How to Cap a Concrete Pier
Pier caps, which sit on top of concrete piers, provide an added aesthetic quality and prevent rainwater from affecting the brickwork underneath. The caps can be made of a variety of materials, but concrete and stone are most commonly used.
Things You Will Need
- Stone or concrete cap with drip groove
- Sand
- Cement
- Trowel
- Water
- Level
The caps extend over the edges of the concrete pier, keeping rainwater clear of the structure through the use of a drip groove.
-
Choose an appropriate material to use as the cap for the concrete pier. Ensure the pier cap is at least 1.5 inches wider than the wall on each face. Also ensure the cap contains a drip groove on the underside, where water will collect and fall before it can reach the masonry.
-
Mix the cement. This is best achieved on a hard surface, with the use of a mixture consisting of six parts sand to one part cement Mix materials together using a trowel or small spade, gradually adding water until the cement becomes wet throughout but remains dry and crumbly.
-
Cover the concrete pier with a 1/4 inch of cement mixture using a trowel. Ensure the concrete mix is evenly spread and extends to the edges of the concrete pier.
-
Place the cap on the concrete pier and ensure all edges sit equidistant from the edge of the brickwork. Use a level to ensure the cap lies flat. Remove any excess concrete that spills over the edges with the trowel. Allow the concrete to dry.
References
More Articles
