Pouring my own concrete

[toomany]

I'm sort of new around here, been lurking for awhile though.

This summer I plan to do some yard work, some of which will include moving one of our dog kennels. It's currently on the patio near the pool...not good. Being we have huskies that like to dig, it's going to need to be on a hard surface. I'm very good with most diy projects and am generaly quick at picking up new skills. I understand the basics of pouring a slab. Being as cheap as I am and for the intended purpose...this is something I'd like to try to do myself. The kennel is 12'x12' so the pad would need to be atleast that big if not slightly bigger. Is this something I could possibly do myself? Anyone have some tips or advice before I dive into this.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

How do you feel after you run as fast as you can for like 6 miles? If the answer is " like I'm gonna drop dead" Hire some one.

 

[Toolfool]

If you're going to use pre-mix bags, good luck. If you're going to have concrete delivered, you have a chance. Do it before the weather gets warmer.

 

[Falcon67]

12x12 should be some work, but not impossible. Try to find a house build that is about to get poured and go watch. Ask the concrete company, they will probably share a date and location. After that, make your call. With a good size float, 12 x 12 will still need at least two to screed with any hope of staying level. If you decide to try it, make dang sure you have everything ready for the delivery - forms all set, tools, screed board, a plan, etc. Concrete waits for no one, period.

I thought about trying to round up folks for a concrete party. Then I watched 92 yards poured for the house next door. I called and got bids the next day.

 

[930dreamer]

If you have a redi-mix place at your local rental center call and check the size of their concrete trailer. They can help with the math also, might have to do it in two pours. I've done a basketball court and a kennel, not easy work but very satisfying when it's all finished. Great time to cook out when it's all said and done.

 

[wef]

It is very doable with someone to help with the screeding. 930dreamer's advice about the concrete trailer is the best way to go. You won't need enough concrete for a minimum load so if you did get a redimix truck, the price per yard would be through the roof.

 

[supernova]

I poured my first slab last year, a 9' x 9' slab for my hot tub. I called in a truck, I think it was 2.5 yards total (i put some piers in it to the frost line) and it went pretty well, just me, my wife & a friend wheel narrowing it from the curb to the backyard. Definitely have everything lined up & ready to go. I got a cool delivery guy that helped out quite a bit, made it a little wetter so I could work it a little longer. But definitely gratifying to have done it yourself & learned another trick along the way. I say go for it & good luck!!

Sent from my Inspire 4G using tapatalk

 

[pauls340]

A cu yd of concrete does 81 sq ft 4" thick...you have less than 2 yds. I think we paid $150 a yd + $75 delivery (only 5 miles away) last time we got a short load.

 

[toomany]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I do know someone in the business, guess I'll give them a call. So it's looking like my best bet will be to get the area prepared then have the mix delivered. I'll update the thread as I go. I still have to move some of the wood pile before I can get much further.

 

[930dreamer]

Check for redi-mix concrete trailers, where you pick up the concrete trailer.

 

[1jjpop]

Remenber on sidewalks 20' x 4' x 4'' deep takes 1 cubic yard

 

[1jjpop]

If you are going to get help , get people that know something , that has been around pouring concrete . I have been asked before to help pour , I showed up and the rest of the help says what do I do. and I end up working my self to death to save the pour .The number of help doesn't count much if they don't know anything.

 

[Cabby89]

This is totally doable with some help, a mixer and time. I recently poured a 10'x12'x 5" and 12'x13'x4" rooms in a basement flat. Both were done using a HF 2.5cuft mixer which would mix 2 60lb premix bags at a time. I was also able to rent the Home Depot truck for free because I was buying an entire pallet of mix. Which means all I had to do was unload it into my house. Screeding was not difficult but because of the size helps to have 2 people doing it.

Though I will say that if you can get a ready mix company to deliver the 1-2yd at a decent rate that is much easier to do. They normally want to deliver a minimum of 3yd so the price may be a bit high.

 

[gonefirefighting]

by the time you rent a trailer, rent the tools, Burn the fuel, buy the mix, bust your ***, and get it set you would be better off finding another project to add on (sidewalk, patio, etc.) and just order a truck and save your back.