Key Points
When pouring a cement sidewalk, wire mesh isn’t always necessary but it does provide certain advantages.
- Mesh screening or wiring, such as woven wire mesh, is important in cement work because it enhances the strength of the concrete by providing tensile support and preventing cracks.
- For sidewalks, mesh is typically not used as frequently as it is in driveways or patios, where additional strength is more crucial.
- Sidewalks often have expansion joints placed every 6 to 8 feet to prevent cracking by allowing for movement in the concrete.
- While not necessary, using mesh in sidewalk projects can still result in a better, more durable job, as it further helps in preventing cracks.
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Transcript
LESLIE: Now we’re going to go to Dorothy in Nebraska who’s about to do some concrete work.
Dorothy, what you got going on over there?
DOROTHY: What is the importance of using mesh screening or wiring of some degree in cement when laying a cement sidewalk?
LESLIE: Well, it helps it to adhere.
TOM: Yeah, and it also gives it strength. That’s called woven wire mesh. It’s a heavy, heavy wire. See, concrete by itself is only strong in compression. It’s not strong in tensile strength. And what that means is it can easily crack. But if you have reinforcing steel bars that go through it or the wire mesh, that makes it a lot stronger.
Now in a sidewalk, typically they don’t put metal mesh in; they don’t put the mesh in there. But if it was like a driveway or a patio, they would. And with a sidewalk, you usually pour it in more narrow pieces and you put expansion joints about every six feet or so or eight feet or so, so that if the slabs of concrete want to start to move, they don’t crack. Is that what you’re doing, Dorothy?
DOROTHY: So then it doesn’t matter whether it’s used or not in a sidewalk section?
TOM: In a sidewalk, it doesn’t matter as much as if it was a concrete patio or driveway. However, having said that, I will tell you that it’s a better job if you use it.
DOROTHY: It would help prevent cracks.
TOM: That’s correct.
DOROTHY: Thank you.
TOM: Okay, Dorothy?
DOROTHY: Thank you very much.
TOM: You’re welcome. Thanks so much for calling 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
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