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Concrete is a superb material for finishing in your construction. The material is sturdy and durable. It allow you to have long-lasting floors, pathways, driveway, and parking lots. However, realizing this objective comes with a lot of effort. You need to be creative and apply it critically to get admirable results.
In particular, the finishing phase can be challenging for the non-experienced builders. You can make errors that will hurt the results and make your efforts a waste. Luckily, you do not have to take the route. Some concrete experts have come up with tried and tested tips that can make the finishing phase a walk in the park. Here are some of them:
Have the final image in your mind
When starting a concrete finishing project, everyone expects to have superb results. This aspect make people think they have the final image of the finishing. But this is not the case. Concrete builders concentrate on the work and lose focus of their expected results. They cannot tell exactly how the final appearance of the concrete will be.
Having the final image in your mind is crucial during the concrete finishing project. This will help you get the desired results. Without having a clear image, you will compromise with the outcome and the finished concrete slab will be unappealing.
Be precise when troweling
Troweling is a crucial part of your concrete finishing project. But it is not a simple task. However, you must be careful when doing it. Do not trowel in a rush as it can impact the final concrete slab. Your troweling should precise.
Also, you should use a technique that does not have hurtful impacts. Be patient and careful if you want great results. So, apply consistent pressure when troweling to make the floor outstanding.
Mind the finishing environment
The finishing environment impact how your concrete slab will look like. Essentially, the environment should have adequate air flow and access to direct sunlight. If you talk to an expert like Top Coat Concrete, they will tell you that the two element play a central role in curing and enhancing the effective of your concrete slabs.
Also, placing a plastic bag over the slab after finishing is essential. The act helps to maintain moisture on the concrete which is crucial in avoiding cracks and debris that can ruin your slab. So, be mindful of the concrete finishing environment if you desire amazing results.
Place your control joints mindfully
Placing control joints in your concrete slabs is crucial. The joints offer space for expansion and contraction of the slab which prevent cracking. While they are important, you should be mindful when placing them.
Many builders lack a definite spacing and scale when putting the control joints. If you want your concrete slabs to stand out, you should follow the rule that requires placement of joints with 24x the size of the concrete width. Also, never do the placing freehand. You should consider a straight edge and mark the positions for each joint. This way, your concrete will stand out.
Have an edging tool
If you cannot own any other concrete finishing tool, you should not miss an edging tool. This tool is crucial in making edges on unreachable spaces. You can use them to curve edges in areas beyond the floating tools reach.
Also, unlike other tools, they are durable. They persist the normal wear and tear meaning they will serve you for decades. So, if you want outstanding concrete, the edging tool is a must-have in the finishing process.
In a word, concrete finishing is outstanding. It is among the most convectional ways to make your home appealing to every visitor. However, how you perform your finishing can have a huge impacts on the final appearance. So, you must be mindful of the environment, control corners, and have the final image in your mind at every concrete finishing stage.