3 Basic Steps Involved In Concrete Installation For Your Outdoor Kitchen And Entertainment Area
Installing a concrete foundation for an outdoor kitchen is hard work. You want professional results so your outdoor space has an attractive appearance, but when you install concrete yourself, you can get unpredictable results. When you're installing something as important as outdoor entertaining space, you may want to hire professionals to do the job. While installing concrete is hard work, the steps for installation entail these three basic actions.
1. Prepare The Base For Strong Support
The base for your outdoor space has to be cleared of vegetation, leveled, and compacted so the soil can support the weight of the concrete, kitchen appliances, and people without collapsing or shifting. The base also has to be shaped so water drains away from it, and rebar or wire mesh might be added for extra support. You may also need to place underground conduits for plumbing and wiring to your outdoor kitchen so they can be hidden under the concrete slab.
2. Install The Concrete And Level It
The concrete installation service will probably arrange for ready-mix concrete to be delivered to the job site. If your outdoor kitchen is in the backyard and the mixer truck can't reach it, then the concrete will have to be moved in wheelbarrows. This can be tricky work since the concrete has to be spread and in place before it starts to harden.
Even though the work is done in sections a wheelbarrow load at a time, there is no problem with sections not looking the same since the mixer truck is always in motion and the mix isn't drying out until it's poured into the wheelbarrow and moved to the slab.
3. Finish The Surface To Make It Attractive
There are several options for finishing concrete for an outdoor living space. At the very least, the concrete is leveled and the surface roughed so it isn't slick when wet. However, you may want something more attractive for an outdoor kitchen and entertaining area. Stamped concrete is a good option since patterns can be stamped in that make the concrete look like travertine tiles, slate, or brick.
The addition of color makes the stamped forms appear realistic. You may also want the concrete to be sealed once it has cured to protect it from stains and to give it a glossy appearance.
A concrete slab that's been professionally installed and finished is perfect for outdoor living and entertaining. You'll be proud to show off your beautiful new space, and since concrete is so durable, your outdoor living area will last a long time, giving you a good return on your investment.
To learn more, contact a concrete installation company.