DOS AND DON’TS FOR CONCRETING STEPS …

/in /by

If you’re taking on the challenge of pouring your own concrete steps, you’ll impress all of your neighbours. However, to make sure you get the best results possible, here are a few dos and don’ts that can help along the way. So, if you’re looking to perfect your concreting skills, read on for our quick guide.

Dos

When you’re pouring concrete steps, there are a few things you need to get right.

Do – Pick The Right Concrete

You need to make sure that you pick the right concrete for the job. We recommend MaxiPave for domestic steps. It’s a high-quality cement that is also frost resistant. It’ll stand up to the wear and tear of being used every day.

You may also want to consider getting ready mixed concrete rather than mixing your own. It will save you a lot of time and effort and allow you to focus on getting the pour just right.

Do – Brace And Secure Your Form

How you build your frame is vital. Once you pour the concrete, your frame is going to be holding back a lot of weight. If it’s not adequately secured, then you’ll spring a leak. There is not much you can do if your form fails you.

Make sure that your frame is fully secured and pegged down. It’s better to make it too strong than have it fall apart on you.

Do – Check Your Measurements

This is true for any building project but always make time to double-check your measurements. You’ll want to do this before you order your concrete to ensure you get the right volume. 

You’ll also want to do it after you build your forms. Mistakes can easily creep in during construction. You can only fix them if you catch them before you pour your concrete.

Don’ts

Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. So here are some common mistakes you should aim to avoid.

Don’t – Let Your Fresh Concrete Get Too Cold

Once fully cured, MaxiPave concrete is frost resistant; however, until it has cured, it can be vulnerable to damage from frost. It’s a good idea to plan concreting jobs for warmer weather. If you can’t do that, then you’ll need to take steps to keep your fresh concrete from getting too cold. You can easily do this with an insulated blanket or even just an old blankets from around your home.

Don’t – Put Too Much Weight On Too Soon

It takes time for concrete to harden fully. You can usually walk on your new steps around two days after you pour them. However, your concrete is not done curing at this point, by seven days it will be almost 70% done. But, your new steps won’t reach their full strength until 28 days after pouring.

If you can, try to limit their use until this point. This will prevent any damage and ensure your steps last much longer.

Don’t – Paint Or Stain For At Least A Month

If you plan to stain your new concrete steps, you should wait until the curing process is complete. This means waiting around 28 days. Applying paint or stain before you concrete had cured, can lead damage the structure of the concrete which may weaken your construction.

If you have any questions about concreting your steps or selecting the right concrete for your project, get in touch with the helpful team at Maxi today.