Need to lay concrete slab, 10 x 10, need directions or any help you can give.?

Question

I need to lay a 10 x 10 slab in my backyard to extend a patio and to build an overhang onto. I need detailed (as you can) instructions on how to do this, such as how thick, what type of concrete to use, how to set up a frame, etc., and any other tips you can give to help me do this on my own, since most companies want $550 + to do it for me and that sounds ridiculous. I have a little construction know-how and a willingness to do it on my own, just need to know the specifics to get it done. Email me if you need more details. Most descriptive and helpful gets the 10 points. Thanks!

Answer 1

lay out the area you want poured with spray paint, it should be wider than the actual size of the slab by 1 ft. dig down 10 in. put in 4 in. of crushed limestone. form your slab with 2x6's. order a 4000 lb. mix when you call the concrete place. 1 yd. of concrete will do 60 sq. ft. at 6 in. deep. so order 2 yds. tell them its for an outside slab and to add air. get the straightest 2x4 12 ft. long that you can find. call your buddies and pour it. screed it off with the 2x4. some concrete companies will send a bull float out with the driver, bull float it, edge it and broom it. its a little more complicated than that but hey, youre saving money right? personally 550.00 dont sound bad . around here you can figure 6 or 7 dollars a sq. ft. so if you want a nice looking job hire it out...we gotta eat too...lol

Answer 2

Best thing is go to your Library and pick up a book on it. Lowell's or Home depot also have books no this. I;m Petty sure it's should be at least 6in thick, and you'll need to level the ground out with some sand.Use some 1x4x 10ft long, and box in the area, measure from corner to corner X fashion so that it is square. Remember to give it a little slop to the outside for water to drain off. Suspend some wire fencing about three inches above the ground on pieces of re-bar stuck in the ground, and pour your cement. smooth off with a 12ft 2x4 sawing back and forth over the entire area. Use the edge of the 2x4 to do this. Cover with plastic and wet it down so it will cure slowly. The whole trick is to keep the concrete moist for quite awhile, so it will cure slowly. It helps to keep the concret from cracking. Oh also wet down the sand before you start pouring, or it will draw out the moisture from the concrete to fast, and it will start cracking latter on down the road. Also you'll need to dig a pit about four inches deep, where your going to put this and then fill it with sand. Go buy a book because there is a little more to this. Good luck.

Answer 3

Did one this yr, 12x15 and helped the contractor. He leveled out the area somewhat and put down 3" to 4 " of 3/4 crushed stone then staked out the area to be cemented with 2x4's. Had my cement delivered, used 4 yds at $80 a yrd. He used the best concrete they made, asked the driver. My price was $650 and I live in the north east. You can get professional help with pictures and all, just type into your browser "how to make concrete patio or slab" computers are great, all the info you need just ask it. Too much detail for me to explain good luck

Answer 4

Go to the hardware store or the soup, concrete company and get a concrete calculator, its a wheel with numbers.
Or here,
http://www.westrocinc.com/Tips/Figure_Concrete/figure_concrete.html
That gives you basic data.
Make sure you do a footer. A footer is at the outer edges more is poured to support walls and whatever weight.
Rent most of the tools, you only need them once, after that , its set and let dry.
Vibrator to get a good settle especially handy around Rebar and other Structural Wiring or Supports.
Floater, big fan that floats over the top and settles it smooth.
Trowels, some are the 6' or 8' ones with long handles.
10'x10' oh heck, I thought by 10s, forget the vibrator, it is uneeded.
Get a crete wheel calculator, long trowel, old broom, pour and finish it off while it is workable.