Concrete is a popular choice for flooring because of its durability, longevity, and low cost of installation. But low cost does not mean easy to do. Many people decide to take on the task of installing concrete on their own because they believe it is as simple as mixing and pouring. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, there are a lot of common mistakes that people make. Luckily, Artistic Concrete Designs has been a call away to make things right. If you prefer to have experts deal with the concrete installation, call Artistic Concrete Designs today. If you are convinced that you want to do a DIY project, then read on to learn about some of the top mistakes people make when installing concrete.
Miscalculating the Dimensions
Concrete projects are three-dimensional and calculating the amount of concrete is volume-based. Still, determining the amount of concrete you will need is more complicated than multiplying the length by width by height because there will be shapes other than cubes, such as spheres and other unusual shapes. Calculating the amount of necessary concrete will be further complicated by how precisely you prepare the area for the pouring. So, be prepared to bring your math cap out and take your time measuring the dimensions of your project area.
Ordering the Wrong Amount of Concrete
So, you have calculated the dimensions of your project area and ended up with the total volume of concrete you expect to need. It is tempting to buy exactly that number, but this is another common mistake. Jobs are rarely completed perfectly. Therefore, it is better to overestimate what you will need. In fact, if you are new to this then we recommend you order a little more than an overestimate because it is easy to ruin a mix or otherwise waste some concrete during the project.
POOR PREPARATION OF THE CONCRETE & AREA
You have dug a nice area and are ready to pour, right? Probably not! The project site must be properly prepared before you pour. Concrete requires a compacted surface that is level. Roots, debris, and loose topsoil should be removed, and drainage should be ensured. Also, not all concrete is the same. There are different types of concrete with different curing times, strengths, and chemical compositions. Varying amounts of mixtures can result in different properties that are best for different tasks. Before pouring the concrete, be sure that the concrete and the area are properly prepared.
USING IMPROPER TOOLS & MISUSING TOOLS
Again, concrete is not just a matter of mixing and pouring. Luckily, the tools used in concrete installation have been the same for decades because they work. The benefit of most of these tools is that they do not require long setup times. Don’t get lost in the new-age or fancy tools section. Stick to the basics and work quickly because there is a limited workable window when dealing with concrete.
CONTACT THE CONCRETE PROFESSIONALS
Artistic Concrete Designs has been in the business of concrete for decades and has experience with projects for individuals, small businesses, and large national and multi-national corporations. We have a large variety of concrete products and our technicians are trained and equipped with quality tools. If you have any questions or concerns or if you would like to schedule an appointment, then call us today at (770) 580-2700 or contact us online. Our friendly staff would love to help.