Hi all,
First time I’ve done a floor slab, so read lots of other posts, but would like some validation of my plans for the day please. Here’s the site as it is now, BC signed off this today
There are two spaces to be filled:
1. Kitchen [at rear] – 4.1 x 5.1m with 6mm rebar. Concrete will be 100mm deep, with a 65mm screed on top (at a later date). 2.1m3 concrete needed.
2. Garage [at front]– 6.2 x 5.1m with 7mm rebar. Concrete will be 150mm deep. This will be the finished floor level. 4.74m3 concrete needed.
The cement company have recommended C30. Although initially they tried to rent me a pump for £350, when I said I’d prefer to shop around for a company that would barrow it in, they’ve agreed going to barrow the concrete in (with a labourer supplied, although I guess I will assist too). They will mix on site.
The driveway is pretty wide (and old/knackered) so they can park the truck right up to the entrance to the new garage, so I imagine they will pour some of the concrete straight in without the barrowing.
I have 2 or possibly 3 people to help me on the day, although not skilled people – just extra pairs of hands.
I’m going to hire 3m and 5m Hand Concrete Tampers with handles and a Concrete Easy Float with brush attachment.
Kitchen will be filled first, with two people tamping down (using 3m tamp over the 4m width). I will rake out to roughly level concrete / assisting with the barrow.
Garage fill second, following the same process but using the 3m tamp to start, then 5m one (over the 6m width) once the concrete truck is gone).
Then use the bull float on each to get it smoother.
I will then use the brush attachment on the kitchen surface to give a key for the screed. Unsure if I should use on the garage floor or just leave it with the bull float finish.
I have bought a concrete rake and I have a Flooring Trowel and a hand Mag Float too as there’s a couple of pipes to tidy up around.
I also have 2 tarps of 5.4 x 7m which I will cover it over with afterwards to help the curing process.
Would welcome any advice, but especially about the following points:
1. When to start using the bull float? – seems to be once the surface water has gone from what I’ve read.
2. My local hire shop has these Petrol 1 Man Screedemon which is £100 for the day – is that worth hiring rather than the hand tamps?
3. Any tips about getting the height right – I cant fix battens, etc due to the DPM – can I just invert some of the spacers (50mm kitchen and 75mm garage) on top of the rebar, or am I missing a trick on some other way to do it?
4. Should I use the brush on the garage floor, or just leave it smoothed with the bull float?
5. Any info about the wetness/slump of the mix to ask for in order allow me a decent amount of time to work it?
Any other tips you guys have too?
Thanks!
Andy
First time I’ve done a floor slab, so read lots of other posts, but would like some validation of my plans for the day please. Here’s the site as it is now, BC signed off this today
There are two spaces to be filled:
1. Kitchen [at rear] – 4.1 x 5.1m with 6mm rebar. Concrete will be 100mm deep, with a 65mm screed on top (at a later date). 2.1m3 concrete needed.
2. Garage [at front]– 6.2 x 5.1m with 7mm rebar. Concrete will be 150mm deep. This will be the finished floor level. 4.74m3 concrete needed.
The cement company have recommended C30. Although initially they tried to rent me a pump for £350, when I said I’d prefer to shop around for a company that would barrow it in, they’ve agreed going to barrow the concrete in (with a labourer supplied, although I guess I will assist too). They will mix on site.
The driveway is pretty wide (and old/knackered) so they can park the truck right up to the entrance to the new garage, so I imagine they will pour some of the concrete straight in without the barrowing.
I have 2 or possibly 3 people to help me on the day, although not skilled people – just extra pairs of hands.
I’m going to hire 3m and 5m Hand Concrete Tampers with handles and a Concrete Easy Float with brush attachment.
Kitchen will be filled first, with two people tamping down (using 3m tamp over the 4m width). I will rake out to roughly level concrete / assisting with the barrow.
Garage fill second, following the same process but using the 3m tamp to start, then 5m one (over the 6m width) once the concrete truck is gone).
Then use the bull float on each to get it smoother.
I will then use the brush attachment on the kitchen surface to give a key for the screed. Unsure if I should use on the garage floor or just leave it with the bull float finish.
I have bought a concrete rake and I have a Flooring Trowel and a hand Mag Float too as there’s a couple of pipes to tidy up around.
I also have 2 tarps of 5.4 x 7m which I will cover it over with afterwards to help the curing process.
Would welcome any advice, but especially about the following points:
1. When to start using the bull float? – seems to be once the surface water has gone from what I’ve read.
2. My local hire shop has these Petrol 1 Man Screedemon which is £100 for the day – is that worth hiring rather than the hand tamps?
3. Any tips about getting the height right – I cant fix battens, etc due to the DPM – can I just invert some of the spacers (50mm kitchen and 75mm garage) on top of the rebar, or am I missing a trick on some other way to do it?
4. Should I use the brush on the garage floor, or just leave it smoothed with the bull float?
5. Any info about the wetness/slump of the mix to ask for in order allow me a decent amount of time to work it?
Any other tips you guys have too?
Thanks!
Andy
