[TowerTalk] Cure for slump in fresh base pour?

[FireBrick]

As a retired licensed Chicago mason contractor I can offer a simple fix.

Steel columns are never set directly onto the concrete piers.
They always leave a small gap.
They fill this gap with a product called Four Star non shrinkable grout.
(that is a local brand name)

It's a fast drying cementicious mix.
I suggest you mix up a small amount, pour it onto the concrete and then place your metal 
base down with enough pressure to squeeze out the excess. Use a small tool to cut the 
excess off at the edge of the base with a slight bevel.
Level and let cure.

This prevent water and the accumulation of leaves etc. under the metal base which helps to 
prevent rust formation.

A bag of grout only costs a few bucks, You will end up throwing the rest away as it will 
harden once the bag is unsealed.
If you happen to see a construction site where they are setting steel, you may be able to 
trade a six pack for a gallon of grout.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Hybiske" <thomas.hybiske at verizon.net>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 1:10 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Cure for slump in fresh base pour?


I poured a base for a short tower over the weekend.  I'm installing a Rohn clone tilt-over 
base plate.  After the pour, a thin sheet of plywood and the base plate was used to align 
6 J-bolts in the wet concrete.  I guess I must have leaned on the center of the template 
because after removal of the template, there is a nice 3/16-1/4 in. slump at the middle of 
the base which collects and holds water.  But as hard as I tried to foul this pour up, the 
base is dead level.  Case of luck beats skill I guess. Now I'm afraid of water will 
collect and freeze under the base plate and cause havoc.  Is there skim coat material 
available that I could trowel on to remove the slump?  Should I just leave it as is and 
not worry about it.

Tom, K3GM
_______________________________________________

See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", 
and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, 
W2FLA.

_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk at contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk