Concrete Combined Curb and Gutter
82. Removing Forms.—Good judgment is required as to the proper time to remove the forms. They must remain until the concrete has set hard enough to be fully self-sustaining, but before it has set so hard that the wire brush will have no effect on the surface.
83. Corner Protection.—See that the metallic corner or nose piece is correctly placed and that it is solidly anchored by and fully embedded in the body of the concrete.
84. Patching.—The practice of patching up cavities or irregularities in the exposed face of the curb and gutter with neat mortar, or dressing the surface with dry cement, must not be permitted. If a section of the curb is found, when the forms are removed, to be imperfect, the whole section must be removed and replaced.
HYDRAULIC CEMENT SIDEWALKS
85. General.—While the work of constructing concrete sidewalk is comparatively simple it is often carelessly and unskillfully done. The things that need most attention by the inspector are the following:
86. Materials.—The materials used in the work must be fully up to the quality called for by the specifications. This applies more particularly to the cement and sand. These are not always properly tested by the engineer and you should frequently make samples of stiff mortar (1 cement, 2 sand) and set them aside for observation. If they do not, in summer weather, become very hard at the end of nine hours, the fact should be reported to the engineer.
87. Drainage.—See that the necessary grading is properly done and that the drainage course is made of suitable material properly compacted. See that drain tiles are properly laid and connected as designed by the engineer. If cinders are used for the drainage course, see that they are screened to remove ashes and fine material, and that they are thoroughly drenched with water at least five days before they are placed in the walk.
88. Two-course Work.—If the sidewalk is laid in two courses, see that the surface-course is put on and tamped before the bottom-course concrete has begun to set. This requirement must be strictly enforced.