Concrete
We specialize in all phases of concrete flatwork. This includes repairs of damaged concrete and sealing of cracks. We also install new concrete.
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Prep
All subgrade excavation, compaction, formwork, placement of mesh or rebar is done
prior to the arrival of the concrete mix. After preparing the subgrade, forms are placed
around the area where the concrete is to be poured. |
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Pour
Concrete is poured either directly in place using the chute attached to the truck or with
wheelbarrows, buggies or pumps if the location is out of reach of the concrete truck’s
chute. Foothills Paving and Maintenance uses only 4,500 PSI Concrete with fibermesh.
This is the highest quality concrete available. |
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Screeding
Concrete is then consolidated, compacting fresh concrete to mold it within the forms and
around embedded items. After concrete is consolidated, it is leveled by drawing a lumber
or metal straightedge (called a ‘screed’) across the surface, to fill in any low spots or
voids as well as to reduce any high spots, bringing the top surface to proper grade. A
straight edge is advanced across the concrete with a sawing movement |
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Float
Bullfloating eliminates high and low spots and embeds large aggregate particles
immediately after strikeoff. This looks like a long-handled straight edge pulled across the
concrete. It also levels and prepares the surface for further finishing.
Concrete only needs to be troweled when necessary for its end use. For instance,
sidewalks, patios, driveways and general exterior applications do not require a trowel
application. Air-entrained concrete should not be troweled. |
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Edge
Edge concrete when required. Use the edging tool to obtain durable rounded edges. |
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Joint
Jointing is necessary to control unsightly random cracks, as cracks will follow the joints,
as they are the weakest part of the concrete structure. Contraction joints are made with a
hand groover or by inserting strips of plastic, wood, metal or preformed joint material
into the unhardened concrete. Sawcut joints are made after the concrete has hardened. |
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Texture
A broom finish of the concrete gives the surface texture that prevents a slick surface. This
is done using a coarse or fine push-broom. This is done when the concrete has thoroughly
hardened, enough to retain the scoring impression. |
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Cure
After concrete is placed, a necessary moisture content and temperature (between 50 and
75 degrees F) must be maintained, a process called curing. This is vital to the quality of
the concrete. A defective curing process effects durability, strength, watertightness,
abrasion resistance, volume stability and resistance to freezing and thawing deicer salts.
Curing aids in the chemical reaction called hydration. Loss of water by evaporation will
delay or prevent hydration. If evaporation is prevented or reduced, good curing is likely
within the first few days after the concrete is placed. |
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