When you work with concrete, you don't want to cut corners. Each step in the process of mixing, pouring, vibrating, and finishing plays a role in the structural integrity of the final product.
Whether you're pouring a slab for a new home, creating a raised patio, or building a sturdy wall, having the right tools and knowing how to use them makes a difference.
In this article, we'll cover the role of concrete vibrators and why it is necessary to vibrate concrete.
What is a Concrete Vibrator?
A concrete vibrator, also called a concrete vibrating poker, is a tool used to remove air bubbles from freshly poured concrete. Without concrete vibration, air pockets can get trapped in your concrete, creating a honeycomb effect or "bug holes."
These holes impact the overall integrity of the final project and can cause the wall, slab, or form you've poured to break down much more quickly than it otherwise would.
Types of Concrete Vibrating Pokers
At RuggedMade, we offer three popular types of concrete vibrating pokers: the gas-powered backpack concrete vibrator, a gas-powered handheld concrete vibrator, and an electric handheld concrete vibrator. These options allow you to choose the one that works best for your project and your personal needs.
Our gas-powered vibrating pokers feature Honda four-stroke engines for reliability, and the electric poker comes with a reinforced cable to reduce excessive bending. All are designed to handle tough environments and make construction jobs easier.
How to Use a Concrete Vibrating Poker
Concrete vibration should happen immediately after the concrete is poured. The process of using a concrete vibrator is straightforward but requires some patience. Here are the basic steps:
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for turning the unit on.
- Lower the poker head to the surface of the concrete and let it sink under its own weight. Do not force the tool into the mixture.
- Once the head has reached the bottom, hold it there for five to fifteen seconds, waiting for bubbles to stop rising. Then, slowly lift it straight up and completely out of the concrete.
- Move the poker head to the side and lower it to the surface again to repeat the process.
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Continue the process until you've successfully vibrated each inch of concrete, ensuring no air pockets are left in it.
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Turn off the unit and clean it thoroughly.
How far you move the head depends on the diameter of the head. For example, our CV55R Concrete Vibrator features a 1.5" diameter head. A good rule of thumb is to multiply the diameter by four to get the distance that the concrete will be affected by the vibrations.
For example: 4 x 1.5 = 6
Then multiply the distance by two to find how far you should move between insertions. In our example, you'll want 12 inches between them.
Mistakes to Avoid with Concrete Vibration
There are a couple of things to keep in mind when vibrating concrete:
- Avoid dragging the shaft horizontally through the concrete. If you drag the shaft through the mix, you can create mortar channels within the concrete, severely reducing its strength and durability.
- Do not over-vibrate or under-vibrate. Over-vibrating concrete will cause the heavier parts of the mix to sink to the bottom while under-vibrating it will cause the heavier aggregate to collect at the surface. For this reason, you should keep the shaft in the concrete for a minimum of five seconds and a maximum of 15 seconds.
There's no better feeling than completing a project, knowing your results will endure. You can enjoy that feeling every time if you use the right tools for the job. That's why RuggedMade offers well-designed, durable products to get the job done.
