Installation Guides for Concrete Curing

The concrete we supply to you must be cared for properly in the coming days and weeks to ensure correct concrete curing. This is why we have provided the guide below to help you out. If you have any questions, our knowledgeable teams in our depots in Manchester, Stockport and Leeds can offer advice and expert tips.

Concrete precautions to take

Laying Procedure

  • The key to constructing a structurally sound concrete slab heavily relies upon first class sub base preparation.
  • The sub base should be constructed on top of well drained and sound sub grade.
  • Well graded granular shot type material should be used to form the sub base and once levelled and compacted, a thin blinding layer of sand (no deeper than 20mm) can be used to fill any voids in the surface.
  • Key Points:
    Good quality MOT
    Fully compact using whacker plate or similar.
    A flat, level sub base will greatly reduce the risk of cracking.

It is important that you, the customer, provide safe and secure access for our operatives up to and including the point of discharge. The following tips will assist in getting your concrete to where you need it:

  • Our wheelbarrows require approximately 750mm of clearance to pass through.
  • Once filled with concrete, a wheelbarrow weighs around 160kgs. Therefore, planked out areas should be able to support a fully laden barrow plus the weight of our operative.
  • Muddy and boggy ground should be covered over with planks to provide stable conditions to barrow concrete across.
  • Good site preparation will allow us to access your job with ease.
  • The concrete should be workable but not too wet.
  • Wetting concrete too much will reduce the finished strength.
  • A good solid straight edge is required to neatly rule off the concrete.
  • The perimeter formwork can be used as a levelling edge to rule the concrete off.
Finish:Uses:
Brush FinishExternal areas – Paths, Drives, ETC
Tamped Finish
(Gives increased grip)		External areas –Driveways on an incline, farmyards, stables, ETC
Hand TrowelledInternal areas – House floors, garage bases, ETC
Power Float Finish
(Highly Polished Finish)		Internal areas – Workshops, Showrooms, Industrial Floors, ETC

Curing plays an important role in strength development and long term durability of the concrete. In simple terms, concrete curing is the act of preventing the water contained within the concrete itself from dissipating out too quickly (usually through the surface of the slab). Curing the slab can effectively slow this process down. The following methods can be used:

  • Leave shutters / formwork in place for up to 28 days.
  • Spray on curing membranes. (Available from builders merchants)
  • Impervious plastic sheeting/polythene (1000 gauge). Leave in place for 7 days minimum, the concrete surface should be hard enough to prevent surface damage from placement activities.

For further details about our process, call us!

Use our online concrete calculator or call us now!

Concrete Calculator
0800 074 2505