Questions about outdoor concrete pad for compressor

[pitterpat]

I'm going to pour a pad outdoors to build a lean too for my compressor, have some questions. 60 gallon Campbell-Hausfield compressor.

The pallet the compressor is on (inherited it from my dad) is 32" by 27" or 28".

1. Is a pad 40" x 40" a good size? I'm thinking it will be 36.5" by 36.5" after the shed is framed.
2. How thick should the pad be?
3. Location pic show where I want it, NE back side of VW garage, OK? More level than the NW back side of VW garage.
4. Should I pour the pad right up against the foundation of the garage?

Here are some pictures of the area. The 1st 2 pics is of the side I want to put the pad on. At about 8" is where the old paint stopped and the exposed foundation begins. There were a ton of tree roots in that area that I took out last night. The last 2 pics are of the other side where I could put the pad but it is a little steeper. Also, on this property I have not dug anywhere where there weren't any tree root, tree roots everywhere.

The area between the garage and the tree in the 1st pic is at least 7' wide, I wanted to make sure I have room to get my riding mower through there since I park it back there sometimes.

 

[Cyberbear]

Since the pad is not too large, I'd go 3" thick on the slab. That should be enough for any tank anchor bolts you may use, along with some vibration pads of course.
Good luck.

 

[pitterpat]

Since the pad is not too large, I'd go 3" thick on the slab. That should be enough for any tank anchor bolts you may use, along with some vibration pads of course.
Good luck.

Thanks!

I was reading on the internet and it said to dig down 10" and then install 6" of crushed gravel and then pour the concrete. Do I need 6 " of crushed concrete?

 

[stage20]

Thanks!

I was reading on the internet and it said to dig down 10" and then install 6" of crushed gravel and then pour the concrete. Do I need 6 " of crushed concrete?

youre not building a driveway. i would form it out of std 1x4 and just pour it 4" thick and be done with it. its only holding a compressor.

 

[Falcon67]

youre not building a driveway. i would form it out of std 1x4 and just pour it 4" thick and be done with it. its only holding a compressor.

This. Don't over think it. If water runs by there, a bit of a gravel base can't hurt. Other than that, just frame with 2x4s. lay in a few pieces of rebar and fill with Quikrete.

 

[buddyboy]

+1 on what others have said, only thing I suggest is to is not pour it right up to existing foundation.

 

[Trey T]

That's one of my future project to build a shed for lawn equipment and compressor. I thought about pouring a 3'x5' concrete pad but I don't like the idea of being permanent; instead, I'm just gonna put in one some 4x4 skids.

I agree with the guy above w/ not pouring concrete against the existing concrete pad, space it out by 1" and seal it.

 

[EOC_Jason]

You might want to go a bit bigger for decent ventilation and also to have some room to service the compressor?

 

[Gerald O]

I'd make it 3 1/2 inches thick, just because that's probably the width of the lumber you'll use for the form. If you don't have a hammer-drill to drill for the concrete anchor bolts then you should probably also think about embedding the anchors in the concrete during the pour.

 

[C96]

You might want to go a bit bigger for decent ventilation and also to have some room to service the compressor?

^^^^This for sure^^^^

Your pad is too small. I definitely agree with the above, more room is necessary for servicing the compressor and decent ventilation.

 

[gumbellion]

i am also doing a small pad to build a new "well house" to keep critters out of the well. I am planning on doing inches of concrete just so that i have the ability to put anchor bolts into the pad for the walls. I pre built the walls so it might be more difficult for me to put the bolts into the pour
i need about 8 cubic feet of concrete and called a local supplier. They said if i call on the day i am going to do the concrete and come with a means of transporting it when they are done the pour they are working on i can have the excess. ill give the operator a few bucks or a case of beer but it will save a lot of work and time in mixing my own. just a suggestion for doing a small job that will see some abuse

 

[Jim B]

Sink bolts in the concrete around the perimeter of the slab and install mud sill out of PT 2x4. Build your shed on this mud sill with whatever siding you use over lapping the outside edge of the slab but not in contact with the dirt.This will keep water from entering the shed around the bottom and rusting things inside. I did this for some pool equipment and matched the house siding, paint scheme and shingles. I agree with others that suggest making it bigger so you can get at the compressor for maintenance. A sloped roof that is hinged on the back edge also allows better access to the equipment insides.

 

[Gerald O]

...
i need about 8 cubic feet of concrete and called a local supplier. They said if i call on the day i am going to do the concrete and come with a means of transporting it when they are done the pour they are working on i can have the excess. ill give the operator a few bucks or a case of beer but it will save a lot of work and time in mixing my own. just a suggestion for doing a small job that will see some abuse

Good luck with that. It'll probably start to set before you can get it placed.

 

[uncletater]

i am also doing a small pad to build a new "well house" to keep critters out of the well. I am planning on doing inches of concrete just so that i have the ability to put anchor bolts into the pad for the walls. I pre built the walls so it might be more difficult for me to put the bolts into the pour
i need about 8 cubic feet of concrete and called a local supplier. They said if i call on the day i am going to do the concrete and come with a means of transporting it when they are done the pour they are working on i can have the excess. ill give the operator a few bucks or a case of beer but it will save a lot of work and time in mixing my own. just a suggestion for doing a small job that will see some abuse

How do you plan on moving redi mix concrete to your location? Also do you have any idea what 8 cubic feet of concrete weighs?

 

[stage20]

ive got a friend who runs a compressor shop. he said one foot minimum from flywheel on my kellogg american compressor, im sure others will be similar. mine was in a tight spot, but if you have room at least be able to walk around it, IMO

 

[gumbellion]

I figure i will be around 1000lbs. The plan is to wet 5 gallon pails, fill about 1/2 way then a quick spray of water on the top, and throw a tarp over them for the drive home. From the time they get in the truck to when they are dumped out it should take about 15 minutes

you think im out to lunch on this?

 

[uncletater]

I figure i will be around 1000lbs. The plan is to wet 5 gallon pails, fill about 1/2 way then a quick spray of water on the top, and throw a tarp over them for the drive home. From the time they get in the truck to when they are dumped out it should take about 15 minutes

you think im out to lunch on this?

Short answer. Yes!

 

[Falcon67]

Figure 1200 lbs and 20 pails, good luck with that. You'll have 20 pails of concrete, figure 1 pail in the trash every week so 20 weeks to get rid of it.

Buy 15 bags of 80 lb Quikreet and be done with it.

http://www.quikrete.com/Calculator/Main.asp?gclid=CKH8p-Gt_L8CFehj7AodwFcAFQ

 

[Davefr]

Figure 1200 lbs and 20 pails, good luck with that. You'll have 20 pails of concrete, figure 1 pail in the trash every week so 20 weeks to get rid of it.

Buy 15 bags of 80 lb Quikreet and be done with it.

http://www.quikrete.com/Calculator/Main.asp?gclid=CKH8p-Gt_L8CFehj7AodwFcAFQ

I wouldn't trust Quickreet. It's long on aggregate and short on Portland cement which makes it very weak. If you go that route I'd spike the Quickrete with real cement to up the strength.

You'd be better off hiring one of the small batch redi mix outfits.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Wouldn't hurt to call a company that uses volumetric mixers, those mix on-sight and you only pay for what you need / use (in like 1/4 yard increments)... See what their price is compared to buying quickreet and mixing it yourself.

 

[pitterpat]

Wouldn't hurt to call a company that uses volumetric mixers, those mix on-sight and you only pay for what you need / use (in like 1/4 yard increments)... See what their price is compared to buying quickreet and mixing it yourself.

Sounds like a good idea.

 

[pitterpat]

I agree with the build bigger. I'll measure it out after I cut the grass tonight an post pics.

 

[volleyball]

You could always lay down some gravel and tamp. Put CMU's on top with mortar to join. Put a pallet on top with the tank lagged to it. Having the compressor up off the ground will be nice. I'd do big enough to put a standard pallet inside. Some air room plus.

 

[600SL]

You could always lay down some gravel and tamp. Put CMU's on top with mortar to join. Put a pallet on top with the tank lagged to it. Having the compressor up off the ground will be nice. I'd do big enough to put a standard pallet inside. Some air room plus.

Mine is 48" by 36". Just big enough to put in a 7.5 HP vertical compressor or 2 of the Lows 3.7 HP units like the one I have. Still need to put in ventilation. I got a 2' by 2' lover for the bottom right and the top vents out the front above the door.

 

[stage20]

one of two things will happen with concrete in buckets.
the first, it produces heat. lots of it. thats why those trucks have the drum that turns to help keep it from setting. the concrete will set in the bucket before you can do anything with it. even if its usable, youll have to wet it, which will reduce its strength. not really an issue in your case for a compressor slab.

the second. you say screw garage journal advice and do it anyway. somehow it stays wet and you post to prove us all wrong.

LOL

 

[pitterpat]

Mine is 48" by 36". Just big enough to put in a 7.5 HP vertical compressor or 2 of the Lows 3.7 HP units like the one I have. Still need to put in ventilation. I got a 2' by 2' lover for the bottom right and the top vents out the front above the door.

Compressor shed looks good. do you have anymore pics of it?

 

[pitterpat]

Here's what the area looks like if I make it 48 x 48. Just enough room to get my riding mower through. Furtherest away vertical line is 48 from the near side.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'd look at the prefab fiber cement pads they use for air conditioner condensing units - they're pretty inexpensive and you should be able to get one at any heating and air conditioning supply. You just level out the ground and put the pad down, and you're done.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I'd look at the prefab fiber cement pads they use for air conditioner condensing units - they're pretty inexpensive and you should be able to get one at any heating and air conditioning supply. You just level out the ground and put the pad down, and you're done.

Ehhh... Those things aren't really designed for much weight. I've seen them come apart quite easily.

 

[pitterpat]

I'd look at the prefab fiber cement pads they use for air conditioner condensing units - they're pretty inexpensive and you should be able to get one at any heating and air conditioning supply. You just level out the ground and put the pad down, and you're done.

Ehhh... Those things aren't really designed for much weight. I've seen them come apart quite easily.

And they're not even concrete!

 

[stage20]

And they're not even concrete!

The old ones were before they crumble and leave behind rows of pvc pipe lol. Mystery inside

 

[over40pirate]

youre not building a driveway. i would form it out of std 1x4 and just pour it 4" thick and be done with it. its only holding a compressor.

I agree. Thats what I did for an AC pad a few months ago. Got rid of a bunch of scrap metal at the same time!
Rebar? I need no stinkin rebar!
You might want to plan on where the compressor will bolt down, and keep any rebar/metal out of the area.