Loading…
31
Warning: My old way to handle a concrete pour versus using a power screed
I was helping my cousin with a small slab for a shed at his place in Grand Rapids last month. For years, I just used a simple magnesium hand screed, moving it back and forth in a sawing motion. It worked, but it was slow and left a lot of high and low spots we had to fix later. This time, he rented a 12-foot power screed with a gasoline motor. The difference was huge. That thing vibrated the concrete so well it practically leveled itself, and we finished the whole pour in about half the time. My arms weren't killing me at the end of the day, and the surface was way smoother right off the bat. I'm totally sold on renting one for any pour bigger than a sidewalk. Has anyone else made the switch and found it saved them a ton of back work?
4 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In4 Comments
kai_ramirez385mo ago
Wait, you guys were still using just a hand screed for a shed slab? That sounds like a brutal way to spend a Saturday. The power screed is a total game changer for anything bigger than a post hole.
7
milalewis5mo ago
Ever tried a magnesium screed with a couple pipe clamps? Lets you pull it smooth in one pass without killing your back.
1
ray6435mo ago
Power screeds are a total arm saver for sure. @milalewis that pipe clamp trick is clever for a budget fix, but once you go powered it's hard to go back.
1
kellyallen4mo ago
Wait, kai_ramirez38 said you guys were just using a hand screed for a shed slab? That sounds like a solid way to wreck your back for a whole weekend. I helped my buddy with his garage floor once using a hand screed and my arms were shot for two days after. Power screed is the only way to go for anything bigger than a sidewalk, no question.
1