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How to Pour a Concrete Slab

Posted on January 1st, 2009 by monsterguide
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Pouring a concrete slab is not as difficult as some people may think. The first thing that you need to do is to determine the size of the slab you wish to pour. This determines the amounts of materials that you will need as well as the tools required. If this is a home based project, your slab is probably going to be small, like a walkway or stepping-stone slab.

Required Materials

Required Tools

  • Saw ( if not using pre cut wood )
  • Hammer
  • Tape measure
  • Trowel (for smoothing the concrete
  • Level
  • Shovel
  • Wheelbarrow
  • Bucket

Instructions

  1. Use the shovel to create a space for the concrete slab, the space should be larger than the actual slab.
  2. Be certain that you level the ground so that your concrete slab will lie flat.
  3. Take the wood and cut it to size.
  4. Next, create a frame using the wood, nails and hammer. This frame should have an inside area the same size as the concrete slab you are trying to create. You may or may not need to create a brace diagonally between the corners of the frame. It depends on the size of your frame and slab.
  5. Set the frame into the ground and make sure that it is level
  6. Clear out any ground inside the framework. If necessary, level the ground within the frame
  7. Based on the directions on the concrete you have, gather the, the wheelbarrow and the bags of concrete mix.
  8. Usually, the directions will indicate adding the concrete to the wheelbarrow.
  9. Add the appropriate amount of water for the concrete you are mixing.
  10. Stir the concrete until it is completely mixed and has the right consistency
  11. If your concrete calls for mixing-in sand or gravel, follow the instructions
  12. Mix until it is the right consistency
  13. Shovel or pour the mixture into the frame.
  14. Level concrete within the frame. If it fills the frame, use the Trowel to create a smooth, level surface.
  15. If it does not fill the frame, repeat steps 9-13 until frame is full then level it again
  16. Once the concrete is level, allow it to dry. This usually takes around 24-48 hours.
  17. When dry , remove the frame from the concrete
  18. Replace the dirt around the concrete slab and smooth.
  19. Repeat process for each slab of concrete you are pouring

Tips and warnings

  • Remember to work quickly once you start mixing concrete. It starts to set up quickly.
  • It is a good idea to make sure the ground is reasonably dry when you go to pour concrete
  • Check the weather to make sure rain is not expected during your drying.
  • Be sure to flatten the ground well in order to prevent air pockets from forming underneath the concrete.
  • It is also a good idea to make sure that you pick a few days that will have similar temperatures. This will prevent issues with expansion and contraction of the concrete while it is setting up and prevent cracks and other unwanted irregularities.

Concrete Slab Pouring Image Gallery

Concrete Ground Slabs
Concrete Slab
Leveling Concrete Slab

Mixing Concrete
Mixing Concrete With Shovels
Pouring Concrete On The Concrete Slabs

Pouring Concrete Slab
Pouring Concrete On The Ground
Removing Frames On The Concrete Slab.


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    Comments

    1. Don Samson said,

      on August 8th, 2009 at 8:03 am

      Hi,

      My builder is going to create a slab flooring for the second floor of our house and he suggests to do this in two days. He says that he is going to do half first day and the other half the second day. I would like to know if this is advisable and if there is any problem with regards to the structural strength of the concrete slab. The concrete slab is around 100 square meters. Please let me know what youo think. Thanks.