Contents
- 1 Can you pour concrete directly on dirt?
- 2 How do you prepare the ground for a concrete slab?
- 3 How long before you can frame on concrete?
- 4 How much does it cost to pour a 12×12 concrete slab?
- 5 Is gravel necessary under concrete?
- 6 Should I put plastic under concrete?
- 7 Do you need rebar for 4 inch slab?
- 8 How deep should I dig for a concrete slab?
- 9 What is a good base for a concrete slab?
- 10 Can I drive on concrete after 3 days?
- 11 How often should you water new concrete?
- 12 How long is slab stage?
- 13 Is it cheaper to pour concrete yourself?
- 14 How much would a 4 inch slab of concrete cost?
- 15 Is it cheaper to buy premixed concrete?
Can you pour concrete directly on dirt?
Long story short, yes you can pour concrete over dirt.
How do you prepare the ground for a concrete slab?
Preparation is the most important aspect of pouring a concrete slab.
- Dig the ground down to the proper depth.
- Smooth out the ground with the flat side of a rake so that you have a level surface.
- Tamp the ground with a hand tamper or mechanical tamper.
- Pour 2 inches of small, rounded gravel for additional drainage needs.
How long before you can frame on concrete?
You can start framing on a poured concrete slab about seven days after it’s poured. At this point, a concrete slab will have 70% of its fully cured strength. Poured concrete can take up to 28 days to fully cure.
How much does it cost to pour a 12×12 concrete slab?
How much does a 12×12 concrete slab cost? The average cost to pour a 12×12 concrete slab that is 4” thick is between $888 and $1,584, with professional labor and materials included.
Is gravel necessary under concrete?
Whether you pour concrete for a walkway or patio, a strong gravel base is required to prevent the concrete from cracking and shifting. Gravel is especially important in clay soil because it doesn’t drain well, which results in water pooling under the concrete slab and slowly eroding the soil as it finally drains.
Should I put plastic under concrete?
Recently, though, research has shown that the old traditional layer of 6-mil Visqueen (polyethylene plastic) under the slab is seldom effective for two main reasons: Although it may seem water-tight, this grade of material allows a lot of water vapor to pass through.
Do you need rebar for 4 inch slab?
No, you do not need rebar for a 4–inch slab of concrete on grade. A 4–inch-thick slab cast on the ground and in permanent contact with it will float and rebar is not required. Rebar is recommended on concrete measuring 5 – 6 inches thick.
How deep should I dig for a concrete slab?
Excavate the slab area to a depth of about 7 inches, allowing 3 inches for a gravel base and 4 inches for concrete.
What is a good base for a concrete slab?
Most concrete contractors want a mix of coarse and fine aggregate to create a compactable base that is going to be safe for settlement and drainage. Crusher run (a mix of crushed stone and stone dust) is one of the best base materials for concrete flatwork.
Can I drive on concrete after 3 days?
Concrete professionals suggest waiting at least seven days after the crew is finished before parking or driving your personal vehicle(s) on your new concrete. The reason for this is because one week is the time period it takes for your new concrete to achieve 90% of its full potential strength.
How often should you water new concrete?
DO spray new concrete with water.
One of the most common methods for curing concrete is to hose it down frequently with water—five to 10 times per day, or as often as you can—for the first seven days. Known as “moist curing,” this allows the moisture in the concrete to evaporate slowly.
How long is slab stage?
Slab Stage
Under slab drainage, moisture barrier and Termimesh put in place followed by completion of foundation slab. This stage takes approx. 2 weeks.
Is it cheaper to pour concrete yourself?
One of the least expensive ways to get concrete is to mix your own. You can buy bags of the mix from a home improvement store. Typically, you only have to add water for it to be ready to pour. Otherwise, you risk getting a weaker concrete once it cures, which could lead to cracks or crumbles within a couple of years.
How much would a 4 inch slab of concrete cost?
It costs about $6 per square foot to pour concrete, or between $4 and $8 per square foot.
Concrete Work Cost by Thickness.
| Thickness | Typical Cost With Labor |
|---|---|
| 4” | $5.35 per square foot |
| 5” | $5.80 per square foot |
| 6” | $6.20 per square foot |
| 8” | $7 per square foot |
Is it cheaper to buy premixed concrete?
It’s cheaper to do all the prep and buy the concrete premixed and delivered. For example, a 10×20′ slab of 4″ concrete would be a minimum of 2.5-3 yards. Here concrete is about $80/yard (closer to $70), or $240 for the concrete. That same slab would take 223 40-pound bags, or 112 80-pound bags.