Construction concrete is a durable material that will provide your property with support and structure, but only as long as you select the right type for the project and install a solid foundation. Here are some recommendations to help you update and improve your property with concrete installation.
Choose the Right Type of Concrete
There are a variety of concrete products you can use for different final uses within your yard and property, so depending on what you plan to pour the concrete for, be sure you choose the right product. Whether you are building a new home and need concrete for the slab or a driveway or for the foundation, talk to your concrete contractor to get the right quality and strength of concrete.
For a concrete patio or walkway in your property, you will be all set with an all-purpose concrete that you can install in a thickness of four inches. This type of concrete slab can be finished with a non-slip broom finish, or a stamped pattern for a faux finish. However, for a concrete foundation and walls for your home, the concrete should be made of a mixture that is a high strength and reinforced with rebar or other metal reinforcement mesh.
For various other small projects in your yard, such as installing fence posts or a concrete stepping stone pathway, you can use a concrete that has additives to help it set much faster than a traditional or strengthened concrete. You can find these products at your local home improvement store or available from a local concrete supplier of ready-mix products.
Prepare For Concrete
The soil on which you plan to pour your concrete slab needs to be prepared so that it will support your new concrete structure. If, for example, the soil allows for moisture to come into it and not drain out well, this will expand the soil, can also erode the soil to leave an air pocket. It could also freeze in the winter and push the soil and the concrete upward, causing damage to the slab.
You want your soil to be stable, so you should compact it in place to keep it sturdy, but you also want the soil to have good drainage qualities. Look for a soil that contains sand and not clay so it can properly drain water. If the soil does not have this type of makeup, you can remove it and replace it with better soil or a layer of crushed gravel.
Gravel is a great material for your concrete's base because it will hold its form once it has been compacted together, but it also allows moisture to drain from the site without causing support problems to your concrete. Your concrete contractor can analyze and replace your foundation soil when necessary to ensure your concrete installation project is a success.