Finishing garage raft foundation

[isettaman]

A couple of questions for the experts.

I am ready to pour the concrete for my garage foundation (6.5m x 6m) which has rebar across it.

How do I safely manage to walk across the rebar when spreading the concrete and operating the magi screed I'll be hiring?

Also, I understand that the timing of the final float is critical so how long do I wait and are there any guides as to the condition of the concrete to show it is ready for this final smoothing?

Many thanks

Dave

[msh paving]

as long as the steel is tied and fixed well walking on it is no problems

with the magic screed don't rev it up flat out as you wont hold it it should vibrate well between tick over and full rev,

concrete will finish better if its not to wet magic screed work better on a stiffer mix if its too wet all you will make is a mess,you will be able to use magic screed as soon as you have poured it,take your time don't rush the magic a good man should be able to leave a good enough finish for a garage floor with a little floating around edges,you may need two passes to get a nice finish a magic screed is a good tool , but take your time to allow it to finish the concrete and to fill all holes,mine has a 3m screed which is big enough for most jobs i have a 1.2 m screed as well

[GB_Groundworks]

little faq and video on their site

http://www.magicscreed.com/magicscreed%20EN./steps.html
gi

[isettaman]

Thanks for that.

I'm still worried about the rebar. It's firm and I've walked on it while tying it down but not sure about getting a broken ankle when I can't see it under the concrete. 200mm squares are quite large and even my size nine wellies could slip into the gaps.
I did wonder about putting a smaller mesh, 100mm, across the bits that I'll bw walking on with the magi screed, what do you think?

Dave

[isettaman]

Great useful video, thanks

Dave

[msh paving]

its easy to walk on,just tread on the mesh,i do it all the time,do waste money on smaller mesh,

[seanandruby]

you woul'nt be the first man to trip up backwards and end up sitting in the concrete. :laugh: you will soon get used to walking on the stuff dont worry.

[isettaman]

Thanks for the reassurance, Sean. I'll have a go!

BTW I wonder what the HSE have to say about it?

Dave

[seanandruby]

Thanks for the reassurance, Sean. I'll have a go!

BTW I wonder what the HSE have to say about it?

Dave

good for you im sure you will be fine. i do mass pore slabs sometimes of 300 metres + even running into the 1000s +. they can be wide centres in the steel and over a metre deep. H&S dictate proper ppe. we put a walkway along fixed to the rebar and dismantle as we go. on a small slab like yours ppe will suffice. you wont have time to worry about tripping etc you'll be too busy working your balls off.

[isettaman]

:laugh: :laugh:

[Dave_L]

:laugh: :laugh:

Sean says it like it is! Good man!

[isettaman]

Sean says it like it is! Good man!

Dave, just to clarify, I was laughing in appreciation of Sean's humour. No offence intended.

Dave

[Dave_L]

Sean says it like it is! Good man!

Dave, just to clarify, I was laughing in appreciation of Sean's humour. No offence intended.

Dave

No offence taken, I can see how you read it, it wasn't meant like that!!!

[isettaman]

Poured the concrete on Thursday, 7cm of the stuff.
You were right about the rebar, I was dancing about (wading) like a professional??
Asked for a 5m chute and wagon arrived with only 3m so a lot more muscle work for my two 6ft lads to do. Mind you, only cost me two pairs of wellies, two pairs of gloves and two rakes.
The magic screed worked very well but I think I might have got too keen with the easy float as I've ended up with grains loose on the surface.
I take my hat off to you professionals!

Dave