How to iron a concrete blind area around a house

Maintaining a well-ironed concrete blind area around your home is one efficient way to ensure the longevity and durability of your home’s foundation. This straightforward but crucial chore helps shield the foundation from soil erosion and water damage, ultimately prolonging the life of your house.

Although ironing a concrete blind area may seem difficult, it can be simple and satisfying if you have the right equipment and a little perseverance. To make sure the concrete surface is level and flawless, this procedure entails smoothing it out. A smooth surface not only makes your house look better, but it also makes water runoff more efficient, which helps to avoid puddles and possible leaks.

It’s critical to comprehend the fundamentals of working with concrete as well as the necessary tools before you start. A trowel, a screed, and a finishing brush are a few essentials. Every single one of these tools is essential to getting a polished, seamless finish. Additionally, the outcome can be greatly altered by knowing when and how to iron the concrete, which is usually done during the curing process.

We’ll walk you through ironing a concrete blind area around your home step-by-step in this article. You will discover the methods for creating a long-lasting, visually appealing finish that will safeguard the foundation of your house for many years, from surface preparation to finishing touches application. Whether you’re a novice to home improvement projects or a DIY enthusiast, our step-by-step instructions will help you approach this project with confidence.

What is ironing concrete

Contrary to its name, iron is not needed for this procedure. In this context, "ironing" refers to applying a thin layer of liquid or dry cement mixture to strengthen a monolithic structure. As a result, the blind area now has more of the following features:

• water resistance;
• frost resistance;
• resistance to mechanical loads.

When the "pie" is finally laid, the blind area needs to be ironed either right away or a few weeks after the concrete mixture is poured. The base is strengthened by applying a thin layer of cement that contains plasticizers (like sodium aluminate, liquid glass, and others) or pre-made polymer mixtures.

To make sure a concrete blind area surrounding a house is long-lasting and presents well, there are a few important steps to ironing it. This tutorial will help you with surface preparation, tool selection, and application techniques to remove imperfections. Regardless of your level of experience with concrete work or DIY projects, these pointers will assist you in achieving a smooth, uniform surface that improves the external look and usability of your house.

Methods of ironing the blind area

There are three methods to protect the waterproofing structure: wet, dry, and with pre-made polymer impregnations.

Dry ironing

Although this ironing technique is more frequently applied to horizontal surfaces, it is still quite appropriate because the blind area has a small slope.

A thin layer of dry cement (about 2 mm) is evenly applied to the wet concrete solution a few hours (or, in the case of extreme heat, after 10-15 minutes) after the base is poured. For this, a regular sieve works best, but if you don’t have one on hand, you can use a sock or glove instead. Fill them with cement, then shake the area that is blind. The dry mixture is then leveled using a stainless steel trowel or hand float.

Practical! For the entire blind area, about one bucket of cement will be required.

Following that, you must wait a day and make an effort not to walk on the surface. You can move along the blind area safely and perform any tasks after three to four days.

When the layer dries, a waterproof crust will form on the surface.

Wet ironing

In order to wet iron the blind area, you must:

1. Prepare a solution of cement and sand in a 1:1 ratio, diluting it with water until a sufficiently liquid mass is obtained.
2. Add lime dough to the mixture (1/10 of the volume of the cement-sand mixture).
3. If necessary, you can add liquid glass or PVA glue to the solution.
4. Apply the mixture in a thin layer (no more than 2 mm) using a sprayer or a regular spatula.
5. Cover the surface with rags or polyethylene. This is necessary so that the water from the concrete does not evaporate too quickly. If the weather is hot, then the surface of the blind area will need to be moistened with water every day.

You have to wait 14 days before applying the liquid mixture, in contrast to the dry method. This period of time is required for the coating to sufficiently stiffen and for the structure of the poured blind area to stabilize.

Ironing with polymer compounds

Since the mixture doesn’t need to be prepared, this method is thought to be the simplest. You can get ready-made polyurethane impregnations at any hardware store. Among them, these are thought to be the best:

• Lithurin – a special impregnation that simultaneously holds back moisture, strengthens and dedusts the surface;
• Spektrin – a penetrating impregnation that increases the strength of concrete by 25-30%.
• Pentra – an impregnation that provides increased waterproofing of the surface.

With these compositions, the ironing process is essentially the same as the cement application process done wet. The use of a metal float in the polymer impregnation process is the only distinction.

Regarding the optimal method for handling the blind area, then:

• Ready-made compositions provide a higher quality and durable coating. Also, polyurethane mixtures can be applied at low temperatures (down to 0 degrees). However, the cost of such impregnations ranges from 300 to 750 rubles per package.
• Dry and liquid cement can only be applied at positive temperatures. This composition will cost much less, but to prepare it you will need a drill with a mixer attachment and a container.

Ensuring the longevity and visual appeal of your home’s exterior requires that you iron a concrete blind area around it properly. You can achieve a smooth and even surface that looks good, resists water damage, and improves the overall functionality of your outdoor space by using the right tools and following the right techniques.

It’s crucial to begin with a spotlessly clean, well-prepared surface. To improve the adhesion of the concrete, make sure to clear away any debris and lightly moisten the surrounding area. Work the concrete with a float to remove any air pockets and create a consistent texture. Although this step calls for steady hands and patience, the outcome will be well worth the effort.

Be mindful of the corners and edges as you iron the concrete. If not treated correctly, these regions are vulnerable to damage and cracking. To make sure these portions are as robust and seamless as the remainder of the blind area, carefully smooth them out with a trowel or smaller tool. To achieve a professional finish, even strokes and consistent pressure are essential.

Lastly, give the concrete time to properly cure. Although it could take a few days, it’s crucial to take your time with this process. Concrete that has been properly cured will have reached its peak strength and durability. Keep the surface damp and shield it from chilly weather and heavy foot traffic during this period. Your concrete blind area will create a strong, eye-catching wall surrounding your house once it has completely dried.

Using the proper technique and paying close attention to details can make ironing a concrete blind area a simple and satisfying process. It will contribute to the long-term preservation and upkeep of your property in addition to improving the exterior appearance of your house. Take your time, pay close attention to the instructions, and savor the advantages of a professionally done concrete project.

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