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| Concrete Form Nails |
Working with concrete is mostly for the professional, that's due to the fact that concrete sets up fairly fast, and must be worked in the time allotted. However anyone can learn it, and pour a small pad with a helper or 2. Pouring a small pad for a piece of air conditioning equipment, perhaps a small 10 x 10 Patio, or a side walk, are all homeowner type jobs. Here are some tips for framing up your small concrete job. You will need to have following materials:
Wood Stakes,
Steel Stakes, 2 lbs hammer to drive
2 x 4's of the proper lengths for the job,
Reinforcing Mesh or rebar
Shovel & Rake
Tape Measure
Concrete Form Nails
Wheel Barrow
Building the Framing
All concrete requires some type of form. Some are built above the ground but most of the ones a home owner would use are below ground level. The concrete comes up to ground level. To start, I lay out my basic design on the ground using spray paint. I lay out the framing perimeter about 4 inches wider than the frame will be to allow for the stakes. Then dig down to the desired level. Normal pads are 4 inches or more in depth. You should put in a 2" layer of gravel for drainage. So shoot for between 6 and 7 inches depth. Too deep and you cost yourself more in concrete. Too shallow and your pad will not stand up. Set up the 2 x 4's along the desired path of the pad. Drive a few wooden stakes to hold the 2 x 4 and you can nail it in place or clamp it to them. We prefer to clamp them so we can adjust them. At this time make all your adjustments as pertains to the width, height, and shape of your framing. You may have to take out more dirt or add it back in. If you add it back in make sure to tamp it back down solid. Make sure to establish any grade or slope desired. If it is patio, it should be graded to drain away from the house. The standard formula is a drop of 1/4 inch per foot from the house to the outside edge. So for an 8 ft long slab, it would need to drop 2 inches from the house to the outer edge. After all adjustments have been made then drive the steel Stakes in and nail them to the 2 x 4 framing. For framing curves use long piece of Hardboard siding, cut down to a width of six inches. It is strong and flexible.
Installing the Reinforcing
Cut the wire netting and lay in the form. Overlap any edges by at least 6 inches.
You are now ready to pour crete.
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