Concrete Basics for the Do-It-Yourselfer

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There are many factors that make stamping concrete better left to the professionals. The most obvious is the basics of placing concrete, which is an art unto itself. Proper concrete placement starts with proper sub base preparation, which often includes 2 to 4 inches of sub base material or stone that needs to be properly compacted. The next step is forming, which requires not only the proper form material, but an understanding of elevations and slope. If the proper slope is not maintained on concrete flatwork, you end up with puddling or standing water issues known as "bird baths". As with most everything concrete, these low spots are permanent, and very difficult to repair, especially if any aesthetic value is desired. Once you get through those pre- pour necessities you have to deal with the concrete itself. Standard concrete weighs about 150 lb per cubic foot. Unless you are lucky enough to have a job where a ready mix concrete truck can pull right up to the formed area, you will be moving concrete via wheel barrow or paying someone to pump it for you. Also consider that most ready ix companies charge penalties if the truck sits at a job site for longer than 30 to 60 minutes. We can't overlook the concrete itself. As a do it yourselfer, do you understand concrete mix designs, concrete admixtures, slump, air entrainment, and proper curing techniques? Modern concrete has become a high tech material that contains more than sand, stone, cement and water. You need to consider not only the environmental conditions the day of the pour, but the long term environmental conditions the concrete will face during its life when you chose the type of mix that will be used.

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