Add Wire Mesh Reinforcement

What happens in this clip

To reinforce the concrete top, cut and place wire mesh inside the assembled form. Use an angle grinder to precisely cut the wire mesh to fit within the boundaries of the form and around the central cutout. Position the mesh so it will be embedded within the concrete, typically about one-third to halfway up from the bottom of the pour. This reinforcement helps prevent cracking and increases the overall strength of the concrete.

Goal: Reinforce the concrete top with wire mesh

What's used

Tools

• Angle Grinder Milwaukee
• Metal snips (for thinner gauge mesh)
• Heavy-duty Gloves Mechanix Wear
• Safety Glasses
• Wire Mesh
• Fiber mesh additive

About the full video

This project guides you through building a custom concrete gas fire pit table from scratch, incorporating a reinforced concrete top and a metal framed base finished with stacked stone veneer. The process covers creating the concrete form, pouring and finishing the concrete, constructing the metal frame, installing cement backer board, applying a scratch coat, tiling the base, and finally, installing the gas fire pit components.

Step 4 of 10: Place Rebar or Wire Mesh

Cut rebar or wire mesh to fit inside the formwork, ensuring it is elevated slightly off the gravel base. You can use rebar chairs or small pieces of gravel to keep it suspended. This reinforcement will prevent the concrete from cracking under stress.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Pour a Concrete Landing Pad for Deck Stairs

1. Step 1: Excavate Area

   • 13:17–15:33 Prepare Stair Base and Pour Concrete Pad
   • 0:04–0:15 Site Preparation and Trench Digging
   • 4:20–8:36 Prepare & Pour Concrete Pad

2. Step 2: Install Formwork

   • 2:04–2:33 Build and Position Concrete Form
   • 0:33–0:47 Formwork Installation
   • 0:00–0:34 Lay Out and Assemble Initial Form Boards

3. Step 3: Add and Compact Gravel Base

   • 2:21–2:33 Add & Compact Basecourse
   • 3:15–4:05 Lay and Compact Gravel Base
   • 0:20–0:38 Prepare Gravel Base

4. Step 4: Place Rebar or Wire Mesh

   • 2:45–3:06 Add Steel Reinforcement (Rebar)
   • 1:30–1:40 Add Wire Mesh Reinforcement (this video)
   • 5:41–6:46 Rebar Placement for Reinforcement

5. Step 5: Mix and Pour Concrete

   • 0:30–0:42 Pour and Level Concrete
   • 3:10–3:41 Pour and Screed Concrete
   • 1:58–2:31 Mix and Pour Concrete

6. Step 6: Screed the Concrete

   • 0:04–0:13 Screed the Concrete
   • 0:24–1:01 Screed the Concrete Surface
   • 0:17–0:45 Screed the Concrete Surface

7. Step 7: Float the Concrete

   • 0:16–0:25 Float the Concrete Surface
   • 0:44–0:46 Hand Float Concrete Surface
   • 1:15–1:29 Float Concrete

8. Step 8: Finish the Concrete

   • 0:07–0:11 Trowel for Smooth Concrete Finish
   • 10:04–11:22 Final Troweling and Finishing
   • 3:30–4:49 Concrete Floating and Troweling

9. Step 9: Cure the Concrete

   • 2:08–2:39 Cure Concrete
   • 0:57–0:59 Cure Concrete and Remove Forms
   • 5:50–6:12 Cure the Concrete

10. Step 10: Remove Formwork

    • 8:43–10:04 Remove Form and Backfill
    • 4:03–4:08 Remove Formwork
    • 0:52–0:54 Remove Formwork