Concrete & Masonry
Patios, slabs, and masonry work
Concrete is unforgiving — once it sets, you live with the result. The keys are proper forming, the right water-to-cement ratio, and finishing before the surface dries out. Work in sections on large pours and always have more help than you think you need.
Step-by-Step Guide
Excavate and grade
Excavate 4–6" below finished grade. Grade the base away from structures (1/8" per foot minimum). Compact the subgrade with a plate compactor — loose soil causes settling and cracking.
Install forms
Set 2×4 or 2×6 forms at the desired finished height. Stake every 2 feet and brace corners. Check for level (or desired slope for drainage). Oil forms with release agent so they strip cleanly.
Add gravel base and rebar
Pour 4" of compacted gravel base. Place rebar on chairs 2" off the ground, tied in a 18" grid for slabs. Rebar prevents cracking from ground movement — don't skip it for anything larger than a small pad.
Pour and screed
Pour concrete and immediately screed with a 2×4 or screed board, working in a sawing motion to level the surface. Work quickly — concrete starts setting within 30–45 minutes in warm weather.
Float and finish
Once bleed water disappears, float with a bull float to embed aggregate and close the surface. For a broom finish (best for outdoor traction), drag a stiff broom across the surface. For smooth, use a steel trowel.
Edge, joint, and cure
Run an edger around the perimeter for clean edges. Cut control joints every 8–10 feet (1/4 of slab thickness deep) to control where cracks occur. Cover with plastic and cure for 7 days minimum.
Pro Tips
Order ready-mix concrete for anything over 1 cubic yard — mixing bags by hand is exhausting and the consistency suffers.
Don't add extra water to make concrete easier to work with — it weakens the mix and causes surface dusting.
Pour in the morning in summer — afternoon heat accelerates setting and you'll run out of time to finish properly.
Cut control joints within 24 hours of pouring — waiting longer means the slab may crack randomly before you get to it.
Recommended Tools
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Materials Checklist
- Concrete (calculate cubic yards: L × W × depth ÷ 27)
- 2×4 or 2×6 form boards + stakes
- #4 rebar + wire ties + chairs
- Compacted gravel base (4")
- Bull float + handle extensions
- Concrete edger
- Groover / control joint tool
- Screed board (straight 2×4)
- Concrete sealer (apply after 28-day cure)
- Plastic sheeting for curing
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