pour it up pour it up baby you the bestest

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Once relegated to the driveway or exterior walls, concrete is gaining popularity all over the house, from the front steps to the bathtub. It's durable, easy to maintain and looks as cool as it feels to the touch. Concrete is also versatile. With precast forms, you can make your own countertops, stepping stones, planters and furniture.

If you've ever priced ready-made concrete steps or checked on the cost of a concrete slab, you know they're not cheap. You can do the work yourself, though. The secret to working with concrete is learning how to pour and finish it so you get the look you want. The steps vary depending on what you're constructing, but the process is straightforward and easy to follow if you take your time.

Choose the Right Concrete Mix for the Job

Concrete is a mixture of water, cement and either sand, rock or gravel. Manufacturers adjust these ingredients to produce different types of concrete that range from normal to reinforced and lightweight concrete mix. When shopping for concrete mix, select the one that best suits the finished product. If you're making stepping stones or pouring a slab, look for reinforced concrete that holds up under pressure. Consider a lightweight mix if you're making decorative items that you might want to move around the house.

When you work with concrete, you have to pay attention to the clock. Gather everything you need for the task before you start mixing. This includes a wheelbarrow or bucket for mixing, a separate bucket for holding water, a flat shovel or garden hoe, gloves, safety goggles, a trowel and flat board for spreading wet concrete. If you're pouring a slab or constructing steps, build the forms in advance. You won't have enough time to make them if you wait until after you've mixed the concrete.

Mix the Concrete

Put the bag in a wheelbarrow or large bucket and slice it open so the mixture falls out gently. If you just open the bag and dump the mix, you end up with a dusty mess in the air and on the ground. Fill another bucket with water and start measuring out the water to add to the mix. This makes it easy to keep track of how much water you're adding. If this is your first time working with concrete, follow the directions printed on the package. Use a hoe or flat shovel to mix the concrete until it has the consistency you want.

Pour the Concrete

As soon as you have the proper concrete mix, it's time to pour it inside the concrete casting molds or frame you built. If you're filling a large form, pour the concrete slowly in sections. Wet concrete is heavy, and you may have trouble spreading it into the form if you try to add too much at one time. This is especially true if you're constructing a slab or building steps. Use a trowel or a long wooden board (called a screed) to spread the concrete into place.

Smooth the Surface

For some projects, you have to smooth the surface of the concrete. You do this by moving a bull float (also called a concrete float) across the surface. In some cases, you have to use a hand float on small sections that don't get smooth enough with the larger tool. If you're building steps or a sidewalk that people will use, drag a broom across the surface to create tiny ridges that improve traction.

Let the Concrete Cure

As concrete dries, it develops strength. For maximum strength, you have to let it cure slowly. Ideally, you should flood the surface of the concrete for at least three days. You can also use a chemical curing product, which speeds this process. No matter which option you choose, wait at least 24 hours before walking on the surface of the freshly poured concrete. Keep heavier equipment off it for at least one week.

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pour it up pour it up baby you the bestest

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