Patio "How-To"

Page 3

10. Use the edger again following the hand float to produce a rounded edge that will not chip easily when forms are removed.

12. To cure your project, dampen the area daily for 5 days.

11. When the concrete can hold a man’s weight and not make an impression, and when it has lost its surface moisture use a steel trowel to finish the surface. Kneel on a piece of board as you move across the concrete. Use firm, flat, even pressure in an overlapping circular motion.

OPTIONAL: you may create a broom finish after the steel trowel by dragging a broom with very soft bristles (in one direction) across the concrete.

13. After your area is finished and cured, remove the forms and enjoy your handiwork for years to come!

Concrete Facts:
Too much water weakens the Concrete causing sandy surfaces, peeling and chipping.

Hot days or windy days can affect the finish of your job.

Too little moisture causes the Concrete to cure too fast and will result in wind check and cracking.

Concrete will reach half its strength in 10 days and its full strength in 27 days.

To Help You Estimate  The Amount Of Concrete You Need

A. Draw out the dimensions of your project using graph paper. Use a scale appropriate to your project. (try one square = two feet.)

B. Compute the area you will cover:

Length in feet
x     Width in feet
_________________
=  Area in sq. feet.

C. Decide how much concrete  you need: A patio, walkway or driveway should be 3 1/2" to 4" deep and that means you’ll need: 1/2 cubic yard to cover 40 sq. ft./1 cubic yard to cover 80 sq. ft. at 4" thickness/ 1 1/2 cubic yards to cover 120 sq. ft. (you may also just divide your total area by 80 sq. ft. and get the exact number of cubic yards that you need.)

BE ACCURATE! Remember that a little miscalculation can cause you to be short of concrete and can ruin your job! Extra concrete can always be poured into small stepping stone or walkway forms.

D. Now call your Cart-Away dealer and decide on the date and time you will pour.

E. Finally, make a list of  people who'll help you! And then make a list of all the food and drink you'll need to make sure that your help is well rewarded.

F. Keep the beer cold until the last load of concrete is poured.

Your Cart-Away dealer has lots of Free Advise to help you with your special project including Free Trailers that can carry up to one cubic yard of concrete.

They also rent the necessary tools you need and offer a large selection of decorative rock for attractive, worry-free landscaping.

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©2004  Cart-Away Concrete Systems, Inc., 1405 NE Alpha Drive, McMinnville, Oregon 97128,
Phone 1-503-434-4444, FAX 1-503-434-5888
 All Specifications subject to change without notice.