Re: ATM Pouring concrete - the basics

["Bill Cotten" <billsas@worldnet.att.net>]

Hi Tom,

I pour and finish concrete for a living so I think I can help. First of all
use rebar. Number three or four bar will be fine and I suggest #3 just
because it's easy to bend and cut. Once your sonotube or wood forms are in
place, brace everything in place very well. Trust me when I say that you
*cannot* over brace concrete forms. Place the concrete into the forms gently
making sure that the rebar is staying in place. Use a hammer to thoroughly
bang the forms all around. Bang the forms as you are filling them with
concrete and then after the forms are filled go around and bang the whole
thing one more time. This will settle the concrete allowing air to escape
and provide for a better finished surface by eliminating rock pockets and
bubbles.

Use a magnesium float to smooth the concrete at the top of the pier. Just
work it back and forth until the concrete is smooth and creamy and flat. You
can use a fine, soft bristle broom to give the concrete a uniform finish or
leave it smooth. If you want to finish the sides of the pier to make it look
better, buy some "vinyl patch" at your local homecenter. Strip the forms a
few hours after you pour the concrete and mix the vinyl patch to the
consistency of p-nut butter. Using a damp rubber sponge float rub the vinyl
patch on in thin coats until you are happy with the finish.

Twenty four hours after pouring the concrete, strip the forms (if you
haven't stripped them already) and wrap the exposed concrete with burlap or
some kind of cloth and get it soaking wet.  Now cover the pier with plastic
to retain the moisture. Regular five sack concrete takes 30 full days to
cure. Moisture curing it will allow the concrete to become extremely hard
and strong. Six sack "high early" concrete will reach full strength in three
days but it gets hard very fast, especially in hot dry weather. I don't
recommend six sack or six sack high early for beginners.

This is probably more than you wanted to know but if you have any questions
just drop me a line. Don't forget the Four Way Concrete Guaranty........It
WILL get hard, It WILL crack, It WON"T burn and nobody will steal it. <g>

Bill

>
> I'm going to help our local university put up a simple observatory.  Part
of
> that will include pouring concrete for a pier.  I've seen lots advice on
> pier materials, dimensions, etc., but I don't recall any basic advice for
> someone who's never poured concrete before.
>
> What simple tips will ensure success for a beginner?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Tom Krajci
>
>