How to make a concrete slab?

Question

We want to add a concrete walkway next to our home. We have mixed cement before and installed a fence but we've never done a project like this. What's involved? Can a semi-handy person do it?

Answer 1

Yes, but it's easier if you can dragoon a few friends to help and/or get the concrete professionally mixed (there are small-batch trucks in many areas).

http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/...

Don't overwork the concrete.  Do provide enough control joints.

Edited to add: the longer it stays damp, the better the concrete will cure.  Cover with plastic or damp hay or paper, or start using a sprinkler when it's about 12 hours old.  Do NOT walk on or put anything heavy on the sidewalk for at least 24 hours, preferably 72-96+ hours (I try not to walk on it for a couple of weeks.)   Watch the temperature carefully... concrete poured either in heat or near freezing temperatures cures oddly and is less strong.  One of the advantages of using a professional concrete company to provide the mix is that they can provide additives allowing you to pour outside of the usual temperature ranges.

Answer 2

All the answers are correct and will help, just an added thought.  After the concrete is kicked off. about 2 hours old, keep the slap wet,  the sun will dry it out to quickly and it will crack.

Keep the water you use to mix to a minimum.  The more water the weaker the mix.

Answer 3

whats wrong with paving slabs ?...either way you will need to excavate to a foot below dpc ..then add 100mm of mot ..then lay slabs on that with building sand and cement ..use 5 dot method for best drainage ..finish slabs 2 coarse below dpc ..if you are american then I'm talking a different language!...but if you are ..you will still need to put in a hardcore base first (mot)..if you dont the concrete will split easily ..and every 8 feet allow an expansion strip ..or it will crack again!..if hot when laying cover in hessian after a few hours and wet down with a fine spray ..if you dig out and the path is ground level at finish then you wont need a retaining framework

Answer 4

Yes a semi handy person can do this project depending on the size of the slab. First you will have to make sure the ground is level where you are going to be pouring the slab. Second you will have to create a form for the slab. When making the form, I suggest using 2x4's and the you will have to pound the form into the ground, don't forget to make sure the form is square, you don't want a slab that is longer on one side. After you get the concrete ready, you will pour it into the form and start smoothing it out, again a 2x4 can be used by standing it on its side and dragging the concrete to make a smooth slab that fills the form. Make you sure follow the directions on the bag of concrete to see what the drying time is going to be. When it starts getting hard, most times people take a broom to the slab and run it softly across creating a stroked look that is also handy so the slab won't be slippery when it is wet. When the slab is 100% dry you can remove the form. I hope this is helpful for you!  

Answer 5

Depending on how big it is, it might be wise to rent a cement mixer, or even bring a truck in to dump it.

If you live somewhere where frost is a threat, you need to dig down at least 4 inches or the slabs will heave when freezing occurs.

Pack a couple inches of gravel down, line the area with 2by 4's and pour the concrete.  After a few hours take a broom across the surface to give traction to the surface.

Don't walk on it for 2 days