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QUIKRETE® 5000 is the ideal choice for applications requiring
high early strength. Because it gains strength quickly, it is ideas
for cold weather applications.QUIKRETE® 5000 achieves 5,000
psi after 28 days. QUIKRETE® Crack Resistant Concrete Mix is
ideal for projects needing a structuaral base and will help resist
cracking and spalling for years to come, like Fiber Reinforced,
Crack Resistant Concrete eliminates the need for wire mesh reinforcement.
QUIKRETE® Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Mix eliminates the need
for wire mesh reinforcement. It also offers increased resistance
to surface cracking and chipping.
QUIKRETE® Concrete Mix is a good general-purpose mix for sidewalk
and slab work.
QUIKRETE® All-Purpose Gravel or crushed stone (if needed)
T-square, measuring tape, mason's line, level, pickax, shovel, rake
tample, hammer or half-hatchet, saw, darby or bull float, hand float,
finishing trowel, bricklayer's trowel, edger and jointer.
Private walks leading to the front entrance of a home should be
3' to 4' wide. Service walks connecting to back or side entrances
can be 2' to 3' wide. Sidewalks should be at least 4" in thickness.
Simple slabs for small foundations, bases, etc., normally 4"
to 6" thick, depending on the load they must bear. Slope the
walk away from buildings to provide proper drainage. A slope of
¼" per foot is generally recommended, but check local
codes and conditions.
Site Preparation:
 1.
Stake out the area for the walk or slab, using a T square, measuring
tape and twine. Use a line level to ensure proper placement and
slope of lines.
2. Remove the sod and soil to the desired depth. Remember to account
for the width of the forming lumber
3. Nail and take the forms in place. You may have to dig a slight
trench to set the forms at the correct height.
4. Backfill against the forms to ensure stability.
5. Use the level to check for proper slope. Notice that when held
level, the right end of the level is about ½" above
the outside form, indicating a slight slope away from the building.
6. Tamp the subbase firm; then check for proper form depth, here
4".
Options
For larger jobs, or in areas of poor drainage, dig to a greater
depth and add several inches of QUIKRETE® All-Purpose Gravel
or crushed stone to the subbase. When QUIKRETE® Concrete Mix
is used, it may be desirable to add wire mesh reinforcement to the
form. Support the mesh on small stones so it is suspended at the
midpoint in the slab.
MIXING AND PLACEMENT:
 1.
Add approximately ¾ of the expected amount of mixing water
to the mixer. Turn on the power mixer, and add the QUIKRETE®
Fiber-Reinforced Concrete, QUIKRETE® 5000 or Concrete Mix. Add
more water as needed to obtain a plastic-like consistency. Do not
exceed mixer capacity. Note: QUIKRETE® concrete mixes can also
be mixed manually in a wheelbarrow or a mortar box.
2. Dampen the subgrade before making the pour. Note
the use of a splash board to help direct the flow.
3. Spread the concrete throughout the form, working it in tight
against corners and edges.
4. Strike off the concrete level with the top of the forms using
the screed board. Fill in any low spots as you work. Several passes
may be needed.
5. Float the concrete surface smooth, using a wooden or metal
float or darby. Swing the tool in circles, holding the leading edge
of the tool up slightly to keep it from digging into the concrete.
Float the entire slab. Stop floating when the entire slap in fairly
smooth and the float leaves not visible marks. All stone and gravel
in the mix should have been worked below the surface.
6. Cut the concrete away from the forms by running and edging tool
along the forms to compact the slab edges.
7. Using a straight piece of lumber as a guide, cut 1" control
joints into the slab every 6' to 8' using a grooving tool.
Note:
When a coarse finish is desired for nonslip footing, floating, edging
and grooving may be the only steps performed. When a denser, smoother
finish is required the surface is troweled once or several times
with a stainless steel trowel. Troweling takes placed after the
surface moisture has evaporated from the surface and the concrete
has lost its sheen. This setting time may vary greatly with weather
conditions and the moisture content of the mix, from 30 minutes
to several hours. Thirty minutes to an hour is average in most cases.
8. Once the concrete has set up, swing the trowel in the same circular
pressing and polishing motion that was used in floating. Continue
working until the surface is smooth and dense. You may wish to allow
the concrete to continue to harden and then trowel once more for
the densest possible finish. After troweling, redo edges and grooves.
9. Properly cure the concrete with Acrylic Concrete
Cure & Seal. After the concrete has hardened sufficiently (48
hours or so) carefully remove the forms.
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