Concrete slab.
#1
04-18-15, 04:58 AM
Concrete slab.
I have a single car detatched garage on my property. At some point, I would like to replace the concrete slab. I don't have an exact size at this moment, but it is around 12' x 15'. I was thinking about mixing my own concrete using a mixer and pouring it myself. I figured it would have to be done in at least two pours. Is mixing the concrete myself going to be too slow for such a project?
#2
04-18-15, 05:02 AM
Years ago when I was young, I poured a shed/shop slab a tad bigger than that mixing it all in a wheelbarrow - not something I'd want to do again. Placing/finishing concrete is hard work, add mixing and ...... 
#3
04-18-15, 07:46 AM
Member
Your time expectations aren't realistic. My rough calculations show you'll need to mix, place and finish around 105 sacks of materials (if going 4" thick). Doing 5 batches per hour, 2 sacks each, works out to close to 10 hours of work.
Do yourself a favor, and order 3 yards of ready-mix concrete. Without some grunts to help, 2 hours total placement and finishing time will still be a challenge. But material costs will be about the same, much less time required to do the job, and writing a check is so much easier than killing yourself.
Do yourself a favor, and order 3 yards of ready-mix concrete. Without some grunts to help, 2 hours total placement and finishing time will still be a challenge. But material costs will be about the same, much less time required to do the job, and writing a check is so much easier than killing yourself.
#4
04-18-15, 11:15 AM
Time is easier for me to come by than money. I know that paying someone else to do it is far easier, but only if the check clears. 
I figured laying half the slab at a time would break up the work pretty good for me.
I wouldn't be able to get a truck to the garage either. I have a 10' wide gate about 50' from the door of the garage.
I figured laying half the slab at a time would break up the work pretty good for me. I wouldn't be able to get a truck to the garage either. I have a 10' wide gate about 50' from the door of the garage.
#5
04-18-15, 02:08 PM
A concrete truck will fit thru a 10' gate 
when you can't afford a pumper a couple of buddies and a few wheelbarrows does the trick.
My little shop in fla was 12x20 and I mixed and poured it by myself I can't remember if it wa 2 or 3 sections but I do remember it being a lot of work that was over 30 yrs ago.
when you can't afford a pumper a couple of buddies and a few wheelbarrows does the trick.My little shop in fla was 12x20 and I mixed and poured it by myself
I can't remember if it wa 2 or 3 sections but I do remember it being a lot of work that was over 30 yrs ago.
#6
04-18-15, 04:20 PM
Member
The contractor I worked for when I first got out of carpentry school had a 1 1/2" bag mixer. We used to pour EVERYTHING with that damn mixer. And I dont mean just small jobs, we did enitre 8' house foundations. There were usually 3 of us mixing and pouring, and it was non stop until the pour was done. I wouldnt wish that kind of work on anyone. He also had a 10 bag mixer we used sometimes, but it wasnt much better. It was easily the hardest work I have ever done. About 5 years later he begain to start using ready mix. But not before we had done 100 or more basements and floors...
Thanks for bringing up old memories...
Thanks for bringing up old memories...
