areas, you can use a bull float on a long handle to consolidate the concrete and bring cement to the surface, which is necessary for a durable finish.
If your concrete project is outside, chances are you’ll need to create a non-slip finish. To create traction, so it’s not too slippery when wet, use a stiff-bristled broom to gently brush the surface of your setting concrete. All broom strokes should be made in the same direction, which should create a design that can be easily seen. Avoid applying too much pressure on the broom into the concrete as this can cause the groves to be too deep and result in water standing on the surface.
If in the process of creating traction, you notice that clumps of concrete are starting to build up on your broom, that’s a sign that it’s too early to broom. In that case, you should repeat step 3 again, smoothing the concrete using your float, waiting until the concrete is a little more set and then trying to brush again.
Control joints are planned cracks that allow for natural movement of the concrete due to temperature and shrinkage that occurs when drying without cracking the smooth surface you have just created. To create a control joint while your concrete is still setting, use a groover and a straightedge to cut straight relief lines into the concrete. A control joint should be cut approximately every 5 or 6 feet in each direction and should be at least ¼ of the depth of the slab. You can also do this by using a plank as a straightedge to make the joints in the concrete.
Finally, use an edging tool to shape the edges of the slab, giving it a finished and sleek look. Several passes should be made in each direction for a super smooth finish.
That’s it! Once poured, it’s just a waiting game, as concrete needs to cure for 28 days before it’s strong and durable.
When you are pouring concrete, there are a few things you should be aware of during the process. Let’s get into them:
Now that you know all the steps to pour concrete and do it well, it is time to get all the equipment. Head into your local Hirepool branch or check out the website to easily hire all the gear you need to get started.
