Concrete Tubes & Plastic Footing Forms?

[karoc]

Guys looking for little information for these two items since I have made decision to go with concrete piers for my DIY shop/house build. My plan is to have 24" holes dug for my piers so that can put the plastic footings in hole then tube on footing, which then fill with dirt around tube. I'm about 3hrs away from my place so I am hoping that I can get all pier forms in ground then do concrete pour maybe following week. Since concrete company is about hr away I haven't decided to mix by bags or order concrete truck which then I will be under the gun. Anyway I was wondering about what plastic footings and what tubes would be better and maybe last longer in ground before filling with concrete? Kinda limited here there is only HD,Lowes and McCoys that is local, so I don't know about ordering over the internet or not for better quality if any? Wish I could find these plastic footings that is round that would fit 24" hole better than square but that's OK I guess

 

[Mandres]

I used the round redibase footing forms, and they worked out well. They were somewhat hard to find, I ended up ordering from lowes I think. The round ones fit better in a skidsteer auger hole, which is the way to go if you're doing more than a few. Make sure you go deep enough to hit good bearing soil, and use rebar in the forms. It took ~4 80-lb bags to fill each form and tube at my depth, so you want to use a mixer for sure. A redimix truck would be best if the site allows.

You might want to look into helical piles as an alternative if you have a contractor nearby. If the soil in humble is as bad as here in anahuac they'll probably work better over the long term.

 

[65ranchero]

When I rebuilt my deck I redesigned the deck to a cantilever design.
I had to replace all the sonotubes columns for at least 2 reasons
1) they were under sized
2) they were not deep enough they frost heaved ( rose about 6 to 8 inches)
I didn't build that deck
I installed 3 of these square base ones I could get them locally and have them delivered
cost wise it was better and caused less headaches.
No hand mixing, no waiting on the premix truck dig one long ditch drop them in and sight them and move as needed for a straight line for the beam
http://www.diversifiedprecast.com/index.php?n=precast_concrete_piers

 

[rawen2]

Another option if it's available in your area is the trucks that mix the concrete right on site.

https://jobmixconcrete.com/short-load-concrete-process/site-mix-truck/

 

[Bondo]

My plan is to have 24" holes dug for my piers so that can put the plastic footings in hole then tube on footing, which then fill with dirt around tube. I'm about 3hrs away from my place so I am hoping that I can get all pier forms in ground then do concrete pour maybe following week

Ayuh,..... Use the waxed tubes, as the plain ole cardboard will get wet, 'n collapse in a week with nothin' in 'em,....

 

[Stuart in MN]

I looked at footing forms on the Home Depot website, and noticed a product I haven't seen before - they have precast pier footings that you just drop in the hole and then you're done. It may not be an option for you but I thought they were interesting. https://www.homedepot.com/p/EZ-Tube-5-Section-Stackable-Concrete-Pier-Footing-EZTUBE5/300649621

 

[LB-1911]

Wish I could find these plastic footings that is round that would fit 24" hole better than square but that's OK I guess

Here you go -
BF24 Concrete Volume: 2.5 Cubic Feet

Bigfoot Systems Footing Forms - concrete volume calculations BF24

The original plastic footing forms: concrete volume calculations for Model BF24 - accepts all 6" and 8" small, medium and large construction tubes - call 1-800-934-0393 toll-free from US & Canada - UPS shipping available

www.bigfootsystems.com

Buy locally - click on your state for your Bigfoot dealers & distributors contact details​

Buy Bigfoot Systems Footing Forms - USA's best footing tubes - security & value

Bigfoot Systems Footing Form's plastic, pre-engineered footing form distributors for the United States - listed alphabetically according to state. Or call toll free at 1-800-934-0393

www.bigfootsystems.com

 

[karoc]

Well looks like no one local sells Big Foot local so I sent them email see if they can be order direct and find out if shipping will be deal killer

 

[Bondo]

Well looks like no one local sells Big Foot local so I sent them email see if they can be order direct and find out if shipping will be deal killer

Ayuh,..... Search for someplace in yer area that does precast concrete products, like steps, septic tanks, etc,.....
'round here, the precast places sell things called "camp pads", which are round precast pieces in 18" or 24" diameter, in either 3" or 6" thick,....

 

[Walkers]

I have found it easiest to make my own concrete. Find yourself a One Sack mixer. This will mix a third of a yard at a time. Throw in one sack of Portland cement and then 35 shovels of AB mix for making concrete. Or you can put in one shovel or Portland, 2 shovels of sand and three of rock, if you want to mix smaller amounts.

 

[maxpat82]

I use the round redibase too. Standard sonotube with delta fondation membrane taped around it..they have last more then 1 month before the concrete pour. (I'm in quebec so frequent rain all summer long)

 

[Tman]

Well looks like no one local sells Big Foot local so I sent them email see if they can be order direct and find out if shipping will be deal killer

Lowes sells them even if your local store does not stock them. Just take the SKU in and order. You can pick them up at the store or have them delivered to your place. If you are a Vet sign up for the automatic 10% off

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bigfoot-Systems-Common-25-5-in-Actual-25-5-in-19-in-Concrete-Footing-Form/50213065

 

[Bretny]

Before you decide on mixing this all your self you should really do the math on how much money you will actually be saving (if any) by mixing your self.

Considering your making a house/shop I assume your going to have quite a few footings and that could mean pallets and pallets of concrete bags.

 

[karoc]

Guys I tried Lowe’s but website saying not available for Big Foot.So I reach out to company asking about 30 of B24 which come to 28.00ea but shipping is 225.00 so that’s deal killer

 

[65ranchero]

Considering your making a house/shop I assume your going to have quite a few footings and that could mean pallets and pallets of concrete bags.

I agree, pre order concrete when ready, you will thank the GJ family later.
Better consistency and smoother operation

 

[larry4406]

Sonnotubes - pour footing and pier in one shot? I think Bondo mentioned these. They are the cardboard tubes.

Only prep as many as you can pour due possible groundwater intrusion.

You are in Texas - inspections? Not saying cut any corners but makes things easier to dig and pour as you go vs trying to prep all for a single pour.

 

[65ranchero]

It takes .08 yard to fill on tube 12" diameter 4ft long , my math makes that to be around 2.5 yards
that's a whole lot of mixing

 

[karoc]

That is some good information, thats lot of mixing. There's no way this old 67 yr old can handle that, so a concrete truck is worth cost. If I do go this route I would get 30 holes drill then I hope over short amount time get another brand of footing and tube in ground. Hope it doesn't rain get tubes wet, till able to get concrete schedule. Wondering if I wrap the tubes with plastic and cover them up if they would stay dry enough and not fall apart?

 

[65ranchero]

Just a suggestion , have you contacted concrete construction companies near you they may have what you need.
It may cost a little more but it will be less than the $225 shipping
Have you Googled concrete contractor's suppliers?

 

[bigman68]

Home Depot:

 

[Mandres]

^Those are the ones I used, I can recommend

 

[Hank11]

You could ask for a local company's quote for doing this. It might be less than you'd think. I'd also ask for a conventional footing pricing. It might be the simplest way to get your project started.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Base it not required in all locations but it will hold the form tube upright.

I bought an off brand concrete tube from Menard's. It rained and the tube filled with water before I could poor the concrete. Within a couple of days it collapsed.

 

[karoc]

Base it not required in all locations but it will hold the form tube upright.

I bought an off brand concrete tube from Menard's. It rained and the tube filled with water before I could poor the concrete. Within a couple of days it collapsed.

That’s what I’m afraid will happen to me,I don’t like to gamble. One brand is wax coated so thinking wrapping the tubes with plastic then bury footing with tube. I’m afraid going to need one of this pump trucks. My ground is hard but slops down,don’t want concrete truck get stuck