{"id":323,"date":"2021-01-22T11:24:08","date_gmt":"2021-01-22T11:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cohesivehomes.com\/?p=323"},"modified":"2022-06-13T07:24:00","modified_gmt":"2022-06-13T07:24:00","slug":"leave-dirt-before-pouring-concrete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cohesivehomes.com\/leave-dirt-before-pouring-concrete","title":{"rendered":"How Long to Leave Dirt Before Pouring Concrete?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The most difficult part of any concrete job isn\u2019t the mixing, pouring, or even smoothening the pour out, but the preparation. This is because all other parts of the process are relatively straightforward, but when it comes to preparation, numerous questions arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From whether the dirt is sufficiently compacted<\/u><\/a> to the adequate water levels, levelling the dirt, all the way to whether you can pour concrete directly over dirt. One of the most common questions asked in the preparation phase is how long to leave dirt before pouring concrete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left to its own devices, dirt won\u2019t settle for years to come. As it gets exposed to the weather, it may take anywhere from 7 to 12 years before it settles. For construction projects (no matter how small or large), you need to explicitly compact the soil with the help of excavators, rollers, or plate compactors, which can take a few hours to a day or two. Only after the dirt is settled should you pour concrete. Let\u2019s consider this concept in more detail.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Long to Leave Dirt Before Pouring Concrete \u2013 Explanation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"How<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

As mentioned above, dirt won\u2019t pack itself on its own. You are going to have to apply external pressure in order to speed up the settling process. Naturally, the more pressure you apply, the less you have to wait before pouring concrete<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For almost any purpose, it is essential to compact dirt to a certain degree \u2013 especially if concrete is involved. This is done so that no sink or potholes develop underneath the concrete base over time and therefore don\u2019t lead to cracks or shifts. This would otherwise end up decreasing the integrity of your structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal of your concrete base is to support the load, i.e., the weight, of the structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When working on any project, it is important to take into account the time you\u2019ll have to wait before pouring concrete, the time concrete should be given to cure (at least 7 days) and more. Remember, the more you wait, the stronger your foundation will be as concrete continues to cure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people agree that concrete reaches its maximum strength at the 28-day mark (but the NPCA disagree with this<\/a>), but that strength is almost entirely contingent upon how well-compacted the dirt is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve used a plate compactor or an excavator to compact dirt, you really don\u2019t have to wait long<\/strong>. An hour at most would be sufficient to let dirt and dust settle before you start pouring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have used a combination of water and rollers (or stompers) to compress the dirt, it is usually a good idea to wait for at least 4-6 hours<\/strong>. This is so that excess water gets drained or rises to the top. If water does rise, drain it out before pouring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you haven\u2019t compressed dirt, it isn\u2019t a good idea to start pouring until at least 7 years pass<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What If I Pour Concrete Without Leaving Dirt to Compress?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Putting
Putting mixed concrete into footings for retaining wall<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Let\u2019s say you\u2019re on the clock and don\u2019t have a plate compactor or roller on hand. So, instead of compressing your dirt or waiting for it to settle, you just put on your work boots, lift some weights and start walking on the dirt until it levels out. What would happen?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all; that\u2019s how you compact topsoil for plants and vegetables; not for concrete. If you pour concrete over such soil without waiting, you are in for some expensive repair costs in the future \u2013 not to mention the level of risk you\u2019re exposing your structure to.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pouring concrete, albeit a straightforward process, can get really expensive considering the overall material costs, the efforts you put in, and the time you invest in your project. So, since you already have your hands dirty, why not do it right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an ideal world, every bit of air in the dirt you pour would be gone instantly, the concrete would cure instantly, and it would be able to reinforce not only the structure on top but also be able to hold its own weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, that isn\u2019t the case. In the real world, pouring concrete on dirt before letting it settle can lead to a number of problems, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n