If you don't do your concreting job well, chances are high that you'll compromise the integrity of your construction project. While you may want to minimise the cost of your construction project, you should be extra careful to avoid wastage due to wrongly poured concrete.

Follow these few important guidelines the next time you're pouring concrete.

Keep Off Frozen Ground

Never pour concrete on snow or frozen ground as it can make your surface crust. This mostly happens if the top sets before the bottom. Eventually, when the ground thaws, the concrete mixture will crack and displace, which means that you'll have to fix or replace your slab.

To avoid such a mess, make sure that the concrete you pour is designed for cold weather if the temperature is around 10 degrees Celsius.

A Concrete Accelerator Comes Handy

If you're working on a construction site during winter, it's best that you use a concrete accelerator. This not only helps to speed up the time taken for the concrete to set, but it also ensures that the bottom concrete sets before the top. 

Use the Right Gear and Clothing

When working with concrete material, use the right protective gear and clothing such as eyewear, face masks, work gloves and long-sleeved tops. Such protection is especially important when working with powdered concrete because it can irritate your eyes and lungs.

If the concrete mixture gets in contact with your skin, make sure that it's clean immediately to avoid skin irritations and caking problems when it dries up.

Finishing and Placing

When finishing your concrete slab, use waterproofing pads to protect your hands, elbows and knees. If your clothing gets saturated once it gets in contact with concrete, rinse it immediately to avoid constant skin contact.

Use the Right Lifting Techniques

It's important that construction workers are briefed on the best ways to use the equipment and concrete before a project begins. If possible, make sure that any clutter or debris is removed to prevent accidents.

Prepare Your Site

The most efficient way to be assured of the durability of your concrete slab is by taking into account the reinforcement materials and ground where you pour it. That said, before pouring concrete, scrape the topsoil where it is to be poured and expose it to direct sunlight for at least a day.

Your ground should have a strong base for concrete, and you can use a compactor to achieve this.

To learn more, contact a company that offers concreting services.