what is the proper method of setting up cement forms?

Question

I would like to pour an 8 ft. x 8 ft. cement pad, about 4 in. thick. the ground has been leveled, and is very hard clay/dirt. the pad is for a hot tub

Answer 1

Use 2x6x8 spf nail the ends together.Stake the side in.Use the 3 4 5 meathod.measure 3feet from one corner mark it.Then mark 4 ft from the same corner the other way and mark it then measure from the marks to each other it should measure 5 ft this is how to be sure your frame is square.as your pouring your cement drop some rebar in the wet cement this will keep it stiff also this will save busting your butt trying to dig the ground up.

Answer 2

Yikes... you need to lower it another 4 inches and put down stone. If you have a lot of clay in your soil... it may be an expansive clay and cause the concrete to crack from freeze/thaw. If it's a good size tub... you MAY want to go to a 5 inch pad to be safe.

BTW... use 2X6's for your forms, nail the ends together, pound in stakes outboard to hold the form in place (one each end and one in the middle). Set in the ground so the form is the top of your concrete so you can use a 2X4 to level off and smooth the concrete to the top of the 2X6's.

Answer 3

lay out 2x4 in an 8' square.pound stakes on the out side (3/side should do it)making sure the stakes are below the top of the 2x4s nail the stakes to the 2x4 leaving enough nail protruding to allow for easy removal .pour concrete.

Answer 4

Use 2X8'. Nail them together, making sure your form is completely square, not only end to end, but diagonally.