Many of us are look to do a lot of jobs around the house ourselves, including pouring concrete. Especially with a world of knowledge one-touch away on our smartphones, no job seems too difficult. But pouring concrete requires a certain level of skill and expertise and is best left to someone with experience. Assuming you’re most likely considering a DIY project for your patio or driveway, a flawed job can lead to structural imperfections or even safety hazards. If you’re still keen on doing it yourself despite the risks, below are a few things in mind to bear in mind.
What NOT to Do While Pouring Concrete
- Neglect Checking the Weather Conditions
This one seems pretty basic, but you may forget to factor in the weather on the day of the job. Concrete requires heat to dry, and the humidity must not be too high. In other words, rainfall is a big no for concrete to set. Also, the climate in the region you reside in plays a role in understanding how to get the best results while pouring concrete.
Since Lake Orion, MI, has pretty unruly weather, make sure to check the weather forecast before getting down to doing the job.
- Disregard Safety Gear
It’s not uncommon for people to get right to a DIY job without being equipped with the necessary safety equipment, even if the job is pouring concrete. If you insist on taking on this task yourself, ensure you’re armed with protective gear for the feet, hands, face, and eyes. To be specific, you’ll need safety goggles and rubber gloves and boots, and it’s probably a good idea to don a long sleeve shirt and full-length pants that’ll cover your skin throughout the job.
- Use Household Items Instead of Proper Tools
Pouring concrete can look pretty easy on a YouTube video, but it requires specific tools. And unlike other DIY projects where you can replace the necessary tools with what’s available, these are not replaceable – or shall we say it wouldn’t be prudent to replace them with regular items found around the house. Before you begin the task of pouring concrete, make sure you have a concrete mixer and Grover, a magnesium float, and a wheelbarrow. No, you can’t use plastic and wooden tools instead.
- Pour Concrete on an Uneven Base
If the foundation is uneven, concrete can develop cracks later and break. To avoid this, you will need an even foundation without soil or debris. Professionals use a tool called a ‘place compactor,’ which is not something any of us would have at home – another reason why it’s not a good idea to pour concrete yourself instead of calling a professional.
Use Too Much Water
The ratio of water to concrete is crucial. If the mixture is too runny, the concrete can develop cracks and may have low strength and a shorter lifespan. Before you start pouring concrete, extensively research the exact amount of water need for the job.
Conclusion
The odds of something going wrong are high when you pour concrete as a DIY job. Therefore, call a Lake Orion, MI, professional who can do a perfect job safely, without any of the hassles.