The Meeker herald., 1907-09-21
Concrete Floors.

tion.-Rawlins Republican.
Concrete Floors.
Too much care cannot be exercised
in preparing the foundation for a con-
crete floor. This should always be
well drained and firmed, to depth
o., from 8 to inches below the CON-
crete.
At the Colorado Agricultural Col
lege we find that 1t pays to thorough
ly tamp this foundation before put
ting on the mixture. If the soil con-
.tains great deal of clay, it may be
necessary to remove part Of 1t and to
fill in with broken stone, gravel, or
cinders to within four or six inches
of the proposed finished surface, de-
pending on the thickness Of the floor.
Blind drains Of coarse gravel or tile
may be laid from the lowest points
in the excavation to carry off any
water that ,may accumulate beneath
the structure.
For the construction Of the ordin-
AIRY stable or barn floor, which is not
ito carry any great weight, the follow
ing proportion Is to be recommended
for the concrete base: part cement.
p l-2 parts clean, sharp sand, and 3
parts Of loose gravel or broken stone.
This should be finished on the surface
with to 1-2 inch layer Of IL mix
ture Of one part cement and l 1-2 to 2
parts Of clean, sharp sand. The total
thickness of this floor must be from
Is to inches, depending upon the
load it has to carry.
For engine foundations, floors or
driveways over which heavy loads
pass, the following proportion is to
Ebe recommended: one part cement,
two parts sand, and four parts broken
stone or gravel.
For III largo floors 1t is advisable
ito plal thsSoaesets in sections not
EtS, e - Ssss square. Thia may
tbe done BY placing two inch plank
lof width equal to the desired thick
ness Of the floor on edge rs box In
which the concrete is tamped until
water begins to show on top. Make
several of these forms, holding the
plank in place by means of stakes
driven into the under surface. These
stakes should be driven on the outside
Of the form go that they may be easi-
ly removed after the concrete has set
and the planks have been taken out.
Fill alternate forms at first, tamping
the concrete thoroughly, especially
the edges. On the same day, as soon
as the concrete has set, remove the
crosswise plank and fill in the forms
not filled In at first. Mark the side
planks to show exactly where the
points come.
The finishing coat should be spread
on before the concrete has set. To
make this of uniform thickness it is
best to place either or l 1-2 inch
wood strips, as desired, on top of the
concrete over which straight edge
may be run. Smooth with a trowel
for smooth surface, or with wood
en- float for rough surface. Groove
exactly over the joints of the con-
crete so as to bevel the edges OF the
block.
Do not trowel the surface too much
until it has begun to stiffen, as 1t
tends to separate the cement from
the sand and iniures the wearing
surface.
The floor should be constructed
with slope enough to carry all liquids
to certain points from which 1t may
be drained.
Protect the new floor from the di-
rect rays of the sun, currents Of air
and frosts, and keep constantly mois-
tened for several days. Water is very
important In the curing Of concrete
constructions and must be used liber-
ally.
Use nothing but the best cement
that can be obtained. The sand should
be clean, sharp and not fine; 1t should
be free from loan or clay, as these
will tend to destroy the adhesive
quality and retard the setting Of the
cement. Use clean, pure water for
mixing. Mix thoroughly. lamp
thoroughly. Water thoroughly.-H.
NJ. Bainer in State Agricultural Bull
letin.
School Notes.