Concrete Project Pre-Pour Checklist

Based on ACI 301 best practices · roughestimator.com/concrete-calculator

1. Site & Sub-grade Preparation

• Excavation depth correct — at or below frost line for footings
• Sub-grade compacted (no soft spots, no loose fill)
• Minimum 4 in compacted gravel base installed and leveled
• Vapor barrier (6-mil poly) placed for interior slabs
• Grade slopes away from structure (minimum 2% for drainage)

2. Formwork

• Forms staked securely — no movement when walked on
• Form height matches target slab thickness (4 in / 5 in / 6 in as specified)
• Forms level or at correct grade for drainage
• Expansion joint material placed at all fixed boundaries (house, curb, post bases)
• Forms oiled or release agent applied
• All penetrations (pipes, conduit, anchors) positioned and staked

3. Reinforcement

• Rebar size and spacing matches engineer spec or code minimum (#3 or #4 at 18 in O.C.)
• Rebar supported at correct cover (1.5 in from bottom for slabs on grade)
• Rebar tied at intersections
• No rebar resting on ground — chairs or dobies in place
• WWF (welded wire fabric) lapped minimum 6 in at seams (if using WWF instead of rebar)
• All hooks and bends match plan at edges

4. Mix Specification

• PSI specified: ____ (min 3,500 for driveways; 4,000 for structural footings)
• Ready-mix plant confirmed and batch scheduled
• Air-entrainment specified for freeze-thaw regions (5–7% air)
• Water-cement ratio: max 0.50 (do not add water on site)
• Fiber reinforcement added if surface cracking is a concern

5. Weather Window

• Air temperature 50–90°F for 24 h before and after pour
• No rain forecast within 2 hours of pour completion
• Wind speed below 15 mph (or evaporation retarder on hand)
• Tarpaulins and curing blankets staged if cold weather expected
• Mixing water pre-chilled or ice added if ambient temp above 85°F

6. Tools & Crew

• Screed board and stakes set to correct grade
• Bull float / darby staged
• Edger and jointing tool ready
• Concrete vibrator available (for walls, columns, or large footings)
• Wheelbarrows or pump truck arranged
• Minimum crew count confirmed for pour size
• Personal protective equipment: gloves, knee pads, rubber boots

7. Control Joints

• Joint spacing planned (max 8–10 ft for a 4-in slab; 10–12 ft for 5 in)
• Joint depth ≥ ¼ slab thickness (saw-cut within 4–12 h of pour or tooled immediately)
• Joint layout sketched or marked on form edges

8. Curing Plan

• Curing method selected: wet burlap + poly / curing compound / white-pigmented compound
• Curing compound available on site (if spray curing)
• Curing blankets available for cold or hot weather
• Minimum cure duration marked on calendar: 7 days before foot traffic, 28 days before vehicles

9. Permits & Inspection

• Building permit pulled and posted on site
• Rebar inspection completed (if required by jurisdiction)
• Inspector notified of pour date and time