Reinforcing a Concrete Steel Mesh

Set the slab runners over the pour area to support the wire mesh. Made from wire supports in varying heights, the slab runners support the wire mesh in elevated positions. Butt the ends of adjacent 4-foot-long runners so they form a continual line. Space multiple slab rows 3 to 4 feet apart. However, skip this step if you are doing the slab on the ground.

Lay the first sheet of steel mesh wire in a corner of the slab runners, directly on top. Alternatively, simply lay the mesh on the ground if you are working on a slab on the ground. Align the metal within the slab’s edge to keep the mesh from sticking out when concrete is poured over it and prevent rust bleed.

Lay the second mesh sheet over the edge of the previous sheet. Align the edge of this sheet so it overlaps the edge of the sheet below by 1/2 squares. Ensure the overlapping edge is even and straight.

Tie the upper and lower corners of the overlapping edges of the sheets together with tie wire. Cut lengths of wire large enough to go around the corresponding corners of the sheet, and twist each several times with pliers. Also make one tie in the middle of the overlapping sheets, or more if the size of the sheets require it. Ideally, you want to tie both the sheets together so they remain stable when you pour concrete.

Continue this process of laying steel mesh sheets and tying overlapping edges until you cover the entire slab. If installing more rows of sheets, you have to tie them at their sides and top to the existing and remaining sheets that you will add.

Raise the height of the installed mesh sheets to their correct height within the slab. Set 2-by-2-concrete pads or blocks under the wire every 4 feet to support the panel in the slab. However, skip this step of raising the mesh sheets if you placed slab runners. You can pour the concrete into the slab after reinforcing the mesh.