How to Install Reinforcing for Concrete Foundations

Select fiber mesh if you want your concrete supplier to do the work. Because the water-soluble bags of fiber mesh are put into the concrete slurry and mixed until the concrete is the proper consistency, the fiber mesh must be added to the concrete at the plant. Although fiber mesh does add strength to concrete surfaces, it will not prevent small cracks from increasing in size. Therefore, it should be used in conjunction with another reinforcing technique or only for small projects.

Opt for rebar reinforcements if you want a sturdier concrete surface without a lot of added expense. Before pouring your concrete, create a grid of 4-foot squares with rebar rods in the concrete footer. If needed, cut the rebar with a circular saw equipped with a metal blade. Using special wire ties, secure the intersections of the grid by tying the adjoining rods together. Place small pieces of brick or rock under each intersection of the grid, so the rebar will be in the center of the poured concrete. Pour the concrete as usual and allow it to cure properly.

Choose wire mesh concrete reinforcement for easy layout of the reinforcing materials. Wire mesh must be installed before pouring the concrete. Place the wire mesh sheets, typically 10 feet by 10 feet, inside the footer, overlapping the edges by 6 inches until the entire area has been covered. Position small pieces of brick or rock under the wire mesh to keep it in the center of the concrete, or you can pull it up while you are pouring the concrete. To pull it up, hold the mesh up with your hands while your partner is pouring the concrete through it. When you let go of the mesh, it will fall down into the concrete, but it may need to be pushed down slightly, because it must be at least 1 inch below the surface. Allow the concrete to cure as usual.