Cement Slab

[Bismarck Jack]

Here is a quick question:

This past summer i couldnt get anyone to pour a 10x12 slab for me. I talked about this in another thread. the job was too small.

Could I poor this myself with bag cement by pouring one 5x6 foot section at a time? If so, how? What is the best way?

1821

[Wgoodrich]

Trying to do this with cement mixers and sack crete would be a hard demanding challenge and keep it in a time frame that you don't have half cured concrete on one side with new to pour concrete on the other side.

Have you called the cement companies to see if they will deliver this concrete? Normally they will deliver one yard minimum. You could lay the cement but best advice it to have it trucked to you by a cement supplier.

Good Luck

Wg

[joed]

10' x 12' at 3" thick is just over 1 yard. Call around. Some place will bring it to you. Around here we have a place called Ucart or U-Cart. They have trailer that will hold up to one yard and you can go haul it yourself and return the trailer when done.
You could do it with a mixer. I would not attempt it with a wheel barrow and hand mixing.

[junkcollector]

The concrete companies around here will deliver any amount you want, the catch: they charge you a small load fee of for any amount under 4 yards.

[Fischer]

No Problem.

I've poured many a small slab without a problem, especially ones around the back sides of buildings. You're on the right track on one that size. Control joints would work well to break it up into a manageable size. If the first one goes well, go to the one kitty corner, and you'll leave yourself 4 sides to work from, although you'll only be able to do 2 a day easily. All 4 could be done with a little ballet. You have to remember that you'll have to remove the extra form boards and replace with control joints and use the set up slab as the other side for you screeding.

Cooler weather and cold water would help. Most of the cement mixers at the big box stores mix two 80 lb. bags, and for a 30 sq ft 4" thick slab, you're only looking at less than 20 bags total, for each 1/4 slab. The money you save on a truck will pay for the mixer.

Layout the full slab with the perimeter form boards and stake them. Then layout your rebar over the full slab. Split the slab into quarters or thirds and place your form boards at those points with notches cut into them to raise the rebar. Level and stake them in place. Cut your mesh to fit into your sections and on top of the rebar. Place spacers under the rebar to raise it to the middle of the slab, and you should be good to go.

One trick is to get an extra hand, you'll need it. Then place your cement mixer so that once you start pouring, you don't have to move it while pouring each section, or as little as possible. Your bags of cement should be right next to the mixer, just out of the way to turn and dump the mixer. Screed as you go. No wasted steps. Water and a hose should be next to your side. While waiting for the cement to mix, fill a 5 gallon bucket (or a couple of 5's would be better) with water to the appropriate amount of water for the next batch. Always have the water ready to pour in and the hose to add a little.

I've poured 100+ bag slabs with no problem. I'm not saying you won't bust your bunns, but easily accomplished. It's less than 5 minutes to mix 2 80lb bags if your system is efficient.