How do you do concrete slabs? - Answers

Firstly measure and take the dimensions of the area where you want to pour in the concrete slab. Now, make a lumber frame. This frame will act like a border and will now allow the concrete to spread out from the area. Nail a piece of lumber from one corner to the other on top of the frame so as to ensure the frame remains square till pegged in place. Now see that the frame is level and fastened with pointed pegs at 3 feet intervals against the exterior of the form work. Next, make a 4 inch deep ditch around the border of the floor area with a width of 8 inch. Use a shovel to do so. This is mainly for giving the border strength and depth. Now saw the top of the pegs and make them even with the top of the frame. Sprinkle little water around the area and mix the concrete. Pour and fill the area with concrete to a height of approximately 3 inch below the top of the frame. Add steel rods as reinforcement to handle cracking and give support to the slab. Now you have to lay a rod of thick reinforcing steel around the boundary of poured cement, the rod should be atleast 2 inch in and about 2 inch down from the top of the frame. Also make a 16 inch overlap and try to secure it with wire in places where the steel rods join. Pour another batch of concrete mix into the frame to the height of the top of the frame and you need to eliminate all air pockets. Use a hammer to tap around the exterior of the frame and to level out the exterior, you can use a smooth and straight piece of lumber, moving it in a sawing motion along the tops of the frame till the concrete is smoothed throughout. Now you should smooth over the levelled concrete. You can use a trovel for it by sweeping it to and fro in broad arcs. You can allow it to dry. You can also re-trovel the area if you wish. If the frame is easy to detach, you can remove it after 24 hours. Hope this helps.