Knowing how to pour concrete is something that you can use for many do-it-yourself projects.  You may need to add concrete to your child’s swing set to keep it from tipping, or you may need to pour concrete for a larger project, such as pouring concrete for a patio or paving stones for a backyard path.  Whether your project is small or a little larger, knowing how to pour concrete slab or how to pour concrete patio can save you a lot of money.

How to Pour Concrete - Tips

For the smaller concrete projects, you can mix a small batch of concrete.  You will not need to have pre-mixed concrete delivered.  While pouring concrete is heavy work, it is not a complicated process.  It is not necessary to rent or buy expensive equipment.

It is better to pour concrete on a cool day.  The concrete will be stronger is it takes longer to dry.  If you have to pour concrete on a hot day, spray the concrete with water throughout the day to slow down the drying process.  While you do want a cool day, you do not want the concrete to freeze while it is drying.  

How to Pour Concrete- Preparation Steps

1. Prepare the area you want to pour the concrete.  


2. Dig down a layer of gravel several inches deep.


3. Thoroughly tamp the gravel.


4. For repairing shallow holes or narrow cracks in concrete, clean the area as much as you can.  For these types of repairs, consider using a special concrete repair mix.


5. Make a strong form to contain the wet concrete.  For small projects, a 2 by 4 or 2 by 6 will work.  Coat the side of the forms with motor oil so the forms will be easier to remove after the concrete is dry.  Hold the form in place with 2 by 2 stakes every 24 inches.  The stakes should be trimmed level with the top of your forms to ensure the levelness of the concrete.


6. Take measurements to find the volume of cement you will need.


7. Put some wire mesh or rebar in the area you are pouring concrete.  This helps to prevent cracks and makes the final product stronger.  Pull up the mesh into the wet concrete with a rake as you are filling the forms.  If you use rebar, wire together into a grid shape and then drive a few pieces of rebar into the ground.  Wire the grid to the rebar stakes, so the rebar grid is approximately located in the middle of the concrete pad.


8. Depending on your preference, you can buy sand, gravel and concrete parts in separate bags and mix them yourself, or you can purchase pre-mixed concrete, where all you have to do is add water.  It is simple.  There are directions right on the bag that will tell you how much water you need to add.

How to Pour Concrete – Mixing Steps

1. Using a plastic cement mixing pan or a wheelbarrow, mix the concrete with a concrete hoe.  A concrete hoe is similar to a garden hoe, except it has two holes in the blade.  See if you can rent this, instead of purchasing it. 


2. Gradually add water.  The most common mistake when mixing concrete is adding in too much water in the beginning.  Less water will actually make the concrete stronger.  The cement mix should be thick enough where it will form a small mound without running into a level puddle.

How to Pour Concrete – Pouring Steps

1. Fill the forms with the cement.  


2. Tap the outside of the forms with a hammer.  This will eliminate air bubbles from the concrete, as well as help it to settle.  


3. Pull a 2 by 4 across the top of the form to level out the concrete.  


4. Use a trowel for a more finished look.


5. When the concrete is partially dry, cover it with a tarp and spread a layer of loose straw over it to protect it from frost.


6. Allow to dry for a couple of days.  You can then remove the forms and fill in the area around the concrete with gravel or topsoil.

Learning how to pour concrete can help you with a variety of DIY projects.  Save yourself a lot of money by applying these simple steps the next time you need to have concrete poured.  

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