Concrete Finishing Videos and Tips.
Concrete Finishing with James Belville $29.95
Concrete Secrets Concrete Finishing Video: step by step driveway and sidewalk concrete finishing dvd on form setting, expansion placement, ordering Ready-Mix concrete, pouring concrete, tamping, bull floating, using a Fresno, jointing, edging, using a Walking Trowel, hard troweling, patching, fine broom finishing and much more. Concrete Secrets how to video has everything you need to finish a driveway, sidewalk, concrete patio or slab like a pro. 30 min.
Complete guide to concrete finishing or your money back.
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Concrete Finishing of the surface is done in stages. On a large concrete slab, concrete is consolidated, Rodded off or (Screed), then it is Tamped. After Bleed water has minimized, the surface is then floated using a Bull float overlapping 50% each pass, then perpendicular or (right angle) 50% each pass, if possible, until covered. This will insure a level surface. Once the Bull floating is completed the concrete slab will need time to set or may not need time. A chemical reaction between the cement paste and water is called hydration. These compounds in cement form chemical bonds with water molecules and become hydrates or hydration products. The cement needs moisture to hydrate and cure or (harden). The set time or hydration, is influenced by atmospheric conditions, wind, temperature, humidity, soil moisture content, all play a factor with aspect to hydration. When the surface is slightly firm to the touch, a Fresno is used to refine the finish using the 50% overlap each pass and perpendicular. A steel edger tool is used to refine the edges of the slab and magnesium float is used to refine the perimeter. When the surface is firm to the touch and still moist, 5 lbs. of weight is added to the Fresno with 50% overlap each pass and perpendicular. The Edger and Steel Trowel is used to finish around perimeter. Once the surface holds your weight with a slight imprint of your shoe, a total of 10 lbs is added to the Fresno for the last pass with 50% overlap. Edger and Steel Trowel are also used around perimeter to refine the finish. After finishing the slab to a refined finish the hydration reaction continues, moisture needs to be retained in the slab to achieve maximum strength. A curing compound such is used to seal the surface with a non-wax clear water base coating. Concrete can also be cured by submerging the slab in water or watering the slab with a sprinkler.
Concrete finishing concrete flat work.
Concrete tools needed finishing a concrete driveway, sidewalk or concrete slab.
Note; A concrete tamp is widely use in the southwest, but may not be used in other geographic areas.(consult your local Ready-mix.)
(1) Concrete tamp; 3 or 4 ft.
Definition; used to condense the concrete mix.
Condensing, forces moisture to the surface. (bleeding.)
(2) Bull float; 3 or 4 ft. (with two handles)
Definition; used to level the surface of concrete, sealing concrete from moisture lose. (Use two directions if possible.)
(3) Fresno; 24 inch or 36 inch. (with two handles, depending on reach)
Definition; smooths and seals the concrete surface. (Use two different direction if possible.)
(4) Walking edger; 3/4 inch.
Definition; used to form the edges of concrete to a smooth rounded edge.
(5) Hand edger; 3/4 inch.
Definition; used to form the edges of concrete to a smooth rounded edge.
(6) Jointer. (called a Grover in other areas)
Definition; used to section concrete to manage cracking. Called a, (control joint.)
(7) Magnesium float;
Definition; used to level concrete to existing concrete and forms.
(8) Steel trowel; 3 x 14 inch (If possible.)
Definition; used to smooth and seal concrete to a refined finish.
(9) Walking trowel;
Definition; used to smooth and seal concrete to a refined finish.
(10) Concrete broom. (Or any soft broom will work.)
Definition; used to uniform the concrete to a non-slip textured surface.
(11) Concrete boots; Protection from harsh chemicals.
(12) Gloves; Protection from harsh chemicals.
(13)Ten pounds of weight for the Fresno.
Small handles should be interchangeable with the walking edger, Fresno and walking trowel.
The bull float handles should be interchangeable with the driveway jointer.
Delivery; Check the time on the ticket before unloading. The time concrete was batched at the plant, to the time of delivery should not exceed 60 minutes. The time it takes to unload the truck should not exceed 30 minutes, for a total time of 90 minutes. Over this time you may experience trouble finishing concrete. (If concrete is older than 90 min. when delivered. Reject the load.)
Have a designated area for the Ready-mix truck to wash out, or wheelbarrow.
Delivery drivers will put there own shoots on and discharge concrete. Let the driver know what slump you want before pouring out. Most drivers should be able to accommodate the desired slump. (6 inch slump min. 7 inch slump max. suggested)
Time is a factor, don't waist any time getting the concrete laid out, rodded off and tamped. Note; (The longer it takes the faster the concrete will set.)
Have enough help with you leveling the concrete as you are pouring driveway sidewalk or slab out.
Do not over pour your project!
Start tamping. While tamping, your helpers can use a magnesium float to level the edges to existing concrete and forms. After tamping your slab should bleed, bull float after bleeding minimizes. (not bleeding, bull float immediately you are behind)
Starting from where you started the pour, bull float driveway, patio or slab in two different directions, if possible to assure a level surface. While bull floating your helpers can edge perimeters of the slab with a walking edger. Edging takes a light touch the first go round, be careful not to push the edge down. If so, bring it back using a Magnesium float.
Now, snap a string line to guide you, then install the control joint, using the jointer.
The jointer should float across the concrete, while cutting the joint. (like cutting butter.) If concrete is to hard and joints can not be installed, delete jointing from the instructions. Saw cut the joints within 72 hrs after finishing concrete, (saw cut 1/4 thickness of slab min.)
Next, Fresno entire suffuse, smoothing out any joint and edger marks.
After allowing concrete to set up slightly, repeat edging and jointing, (then add 5 lbs. of weight to the Fresno, if needed,) work entire surface smoothing out any joint or edger marks.
After allowing concrete to set up slightly, repeat edging and jointing then, add another 5 lbs. of weight to the Fresno for a total of (10 lbs.) work entire suffuse smoothing out any joint or edger marks
Note; if Fresno skips across the driveway, sidewalk, patio or slab, add more weight to the Fresno.
You have edged, jointed and Fresnoed the drive a total of 4 times minimum, your concrete should be hard enough to walk on, leaving a slight imprint. Now, use a walking trowel, for a smooth finish. Or delete walking trowel, and finish using the Fresno by adding more weight. Now, touch up any blemishes with a steel trowel, then broom. After broom marks are dry, water the slab twice a day for 3 to 7 days.
Concrete finishing takes some skill to achieve a good finish.
Congratulations! You did it!
Concrete Finishing Phoenix, Arizona
D & L Concrete Dimolition and Saw Cutting services general contractors in Mesa, Phoenix, Apache Junction, Avondale, Buckeye, Carefree, Cave Creek, Chandler, El Mirage, Fountain Hills, Gila Bend, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Guadalupe, Lichfield Park, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Queen Creek, Sun City, Surprise, Tempe, Tolleson, Youngtown, geater Phoenix Arizona area.
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