Pouring the floor in your basement can seem like a major milestone and most possibly the last one that you need to accomplish. However, it’s not the only task that you have to address. Pouring itself isn’t that easy because the major issue with it is that of getting the timing right.
Do you pour the floor in your basement once you’re done with the framing and insulation? Do you pour the floor and then frame your basement? If so, you can end up facing a lot of questions and queries.
On the other hand, you can read this post and
Here’s The Right Time to Pour the Floor into the Basement:
Usually, homeowners trying to remodel or improve their homes on their own can struggle with some basic questions. One of those questions is when to pour the floor in the basement or, better yet, after what they should pour the floor in the basement.
It’s one of the most intriguing questions for DIY remodelers. We’re here to tell you that you should pour the floor in your basement after checking the temperature.
You can pour the floor in the basement before anything else. The right time to pour the floor in your basement is when its temperature is strictly between 50 F° and 70 F°.
At this temperature, flooring is easier to spread, level, and adjust on the ground. You will be able to strategically spread the flooring over the slabs.
Plus, at that temperature, after the floor has spread evenly across the basement, it will set better.
In fact, if you didn’t know this before, it’s possible and much better to frame the basement after the poured floor is all dried up and solid.
It provides a better foundation and working area for you to adjust the frames and start adding the insulation material.
Don’t ignore the need to time the pouring task right. You also have to plan the process in detail and check for the follow-up flooring options as well.
What Need to Be Done Before Pouring the Basement?
It’s possible to lay concrete over gravel if necessary. However, experts generally disregard that and recommend other alternatives. In simple words, you will have to do a few things in sequence to ensure proper flooring delivery.
You will have to dig to a certain depth in the basement, depending on the thickness and level of slabs. Once done, you will have to pour gravel that will fill up the spaces perfectly while blending with the concrete slabs.
Then, you will have to use a rake (i.e., its flat side) or similar equipment to level the surface in the basement. A level surface is necessary to make sure that when you pour flooring, it sets in equally and nicely.
You may have to tamper the surface after digging 2, 3, or 5 inches deep into the basement ground. Once you place the slabs, shove gravel, and level the surface, you will have to tamper it. You can use either a mechanical temper or the manual temper.
How To Prepare My Basement for Concrete?
Preparing the basement before pouring concrete flooring is quite easy. It’s not rocket science, and nearly any first-time DIY-er at their house trying to remodel the basement can get on with it.
Firstly, you will have to dig the basement to a certain depth. Secondly, as you reach the proper depth, you will have to create a level surface in the basement.
You can do that by using the flat side of the rake or similar equipment that you have available to you. Thirdly, you will have to use a tamper on the basement, whether mechanical or manual (i.e., using a hand).
Finally, you can start pouring rounded and small gravel evenly across the basement to a thickness of up to 2 inches. That’s for additional drainage purposes.
Can You Frame Before Pouring Concrete?
In simple words, yes, it’s possible to frame your basement without pouring the floor at all. However, it’s advised that you do that after you have poured the floor completely and it has strengthened.
Over 90 percent of homeowners who’re pouring the floor in their basement will do that before framing it. So, it’s much easier and more convenient that way. Usually, framing can begin right after seven days of pouring the floor because nearly 70 percent of the flooring can strengthen and bond well with the footers.
The strength and hold are moderate enough to hold the basement’s framing. However, keep in mind that if you’re pouring your floor, you will have to cut joint expansions during the initial 6-18 hours of the process.
You should avoid cutting joint expansions after 24 hours of pouring the flooring in the basement. Once the flooring is at adequate strength, you can begin framing the basement. Make sure you take professional support if you’re inexperienced.
What Comes After Footers Are Poured?
As the floor is poured in the footers inside the basement, you have to wait for the concrete to cure. It generally takes somewhere between 3 and 4 weeks. In simple words, it can roughly take 28 days.
Once the floor has cured, and the base is established, it’s time to remove footers and form boards. That’s when the framing process begins.
Conclusion
It’s possible to pour the basement floor at any time regardless of the weather if you time all the efforts right and plan well. For your information, many people consider sharing knowledge and experience with professional and experienced workers.
If you don’t prepare the flooring right and don’t plan it well before pouring it out in the basement, you will learn that pouring the floor can be a nerve-wracking task. But at ideal temperatures and right maintenance, you can achieve better results.
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