Pouring A Concrete Garage Floor By David Karlson At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Anyone who has the desire and the proper training can effectively pour their own concrete garage floor. Many people do not even try doing this job on their own because of many different factors. Obvious questions that come to mind include what tools are required, how the existing floor or ground prepared is, what materials are needed and how to prepare and form the concrete. Another valid question is how to finish the job once the concrete is poured.

There are a number of tools required for the job. Some of the basic ones include a hammer, saw and nails, a wheelbarrow, shovel. You will also need concrete finishing tools such as trowels and a finishing broom for cleaning and leveling the surface. If you do not have your own tools, then you can borrow them or rent them quite easily. Most people will have the basics but not everyone will have their own trowel or wheel barrow. Lastly, you will need concrete. The amount depends on the thickness and square footage of flooring you are preparing. The average thickness of a poured concrete floor is between four and six inches. To reinforce the concrete you will need either mesh or rebar.

Before pouring your concrete garage floor, you must make sure you have a solid ground surface first. The ground should be hard and compact. If it is an untouched ground surface, it should be ok to begin. If the ground has been previously dug up then you are going to need to pack it down before proceeding. However, some people suggest that you make footers into the ground before you pour any concrete. The footer runs the entire perimeter of the garage floor.

Wooden boards are used to build your form. You cannot pour a concrete garage floor without having some sort of form to hold the concrete until it dries. Make sure all your corners are square before pouring any concrete. I hope that when you are ready to pour it is not a hot dry day, as the concrete could set too fast. If it sets too fast, it may not be as sturdy as what it should be. It should pour easily when it has been thoroughly mixed. Leveling the surface is done with a tool called a wooden float. As it dries, you will want to remove the wooden forms and round the edges as well. Consulting with a professional for tips and tricks is a great idea before beginning this job.

When the concrete garage floor has been poured and it is completely dry, you should wait at least seven days before constructing the building. This job takes quite a long time, so if you do not have the time available yourself then it is perfectly acceptable to hire a professional to get the job done. However, if you have set aside the time then it is possible to get the job done right yourself. It is always good practice to consult a professional before beginning a project of this magnitude.

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