For all the master DIY’ers out there, concrete leveling doesn’t seem like too difficult of a task, but it takes time, tools, and good materials to have the installation done right. If you do decide to go ahead and complete this intense task of pouring your own concrete for your driveway, patio, sidewalk, entryway, etc, there are a lot of things to take into consideration –
- The concrete mixture itself is one of the most difficult parts of the process. Although the ingredients are simple, creating the perfect ratio of each ingredient is necessary to create a block of strong concrete. If a concrete mixture is too wet then there is a lot of shrinking that can happen while it dries, which means it will most likely crack. If the concrete mixture is too dry then it can be weak and crumble and break a lot faster.
- Weather conditions can affect how successful the concrete leveling is. The best temperature to pour concrete is between forty and sixty degrees Fahrenheit. Anything colder than this can lead to weaker concrete, and anything hotter can lead to cracks because of the extreme temperature changes between the dead heat of the day to the cooler nights. Understanding the weather conditions is crucial for a proper installation.
- Setting up and preparing the ground is critical to ensure the process is done well. The ground has to be dug into and leveled before the concrete is even poured. You will also have to figure out the measurements on where the concrete is being poured and mark the area.
Once you have completed all of these, you are all ready to start pouring, but before you start you need to know how to properly level your concrete. It would be such a bummer to get this far only to have to rip everything out because the concrete wasn’t leveled properly. A leveling tool is the best bet to ensure the ground is leveled.
6 Steps to Level Your Concrete
- The first step to leveling your concrete is marking the area. Using stakes and spray paint may be helpful to mark the perimeter.
- The next step to leveling your concrete is making the concrete mix. While concrete’s ingredients are quite simple- cement, air, water, sand, and gravel, creating the right proportion of each is crucial. The concrete mix should be made up of about ten percent cement, twenty percent air, and water. 30 percent sand, and forty percent gravel.
- Next up is preparing the base. Making sure your concrete is both strong enough and set within the ground is crucial to a good installation. The ground should be dug about three to five inches. Because of the excess moisture in the clay soil in Tyler, it is beneficial to dig an extra two inches to help with drainage.
- Step four is to smooth out the ground and make sure the ground is level. A level will be most helpful for this step to ensure this is done correctly.
- Moving on, the next step is to pack down the soil, ideally with a hand or machine tamper. A good sign to know when the soil is ready is if you can’t see an imprint when something moves across. After the soil is packed, use the level again to confirm the ground is leveled out.
- The last step is to spray water in the area you are pouring,
- Then pour the concrete!
When You Want to Use A Professional – Call Tyler, TX Concrete
If this project seems intimidating or you want to ensure it is done correctly, hire a professional, like Tyler Tx Concrete. A professional will save you from buying the tools, measuring the ingredients, and the hassle of digging. Tyler Tx Concrete will help with your driveway, patio, concrete floor, or shed floor, and will make sure the project is done right the first time.