4 Benefits to Laying and Pouring Concrete in Sections

sections of concrete walkway
  • 4-12 hours
  • Beginner
  • 10-200

Concrete can be an inexpensive solution that can last a long time and provide the ability to be creative by adding texture or color. This material has worked its way from our outdoor patios to our kitchen and bathroom counters, as it can be very versatile. A popular discussion among those pouring new concrete is what may be best: concrete sections or one solid slab. There are many advantages to pouring your concrete floor in sections, including extending the life and health of your concrete. Another advantage or sectioning is that you can do it yourself and do not have to hire an entire work crew to get the job done before the cement dries. Here are some other things to consider.

Avoiding Cracks

section of cracked concrete

Being sure you start with a nice smooth area can help extend the concrete's life. This is a little harder to do when you are doing a big slab. Starting with a solid foundation for your pour is the most crucial step. When handling concrete inside its form, weather, humidity, and the sun can all be factors. Having concrete sections can cut back on some of these problems for a better outcome. Concrete sections can make a large project easier to manage.

Longevity

Pouring concrete in sections can also extend the life of your poured surfaces, as the weight from a huge slab is not weighing in on the center of the piece like on huge slabs. The smaller areas allow for more control, and the ability to take the pressure off the entire piece holding large amounts of weight once it has dried. Sectioned concrete allows for more stability in the end product, allowing you to remove these types of issues from the finished project. You can specifically build in water runoff and drainage systems into panels as you go and help the water find its mark by altering the level or pitch on new slabs.

Repairs

smoothing out wet concrete

When something affects your concrete section and repairs need to be made, there is less work in taking out one panel and replacing it. One panel can easily be knocked out and removed and then re-poured with less effort than having to splint repairs into a slab. Most slabs are bedded with rebar and other stray metal to help the mold stick to itself. This includes allowing you to gain access to underfloor plumbing and drains with fewer worries of busting your entire floor.

Detailing and Surfacing

It is much easier to set patterns and designs into concrete sections, as you have a smaller amount of space to work with at a time. You can also pour some sections that you can work on immediately before laying new ones, allowing you better freedom of movement on the project. You have a better idea of leveling the area for the next panel before you start working on it and can also plan out drains, and other runoff spouts and the like as you go. Sectioning your floor allows more control as the project is being done, as you are not on time constraints to finish an entire slab before it sets.