Seven Things Your Concrete Contractor May Need To Do Before Getting To Work On Your Project
For a typical concrete job, there is a lot of prep work that needs to be done before the concrete can actually be poured. It's important that you're aware of necessary prep work so that you have a good idea of how your project will progress and what needs to be done before the pouring stage begins.
The following are seven things your concrete contractor may need to do before getting to work on your project.
Acquire any necessary permits
Depending on the municipality you live in and the type of concrete structure you're building, you may need to acquire certain permits before you can pour concrete at your site. Discuss permit needs with your concrete contractor to determine what the process is for acquiring needed permits.
Take out existing pavement
Prep work for your concrete project could take a while if existing pavement needs to be removed. If you need existing pavement to be removed, it's important to let your concrete contractor know and to discuss how concrete removal will be handled.
Determining the drainage needs of the sites
Drainage is a key consideration. If exposure of your concrete to water isn't controlled, your concrete surface is going to age prematurely and could become damaged. Sometimes, a layer of crushed stone can be installed beneath concrete to facilitate drainage beneath a concrete surface.
Scheduling a project start date
You need to work together with your contractor to schedule concrete work. A specific date estimation with your contractor for project start and completion dates helps you to plan things out and set a deadline for your construction project.
Installing any reinforcing materials
Having adequate reinforcing materials in place is essential to creating a sound and strong concrete structure. Reinforcing steel is effective at increasing the tensile strength of concrete, and it is necessary in a lot of concrete paving projects.
Determining the dimensions and design of the project
Before concrete is poured, it's essential that the required dimensions of the concrete form are determined. This way, precisely measured forms can be set and edges can be squared out properly to ensure aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound concrete.
Excavating and developing a base
Some concrete jobs require excavation of the site and construction of a base. Your excavation and base construction needs are determined by the preexisting surface and the environment that you'll be building in.
You should discuss the appropriate base material with your contractor. A stone base is often the best solution for supporting concrete structures.
To learn more, contact a concrete contractor.
