The day finally came for the concrete slab to be poured.   There needed to be the correct recipe of weather, concrete mix, and of course the availability of the concrete crew.  The crew started about 6:30 am, working feverously to organize the concrete truck, inspections, and workers.  The concrete was pumped from the truck using a boom in order to guide the concrete into place. The top surface is rarely placed at the exact specified elevation, so screeding brings the surface to the required elevation by scraping off the excess concrete.  For our slab, the crew used machines that utilized lasers in order to level the slab.

Once the concrete had time to set and the surface began to harden, the crew used machines to trowel the concrete. Concrete can be given a smooth finish with a trowel and a float. The float is used to smooth out the concrete on the first rubbing. A trowel is used to five the concrete a finishing touch.

Finally, the crew worked into the night in order to cut the control joints into the slab.  The control joints are cut in a grid pattern and help to control the expansion and contraction of the concrete as it cures.