How To Pour Concrete | Northeast Pennsylvania
If you work with concrete, or are thinking about a career that involves working with concrete, then you have to know how to work quickly and precisely. Concrete can be a difficult material to work with, since you have pour concrete precisely and shape it before it dries. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to make a concrete surface, here are the basics to help you pour concrete perfectly.
STEP 1: SET THE FOUNDATION
First, clear your area of any debris until only exposed earth is showing. The soil beneath the concrete is called the subgrade, and it has to be compacted to provide stability to your concrete. After compacting your subgrade, you’ll add your subbase, which is comprised of either small or large stones. The large stones allow water to flow through easily. The small stones are more compactable but also more costly. Your subbase should be 4 to 8 inches deep, then compacted with a hand tamper or plate compactor.
STEP 2: PREPARE A FORM
A form is a wooden perimeter around the pouring site that is secured with special nails or screws. For perfectly finished concrete, you’ll need to make sure that the angles of your form are exact and that the forms have a slight slope to them to prevent water from pooling in the middle of the concrete.
STEP 3: LAY WIRE MESH
Insert a wire mesh or rebar over your subbase to add stability. This is especially important for load-bearing concrete, like driveways. Adding a wire mesh also helps to prevent cracks from forming over time.
STEP 4: MIX AND POUR CONCRETE
To make your concrete, mix together Portland cement, sand, and aggregate at a ratio of 1:2:4. Then, add just enough water to the mixture to bind all the elements. After the concrete is mixed, pour it into your form until the high point is reached. You and others will spread out the concrete to fill every part of the form.
STEP 5: SMOOTH IT OUT
Smoothing out the surface of your concrete takes several steps. First, move a screeding tool along the form to flatten out the wet concrete. Next, you’ll use a bull float to press down on the wet cement to compact it. This also helps the cream, or gravel-free concrete, to float to the surface. Placing a straight board at a right angle across the concrete surface, use a groover to make straight lines in the concrete every five to six feet. These lines will help the concrete to resist cracking. Finally, take a broom and gently sweep it over the surface of the concrete. This makes the surface less smooth, which helps to improve traction.
STEP 6: FINISHING TOUCHES
After your concrete is totally dry, you’ll will need to cure and seal it so that it will last longer. Simply paint the surface with a concrete sealant, then allow to cure for 28 days. The sealant helps the concrete to cure as well as prevents cracks and discoloration.
ABOUT A+ ENTERPRISES
A+ Enterprises is dedicated to delivering quality products, displaying professionalism within the firm, seeking new opportunities for expansion and profitability, and providing an environment for individual success. If you have a commercial or residential construction project that you need taken care of, please contact Northeast Pennsylvania’s highest rated site-work contractor today by calling 570-373-9996 or filling out the form below. You can also follow A+ Enterprises on Facebook!
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These guys are awesome! They came here when promised, were really nice and friendly, and they did what they were supposed to do in a timely fashion. The price quoted was changed because I had more “stuff” to get rid of. However, they quoted the difference before getting the rest of the things out and we agreed. I will certainly call them next time. Thanks, A+!
TJ Belt
March 26, 2019They cleaned out my grandmas house today in under 6 hours. And we had a lot of stuff! Friendly guys and great work!! Definitely recommend.
Grace Baker
July 25, 2020These guys are the best! Very professional and super courteous and easy to work with! We had a tight space to get it into driveway and they made it look easy and didnt even leave a scratch !! Great prices too!! Thanks for helping us out!!! John and Maryjo
john morrissey
July 18, 2020 -
I got a 100% accurate estimate from the owner and he dispatched a crew to clean out my house the next day (!). The guys were professional and very nice and personable, making a tough situation much easier to handle. Moreover, they worked until the job was done way over my expectations. This company has the best prices in our area and they are complete pros. I would recommend them to anyone...don't hesitate and call A+ first! They will be my first call in the future!
Daryl Williams
September 26, 2018Very nice to deal with. Showed up promptly. Worked throughout the entire day. Did a fabulous job! Would highly recommend.
Sandra Hill
June 11, 2020This is an excellent company to deal with. I highly recommend! They were punctual, friendly and communicative throughout the entire process. From the first call, to the estimate, to the contract details, to start day/time, to what to expect day of and clean up day. It is very hard to find this level of customer service anymore! We hired them to tear down an old cinderblock/wood garage. It was right on the property line and didn’t have much room for error. A+ took the garage down no problem and did a great job with haul away and cleanup. You can tell they know their stuff. Sal always returned calls and emails. We got a fair price and a job well done! I definitely recommend and would work with them again if the need ever arises.
Alura B
April 14, 2021 -
I would highly recommend this company. Very respectful employees. Worked efficiently, were conscientious and very careful. Fairly priced and made this cleanup of 50 years worth of “things” easy.
Kathleen Doyle
October 10, 2020I was looking for someone to haul away some things from a home remodeling project. I called A Plus and within 10 minutes I received an email and was able to call the owner right away. He sent his crew out the next day and took care of my hauling needs with a great price. I cannot tell you how pleased I am at the prompt, courteous service I received from both the owner and the crew. I highly recommend them. Mary Gadomski
gadomski
June 4, 2020Amazing customer service!! Very nice people and easy to work with. Will definitely use again!
Tracey Koonrad
December 14, 2020 -
Great service , They came the same day I called. Very friendly and efficient. Great price for removal. Highly recommend this company. Very professional and A plus rating. Arrived on time and ready to work.
Tina Stella
August 5, 2019EXTREMELY PLEASANT AND PROFESSIONAL! Gave them a call to remove some old furniture and assorted boxes of junk. They said the had a crew in my area the next morning and could be here at 9am. Arrived right at 9 on the dot and got straight to work. They battled through all my cobwebs and work quick and efficiently. No trouble or damage from moving some big items in narrow areas. The price they quoted was great value for all the work they did. I have already and will continue to HIGHLY recommend them.
Michael Machion
August 3, 2019Can’t thank the guy we spoke to enough! He was wonderful to us! We were in a last minute crunch to get rid of stuff and he worked with us and even went way out of his way to accommodate our needs! He truly has great customer support and was beyond generous! Can’t thank this awesome company enough! It meant a lot to us!! We highly recommend!
Kaitlyn Szorady
July 11, 2020 -
Very promote service. They came exactly on time for the appointment and I did not have to left a finger. I lost the invoice for the services and received a quick response and delivery for that as well. If you looking for reasonable priced service with a smile A+ is the way to go. Also to add I have used multiple junk companies and they by far are the best.
Kimberly Marriott
August 21, 2020I highly recommend A+ Enterprises. Sal the owner called and was great. Joe and Richard were prompt, efficient, honest, respectful, kind and took their time listening to what I wanted done. They really went above and beyond to make sure I was satisfied. I couldn't believe they came, did the estimate started the job and were out of my house in under two hours! And I had lots of stuff to get rid of...lol!!! I will DEFINITELY recommend to others and use again. Thanks for a job well done!
Lou Ann Naughton
November 18, 2020Fantastic customer service. Sal was on time, very responsive to messages and professional. The price for the dumpster was very reasonable also. I have had issues with other junk removal companies in the past and wish I had found them sooner. I will definitely use them again in the future.
Erin G
October 17, 2019
