12 most common mistakes when pouring concrete

This is one DIY to avoid when it’s hot and humid. Pouring concrete when it’s hotter than 27 degrees C is risky because your concrete can begin hardening sooner than you can get it poured and trowelled. Pouring concrete when there’s danger of frost is also a problem because concrete loses a tremendous amount of strength if it freezes before curing. Moderate temperatures are always the best for pouring concrete.

A poured concrete project is only as accurate as the forms that held the concrete while it was wet. That’s why it pays to check and double-check your forms before any pouring happens.

Strength is another issue. Concrete is really heavy stuff, and the taller your forms the stronger they need to be. “If in doubt, build it stout” definitely applies to concrete forms. A form that blows out during a concrete pour is a disaster, so use lots of wood and braces when building your forms.

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Source: Family Handyman