MAKING CONCRETE FLOORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18520, 3 October 1923, Page 14

MAKING CONCRETE FLOORS.

The first step in making a concrete floor is to remove all manure and other foreign ■• matter, and then to grade the surface of ■ the ground. For this purpose it is best to use a spirit level and a iFairly long mason's straight-edge. ■ Such earth fillings as may be necessary must be damped and tamped very tightly,' and allowed to lie in that state as long as possible before the concrete is put on. The latter should be kept from direct contact - with the earth by placing a layer several inches thick of gravel or crushed rock over the surface. of the levelled-off ground. The floor should be isloped about £in. per foot away from the mangers or feeding troughs, and should be 'made about 4in. thick. The 'usual proportions 3of f concrete for such floors are 1 part cement to 2£ parts of. sand and 5 parts of crushed stone, or 1 part of cement to. 5 parts of good clean gravel; The mixing should be done on a light wooden 1 platform • ,(never on tho ground), and ' continued until the colour of the mass is a'unifonn grey, enough water being added :to make, it "quaky. 'Each batch must be placed as rapidly and as« evenly as possible (oh the: floor. If the gravel is of good 'quality, and has about the right proportion of .clean, . sharp sand in it, no finishing I .mortar- should be required. Such a mortar is generally mixed in the proportion of 1 pari _of cement jto 2 parts of sand, and is applied lin. thick to the 3in. concrete base before the latter has finished setting. To ; provide good ; footing for the animals, a finish on the floor should be made -with' a wooden or if a stool float finish is made it should be roughened with a stable broom. vTJio finished floor, should be kept thoroughly wet, and protected from drying winds and . the sun for the first week or ten days. Wet sawdust can be used with advantage for this purpose as soon:: as the ; surface is sufficiently hard. . As to the labour, ordinary farm help can do the work very well. - ■ ; -■;■'/.' - ■'■- '■"■■: