5 helpful tips to keep concrete from cracking for as long as possible

  • Jan 01, 2021
5 helpful tips to keep concrete from cracking for as long as possible
5 helpful tips to keep concrete from cracking for as long as possible

Every person who has worked with concrete at least once has come across the fact that over time, this material begins to crack, and subsequently completely collapse. Few people fully understand, but the duration of the service of the composition depends, among other things, on how exactly the concreting was carried out.

1. Substrate preparation and waterproofing

Without a pillow, nowhere. / Photo: kairos.by.
Without a pillow, nowhere. / Photo: kairos.by.

You cannot lay concrete directly on the ground. It is necessary to prepare a base of sand and gravel 10 centimeters thick. This pillow should also be tamped down thoroughly. Then a waterproofing layer of PVC film, polyethylene, geotextile or any other similar materials is laid on top.

2. Reliable formwork and lighthouses

Without formwork anywhere. / Photo: rentstroy.com.

The creation of a reliable formwork at the place of concrete pouring is one of the most important steps. In no case should the boards to be connected have gaps between themselves. It is recommended to drive the pegs from the outside. They will help keep the formwork in place. It is also highly recommended to install beacons about one per meter of fill. This will help keep the concrete area perfectly flat. Lighthouses can be set at a certain angle to organize water flow.

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3. Reinforcement mesh and "correct" concrete

It is impossible without a grid. / Photo: jazzprom.by.

Reinforcement mesh is laid between the exposed beacons. The optimum rebar diameter is 5-10 mm. The more stress the concrete will be subjected to in the future, the thicker the mesh should be. You can take it ready-made, or you can do it yourself. The mesh should be 2-5 cm above the waterproofing level. For the preparation of concrete, it is best to use cement grades 400 and 500. It is mixed in accordance with the instructions for a specific brand.

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4. Additives and iron

An important procedure. / Photo: beton-house.com.

It will not be superfluous to add a plasticizer to the concrete. In particular, it will help the compound set much faster. Other beneficial additives can be used. 2-3 hours after pouring the concrete, it is unforgettable to carry out the ironing. The poured surface is sprinkled on top with a small layer of cement, which is immediately rubbed into the top layer with a trowel. After another 12 hours, the surface should be poured with water from a spray bottle.

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5. Expansion seams

There is no way and nowhere without seams. / Photo: yandex.by.

The final touch is to create expansion joints on the screed. They are sawn through 2-3 days after pouring. The easiest way is to do it with a grinder with a step of 1-2 meters. They are needed so that the created screed does not crack.

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A source:
https://novate.ru/blogs/090620/54843/