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Concrete finish for stable hardstanding

An existing customer has passed me a one-off job to lay a 8x3m concrete hardstanding for her stables.  We obviously need to have a textured non-slip finish, but can anyone tell me how you do this?!?!  I believe it might be to pass a soft brush over the top, but is that done when the concrete is wet or as it's setting or somewhere in between?  She's insistent that she wants her 2 ponies to walk on it after 48 hours, but we're nervous about this - if I lay boards down temporarily will that be OK or will it damage the setting process?

Sorry, lots of questions today - wouldn't normally take on concreting and would leave it to those who know best, but she's trying to be helpful and pass me some work to help recover from 3 weeks of snow!  Thank you

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  • Hi Angela
    Read this page http://pavingexpert.com/concrete.htm on Tony McCormack's website, Paving Expert.

    Answers to all your questions probably found on that page :)

    Andy
  • Cemex make a concrete mix specifically for stabling/livestock, called Readymix Stockfloor.

    There's a data sheet here
  • If you are worried about 'leakage' of effluent into the slab I would recommend a waterproofing agent be used in the mix and, probably more importantly that tamping and smoothing/polishing of the slab is done with care, before texturising the surface!

    I don't think it will be necessary to go for a premium product like above as I'm sure the hardest mechanical action the slab will see would be a shovel!
    From Romex's data sheet:
    Q. Why should I use Readymix Stockfloor instead
    of my normal mix?
    A. Readymix Stockfloor has been developed with advice
    from leading designers and experts in farm building
    design. It aims to satisfy the changing needs of the
    agricultural industry. It is also suitable for mechanical
    operations such as use of automatic scrapers, etc.


    HTH
    Andy
  • shes trying to get the job dome cheap - why would she help you ??? come on !

    no chance - how much does a horse weigh on 3or4 3'' round shoes ! not after 48hrs in this weather ...
  • 8x3 m = 24 x 10ft by 1ft will cost about £400 min ready mix- will deliver..................just a help

    it will cost you the same to mix yourself with labour and 2 very bad backs....
  • 1200 gauge Visqueen to base, A393 mesh with 200mm pitch cut and tied to adjustable v chairs spaced @400mm ctrs running the entire length of the pour.

    Cant help with m3 as no depth is spoken about.

    RC 35 air entrained concrete will allow the ponies to walk on within 48 hrs as this product doesn't stay green for long, goes off very quickly. (On hot days Ive seen this going off in the shoot, this material is used on all supermarket services yards where the lorries off load to the stores.)

    Jack up a youngerman board and plastic float the concrete as you level off, this will bring up the fat, stiff wide brush to score the concrete, use youngerman as your governing lines and a Harrison trowel edge finish to all perimeters will ensure you meet the clients criteria , cover with hessian and you'll be returning for additional works later down the line.
  • Thank you so much everyone, this is a massive massive help.

    Kerry - can you link the youngermans together to cover a span of 12ft to be able to walk across them without resting on the actual concrete. We've just used gravel board for the edging. Can these be hired, otherwise it's a no-go as we can't afford to buy them.

    To be honest, this job is becoming a nightmare - the client is proving herself to be a huge pain you know where, and to answer Robin's note, yes indeed, it's now clear she wants a rolls royce job for a austin allegro cost, she's never happy. I met a builder at the property yesterday who knows her well and who's saying we'll have trouble with her. Problem is that we're already committed, materials are on site, edging and hardcore is layed and we're ready to go. And now we're off there this morning to tell her we don't recommend we lay the slab today afterall until the risk of tomorrow's snow has passed. I suppose you live and learn ---- and I must start learning to say no to some jobs!

    Thanks again everyone - I knew I could rely on you ! :)
  • You could use concrete with fibres in instead of having to lay mesh. It does go of a bit quicker and I would use a soft brush not stiff for doing a brush finish but it does depend on how long you leave it to 'go off' before you try to brush it.
    Also concrete takes min 1 week to reach its first hardness it might be ok for people to 'walk' on it the next day but as has already been said the colder and damper the weather the longer it takes to cure. You should tell the client at least a week better if 2 though and if they still insist on be able to use it after 2 days you should price in for sheeting over with half inch ply in my opinion.
  • "Kerry - can you link the youngermans together to cover a span of 12ft to be able to walk across them without resting on the actual concrete. We've just used gravel board for the edging. Can these be hired, otherwise it's a no-go as we can't afford to buy them"

    Definitely not, regardless of any persons weight.

    Place 7n blocks on the flat and build up to a level both ends that reaches a sufficient height with the board and your concrete finisher on, if the under side sags then put another block under each end.

    you can hire from as little as £9 pw or buy for under £110,

    http://www.ecscaffolding.co.uk/ecas/forms/frmStock_3.aspx?departmen...

    pour the project in one hit and don't have any cold joints

    Any cementitious material must be used at 3 degrees and rising, this is a golden rule which must be adhered to.

    When using a soft brush on a Brush finished slab you'll leave very little impressions, the ponies will wear this down in no time, try leaving the slab for as long as possible before undertaking the task, you can check when the concrete ready for the brush application by merely standing gently on the slab , what your looking for is the slightest of indentations of your foot print.

    Tip: Keep up tight with the Harrison trowel edge as you'll find it a nightmare and time consuming as the aggregate will keep snagging the beveled edge below the concrete

    And remember the more you play ,with concrete the wetter it will become, familiar.! Fat is drawn to the surface which will extend your time working on the project.

    When the animals do eventually wear down the finish you could explain prior to such event that you'd willingly supply a price for Compressor, air lines and a needle gun/pole scabbler to descale the entire surface which will also be no slip.

    http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/products.php?cat=Air%20Needle%2...


    hope this helps you.
  • You're a star Kerry!

    Kerry Jackson said:
    "Kerry - can you link the youngermans together to cover a span of 12ft to be able to walk across them without resting on the actual concrete. We've just used gravel board for the edging. Can these be hired, otherwise it's a no-go as we can't afford to buy them"

    Definitely not, regardless of any persons weight.

    Place 7n blocks on the flat and build up to a level both ends that reaches a sufficient height with the board and your concrete finisher on, if the under side sags then put another block under each end.

    you can hire from as little as £9 pw or buy for under £110,

    http://www.ecscaffolding.co.uk/ecas/forms/frmStock_3.aspx?departmen...

    pour the project in one hit and don't have any cold joints

    Any cementitious material must be used at 3 degrees and rising, this is a golden rule which must be adhered to.

    When using a soft brush on a Brush finished slab you'll leave very little impressions, the ponies will wear this down in no time, try leaving the slab for as long as possible before undertaking the task, you can check when the concrete ready for the brush application by merely standing gently on the slab , what your looking for is the slightest of indentations of your foot print.

    Tip: Keep up tight with the Harrison trowel edge as you'll find it a nightmare and time consuming as the aggregate will keep snagging the beveled edge below the concrete

    And remember the more you play ,with concrete the wetter it will become, familiar.! Fat is drawn to the surface which will extend your time working on the project.

    When the animals do eventually wear down the finish you could explain prior to such event that you'd willingly supply a price for Compressor, air lines and a needle gun/pole scabbler to descale the entire surface which will also be no slip.

    http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/products.php?cat=Air%20Needle%2...


    hope this helps you.
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