Many people have witnessed at least one or two of the tasks involved in a concrete installation. Perhaps they saw the forms surrounding a slab of concrete that had been replaced on a sidewalk. Maybe they were behind a concrete truck in route to a job site, its mixer barrel rotating almost hypnotically. However, not everyone knows the various steps that contractors take when installing concrete.
What Is a Concrete Installation?
Essentially, concrete installation in Houston is simply the process of replacing or constructing a concrete feature. However, there are many different types of features that can be constructed. One of the most common is a concrete slab, but not every slab is intended to serve the same purpose. For example, most modern buildings are constructed with a concrete slab foundation. A dumpster pad is typically considered a concrete slab. Slabs are an example of what concrete installation companies usually refer to as flatwork. However, a Houston concrete installation company can construct many other types of features, including curbs and ramps. Furthermore, some contractors specialize in certain concrete installation services. For example, a concrete installation company may handle only commercial projects, while another company may focus on residential projects. Regardless, a concrete installation in Houston usually involves a series of steps that contractors follow before, during, and after the project.What Are the Initial Steps for a Houston Concrete Installation?
Like every other construction contractor, a concrete installation company must complete a few preliminary tasks.- The site must be cleared. Vegetation or existing pavements will need to be removed.
- Typically, a Houston concrete installation company will then evaluate the quality of the subgrade. If it is insufficient, it may need to be amended or stabilized. Otherwise, the concrete installation company will likely perform a preliminary grading or a test compaction.
- Drainage will be checked, and any issues will be corrected.
- On most projects, a Houston concrete installation company will construct an aggregate base to ensure a strong, level pavement with a consistent thickness. This step is especially important when installing a concrete slab foundation or other pavement that will need to support heavy loads.
- The next step is to construct the forms that will hold the concrete slurry in place while it sets. If the project calls for reinforced concrete, mesh or rebar will be placed.
What Are the Steps Taken During a Houston Concrete Installation?
Weather conditions can affect the success of a concrete installation in Houston, so contractors monitor the forecasts carefully. If the weather appears to be willing to cooperate, the concrete installation company proceeds with the pour.- Whether they are installing a concrete slab foundation, a parking lot, or a dumpster pad, your concrete installation company will transport the right equipment and sufficient personnel to the site.
- Crew members conduct a final inspection of the site to ensure that everything is ready for the arrival of the mix trucks.
- When the mix trucks arrive, the pour can commence. Depending on the project, the mix trucks usually get as close as possible to the forms before discharging their loads.
- Often, the ground crew on a concrete installation in Houston begins spreading and leveling the slurry while the trucks are still discharging material.
- Taking care to not overwork the slurry, which can introduce air pockets or an uneven distribution of the water in the mix, workers will smooth and finish the surface.
- The contractor then departs the site, leaving the forms in place.
What Are the Final Steps Taken By a Company Providing Concrete Installation Services?
The weather, the thickness of the concrete, and other factors can affect the timeline, but the following is a typical representation.- Two or three days after installing a concrete slab or concrete slab foundation, contractors return to the site to determine whether it is time to remove the forms.
- If necessary, contractors may perform noninvasive tests to measure the degree of curing that has occurred.
- If the concrete has set sufficiently, the contractor will remove the forms. However, this does not mean that your concrete is ready for use. Normally, a concrete slab needs to cure for at least a week before it can be used. Your precise waiting time could be different, so be sure to ask your contractor if the information is not volunteered.
