Exposed Concrete Aggregate
Exposed aggregate concrete is a great choice for people, who wish to cover their pathways, driveways and want to landscape their gardens. It will give your home an aesthetic look and you can cover your garden and driveways easily. The aggregate which is present in the concrete is not mixed properly and for this reason, the sand and other grains of the aggregate remain as they are, giving the concrete surface a rough texture. It also provides a good grip for the tires, making a good driveway for your car, or for exercising. But, the steps to adequately and efficiently pour the exposed concrete aggregate can be inconvenient and confusing. So, given below are some ways in which you can pour concrete aggregate in a more efficient way. Read on:
Prepare A Symmetrical Mould to Pour the Concrete In:
This is an important step when you are preparing to pour the mould, then you must try to first construct a wooden mould, a box-like a figure, around 4 to 6 inches high. This will help to keep the mould in shape, and at the same time, you will also be able to control the texture of the concrete mixture. These moulds are also helpful to get curved or even rectangular shapes of the concrete.
The Levelling Should Be Appropriately Done:
The moulds act as a barrier to the concrete, and when you pour the concrete then you should try to take a wheel barrow to quickly pour the aggregate mix, and to make sure that not much of the concrete is left in the truck. This process must be quick, as the exposed concrete aggregate can start to solidify as soon as it is poured. There may be cooling in parts, and it might lead to unwanted lumps in it.
Screening Is Also Essential:
The process of screening includes the way one makes the topmost layer even in texture with the help of a straight board. This is not something which can be done alone. You would need the help of at least one more person to help you with the task of leveling, who would be on the other side of the wooden frame. If you feel that the task of leveling is a bit tough for you, you may also go for expert help.
Use the Techniques of Bull Floating and Hand Floating for Better Results:
Although exposed concrete aggregate is supposed to be grainy and have a little rough surface after drying, when the pathway is being made, you must try to avoid the formation of holes. After screening, bull floating helps to make the pathway smoother and fills up the holes which might be formed while pouring. You can use hand floating to make the surface smoother.
Use Chemical Retarder and A Nylon Plastic for Better Results:
It becomes very troublesome if the topmost layer of the exposed concrete aggregate drives up and the inner layers don’t. To prevent this, it is advised that you spray a good number of chemical retarders on the top layer of the concrete aggregate to keep the top layer moist. After spraying the chemicals, you must cover it with a nylon sheet. This is also a great way to keep the exposed concrete aggregate soft, and therefore let the inner layers dry faster than the upper ones.
Along with these tips, you must also go for the construction only when the weather is sunny, as this helps the concrete to dry faster than on other days.