How to Work with Concrete | Ask This Old House 

This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook explains masonry materials and then shows how to pour a concrete slab. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps.)
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Roger teaches the differences between different masonry materials. Portland cement is added to many other mixes. Concrete is a mix of sand, stone, and Portland cement. A mortar mix is made of Portland cement, sand, and lime, and is used for bricks and stones above ground. Below ground, he uses a cement mix of Portland cement and sand.
Roger showed how to mix concrete by combining 3-parts sand, 2-parts stone (sometimes called aggregate), and 1-part Portland cement in a wheelbarrow. A power mixer can be rented.
Once the concrete is added to a form, Roger uses a trowel to smooth off the top, or he uses a push broom to add a slip resistant finish. He then uses an edger to round off the edge of the concrete, and then uses a groover to create a controlled joint for the concrete to crack.
Shopping List for How to Work with Concrete:
Portland cement [amzn.to/2ZoQtp1], gravel [amzn.to/2L4nXUy], and sand [amzn.to/31WMWQm], to make concrete
2x boards [amzn.to/2KRioKk], for building form
3-inch deck screws [amzn.to/2KPTQkA], to fasten together form boards
Lime [amzn.to/2ZsG5wA], added to cement and sand to make mortar
¾-inch stone, to form solid base for concrete slab
½-inch (No. 4) rebar [amzn.to/2HnOwTH] or welded wire mesh [amzn.to/33WheVl], for strengthening the concrete
Tools for How to Work with Concrete:
Concrete mixer [amzn.to/2Zq1w14]
Wheelbarrow [amzn.to/320rslO] and pointed shovel [amzn.to/2HjOb43], for mixing concrete
2-gallon bucket [amzn.to/2ZsGEGI], to measure dry ingredients
5-gallon bucket [amzn.to/2HnskJ5], for adding water to concrete
Plate compactor [amzn.to/2KSDTdy] or hand tamper [amzn.to/2ZpCkrq], to compact ¾-inch stone base
Cordless drill [amzn.to/2zjlmkc], for screwing together wooden form
Concrete float [amzn.to/2Zok7dX], to smooth concrete
Push broom [amzn.to/2Hnk2kC], for adding texture to concrete surface
Edger [amzn.to/2ZrKm7j], to round over edge of concrete slab
Groover [amzn.to/2NtqnyW], for cutting control joints into the concrete
Masonry materials and tools are available at home centers and masonry supply stores.
Expert assistance with this project was provided by Martignetti Enterprises, Inc. [martignetti.us/]
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Work with Concrete | Ask This Old House
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