How to fill the floor with concrete: the necessary tools and materials, the composition of the floor cake, step-by-step instructions for pouring

Although pouring concrete onto the floor may seem like a difficult undertaking, you can accomplish excellent results if you have the proper equipment, supplies, and advice. Understanding the fundamentals will help you get started when pouring concrete for a new garage, basement, or even outdoor patio.

Let’s start by discussing the equipment and supplies you’ll need. Concrete mixers, shovels, wheelbarrows, screed boards, bull floats, and trowels are among the necessary equipment. Additionally, protective equipment like gloves and safety glasses are required. You’ll need water, gravel, sand, concrete mix, and possibly reinforcing materials like wire mesh or rebar.

Next, it’s critical to comprehend the floor cake’s composition. The various layers that comprise the concrete floor are referred to by this term. Usually, a base of compacted gravel is placed first, then a layer of sand, and finally the concrete. This multi-layered method guarantees a sturdy and steady floor.

Let’s now walk through the concrete pouring procedure step-by-step. Prepare the space where the concrete will be poured first. Make sure the ground is level and clear of any debris. Place the gravel base down and give it a good compression. Sand should then be added and smoothed out.

As soon as the foundation layers are prepared, erect the formwork. To hold the concrete in place, a wooden frame must be built around the space. Pour the concrete into the formwork after mixing it as directed on the package. Make sure the surface is smooth and even by using the screed board to level it.

Use the bull float to smooth the surface even more and eliminate any air bubbles once it has been leveled. After letting the concrete partially harden, apply the final touches with the trowel. Lastly, give the concrete enough time to cure while keeping it damp to avoid cracking. Several days are typically needed for this curing process, depending on the weather.

These instructions will provide you with a sturdy and long-lasting concrete floor. Always keep in mind that the secret to a successful concrete pour is patience and thorough planning.

Topic	Description
Necessary Tools and Materials	Shovel, wheelbarrow, concrete mixer, level, trowel, wooden stakes, rebar, mesh, concrete, water, plastic sheeting
Composition of the Floor Cake	Gravel base, sand layer, vapor barrier, insulation, reinforcing mesh, concrete
Step-by-Step Instructions	1. Prepare the base: Clear the area, lay gravel and sand, compact well. 2. Install vapor barrier and insulation: Spread plastic sheeting, add insulation panels. 3. Reinforce: Place rebar and mesh over the insulation. 4. Mix and pour concrete: Use a concrete mixer, pour evenly, spread with a shovel. 5. Level the surface: Use a trowel and level, ensure even surface. 6. Cure the concrete: Cover with plastic sheeting, keep moist for several days.

Advantages and disadvantages of concrete floors

Because concrete pouring is relatively inexpensive, it’s a good option.

Because of these benefits, concrete is used as a coating material.

• durability;
• strength;
• wear resistance;
• reliability;
• easy installation.

Furthermore, concrete floors make a great rough base because they are easily leveled after installation, making it simple to install finishing materials like tiles, porcelain stoneware, linoleum, laminate, or parquet.

Because concrete is a highly durable material, it is primarily used as a finishing coat when building workshops and warehouses.

Despite these benefits, the concrete surface has some drawbacks as well:

• high thermal conductivity;
• low noise insulation;
• labor intensity of work.

If these drawbacks are utilized constructively, they can all be avoided. For instance, you can install heated floors while laying a concrete screed. Since concrete is a good heat conductor, heating the space will take less time and coolant.

By adding another layer of insulating material, the amount of noise insulation can be decreased.

Tools and materials

It is advised to buy the following supplies and equipment in order to complete the installation of concrete pavements:

• building level, rule, beacons or guide rails;
• metal spatula, trowel, roller with a needle surface;
• containers for preparing the solution, shovels;
• water and vapor barrier materials.

In addition, if the base is a soil surface, you will require backfill materials, insulation, and a metal mesh for screed reinforcement.

In order to make concrete, you must buy:

• M400 cement;
• medium-fraction river sand;
• gravel or crushed stone.

It is advised to use clean, cold water to dilute the cement-sand mixture. To strengthen the structure, crushed stone will be required; with these materials, the building will be able to support heavy loads.

– subfloor or screed – will differ (the concrete proportions are calculated using a portion of the "cement-sand-water" proportion).

The following values should be taken into account when calculating the quantity of concrete needed for the screed:

• for the subfloor – 1:2.8:0.45 (grade M200), 1:2.4:0.4 (grade M300);
• for screed – 1:3:0.55 (grade M150), 1:2.8:0.45 (grade M200).

It should be mentioned that the entire cement portion is used as a standard, and the ratios of the other ingredients are determined using that data.

Although pouring a concrete floor can seem difficult, it’s actually a simple process if you have the right equipment and supplies. This article walks you through every step of the process, from identifying the necessary supplies and equipment to comprehending the layers that comprise a suitable floor. We’ll guide you through every step to guarantee a smooth and long-lasting concrete floor. You can achieve professional results with the help of this guide, regardless of whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or just curious about the process.

Device technology

The idea behind making a pie with your hands will vary depending on where the screed is made of concrete.

1. Pouring the floor over the ground.
2. Screed device for interfloor slabs.
3. Pouring concrete to cover a cold attic.

The integration ceiling in thermal insulation will only be necessary as a noise insulator; additional insulation is advised for "cold" floors.

The procedure in this instance will be as follows:

1. The soil is carefully compacted.
2. A sand and gravel cushion with a total layer height of 25-30 cm is laid on the bottom (gravel – 10 cm, sand – 15-20 cm).
3. A vapor barrier material is laid on top, then insulation and a waterproofing film are laid on it.
4. A reinforcing mesh is laid on top of the insulation layers and filled with concrete mortar.

1. A reinforcement frame made of metal rods is laid on the floor slab. For fixing, the rods must be inserted into the crown, which passes through the load-bearing wall.
2. The frame is filled with concrete mortar, the thickness of which should be more than 6 cm.
3. The poured surface is leveled with a rule. The surface of the surface is determined using the construction level and lighthouses.

The following actions are involved in installing concrete floors to cover a cold attic space:

1. A leveling layer of concrete screed is laid on the load-bearing concrete slab.
2. Then a vapor barrier material is laid.
3. Insulation with increased moisture resistance is laid on top of the vapor barrier.
4. Part of the concrete solution is poured onto the insulation and leveled.
5. A reinforcing frame made of thick metal wire or reinforcing bars is laid on top of the fill.
6. The “pie” is filled with the remaining part of the solution.

A rule must be used to level the poured solution, and a trowel or spatula can be used to sand specific areas.

Selection of insulation

Whether installing concrete screed on the ground, ceiling, or attic floor will determine what kind of insulation is used.

For instance, it is advised to use bulk material-expanded clay and lay it with a layer height of 30 to 50 mm when arranging floors on the ground. Expanded polystyrene comes in sheet form and is priced higher but is also of higher quality. Its thickness ranges from 100 to 150 mm.

Reinforcement of the concrete screed is required if insulation such as mineral wool or foam sheets are used. A metal mesh with wire that has a diameter of 3 mm can be used to reinforce the fill. A cell pitch of 100 x 100 mm is appropriate.

Composition of the floor pie

The materials layered one on top of the other to form a concrete floor are called "pies." Depending on whether the covering is poured on the ground, in the attic, or between floors, the "pie" will have a different composition.

On the ground is where the largest "pie" is placed.

To achieve it, the following layers must be laid:

• soil;
• laying of bulk materials;
• rough screed;
• waterproofing material;
• insulation;
• concrete screed.

Sand and crushed stone or large-fraction gravel are utilized as backfill materials. Crushed stone and sand should be layered at least 20 centimeters high. The sand and crushed stone mixture can be omitted if expanded clay is added.

The following constitutes the formation of the pie for floors above an uninsulated basement:

• floor slab;
• waterproofing material;
• insulation layer;
• vapor barrier;
• screed.

In the event that penoplex is utilized as a heat-insulating material, a vapor barrier layer becomes unnecessary.

The layers in the "pie" for interfloor and attic floors are the same as those in a basement; the only things that need to change are the vapor barrier and waterproofing materials. A dense film serves as a waterproofing material to keep out moisture.

Work procedure

The technology of applying a coating to the ground is the most labor-intensive procedure.

Concreting the floor in this instance entails the following:

1. The height of the future sex is noted on the walls.
2. The soil surface is thorough.
3. Fanding materials (crushed stone with sand or expanded clay) are laid on it.
4. All other layers are placed on the pouring of the above schemes.

If required, use metal rods connected in the net to reinforce the screed. The cells should be no more than 100 by 100 mm, and the bar should be secured with wire.

The installation of a formwork structure or guide rails is required if the overall height of the concrete coating is substantial.

In the event that the project calls for the installation of heated floors, the screed must be reinforced before pipes or a heating cable can be laid.

The work plan is the same for installing concrete surfaces above the basement and attic as it is for inter-story ceilings; the only difference is that there isn’t a pouring or compaction process involved.

Working tips

To guarantee the longevity and dependability of the coating, it is advised to follow these guidelines:

1. The backfill should be laid in separate layers. Each of them should be carefully compacted.
2. Vibrating equipment should be used when pouring concrete mortar. This is required to create a denser screed, as well as to remove air from the mass.
3. It is advisable to pour in one go to prevent drying out and cracking. In extreme cases, you can work in 2 stages.
4. After pouring, the floor must be leveled with a rule. The evenness of the surface must be checked with a building level.
5. To avoid large differences in height, you can use a self-leveling compound for self-leveling floors.

For the first five to seven days after pouring, it is advised to apply a film to the concrete surface and moisten it multiple times a day. At room temperature of at least +20 °C for one month, the floors gain their brand strength.

Although pouring concrete might seem difficult, anyone can accomplish it with the correct equipment and supplies. Basic supplies like cement, sand, gravel, and water are required, as well as tools like a shovel, trowel, and level. For a floor to be stable and long-lasting, there must be a layering structure underneath the concrete, or "floor cake."

Level the ground and add a layer of gravel to the base to provide drainage first. After that, erect a framework to keep the concrete in position. After thoroughly mixing the concrete, pour it into the framework and use a shovel and trowel to spread it evenly. To make sure the surface is smooth and level, use a level.

Allow the concrete to cure for at least a week after pouring. To avoid cracks, keep it moist during this period. After the concrete has dried completely, take the framework off. It is now time to use your new concrete flooring.

You can have a sturdy and durable concrete floor by carefully following these steps. Recall that the secret to a successful project is patience and close attention to detail. Cheers to concrete!

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