5 Steps How to Finish Smooth Concrete for Your Property

​Finishing smooth concrete is not an easy task that can be done by many since it requires skill and mastery in order to perfect it. In order to achieve the smooth finish you are aiming, we recommend that you seek for professionals to do the job to reduce errors when doing it on your own! Avoiding errors and failure in your work can help reduce future costs on repairs.

​Give our specialists at Style Concrete Renton a call at (425) 284-9457 for a professional and perfect finish!

​If you plan on learning or doing it on your own for your project, we suggest that you start small to test out these tips we will be giving you on how to finish smooth concrete for your property!

1. Pouring the Concrete

​Pouring takes a little muscle work since the mixture is heavy. Here we list a simple outline on how to pour concrete:

• Clear the Area. Clear it from grass, trees, shrubs that would interfere you when pouring. You must be able to see the raw earth exposed.
• Prep Your Subbase. Granular fill or road base is commonly used as subbase. You may also opt for closed-grade fine-grade stone or open-grade stone as well.
• Prep Your Form and Add Support. A wooden perimeter is usually used as a form. This is being secured by nails and screws that is build around. This can help you achieve a better form if it is well-built! Adding a wire mesh or rebar provides greater structure hold!
• Mixing. The main components are Portland cement, sand and aggregate. Mix it in with the ratio of 1:2:4. Add water to bind all of it together.
• Pour it! You get a truck to pour it for you. Otherwise, you can use a wheelbarrow and tilt it until you high point is reached.

2. Smoothing the Surface

Avoid making mistakes of troweling too much or troweling too soon! This can weaken your surface that can cause cracks. Use a magnesium float ($15-$25) or a wooden trowel ($8-$40) if you want to get a smooth surface.

​If you notice some bleed water coming to the surface, this is a good sign. Before doing anything else, allow the water to disappear. The time depends on the temperature, wind and humidity. It can take up to 20 minutes up to 5 hours. When the bleeding is done, you can put your final touches,

3. Create a Broom Finish

​Once you are finished with troweling, simply take a soft broom and gently drag it across the surface. This creates a non-slip finish. Pull the broom and NEVER push it! Just one pass of it will do the trick. A broom finish does the trick to avoid slips when your sidewalk is wet.

4. Concrete Curing

​The drying process may take several weeks, but if it is cured with a correct rate, it can minimize the chances of damage in the future. Curing chemicals are usually used by professionals, therefore it is better to consult them since they are more familiar with the process.

Call our contractors here at Style Concrete Renton at (425) 284-9457 for professional results!

5. Seal It

​Use a sealer to make it liquid damage resistant and this will make it easier for you to maintain. Make sure that the concrete is completely dry before you start sealing it. After sealing, allow it to dry before walking over it.

Concrete finishing is not an easy job to do and is mostly done by contractors for a professional finish. Contact our specialists here at (425) 284-9457 for perfect finishing results!