Trench foundation pour tomorrow - tamping help

[onionsa]

Hi all, I've finally got my trenches dug and concrete is ordered for delivery tomorrow. There will be 2 or 3 of us barrowing it from the truck to the trench. My question is about tamping - is it worth buying a tamping tool, or can I just use the front side of the rack, assuming that I'll be racking the concrete?

Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[^woody^]

You don't tamp foundations

 

[onionsa]

You don't tamp foundations

Good job I asked! Thanks for confirming.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Make sure you have a good nights sleep and Porridge for breakfast.

Andy

 

[noseall]

You don't tamp foundations

We do, but not like you would with a floor. More to slump it level with the trench pegs. Nowt more annoying than humps and hollows when it's raining and the concrete surface is puddling and the 7n blocks are wet.

We have a crucifix type affair but without the bit for Jesus's head. Just a flat top that we invert and use to manipulate the conc'. I then go around with a straight edge and lightly tamp the surface to knock down any humps.

 

[onionsa]

So should I get something like this in the morning before it’s delivered?
https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p3...MIxLTDp_Pq3QIVQrTtCh2B_AM0EAQYBCABEgJN3fD_BwE

 

[noseall]

So should I get something like this in the morning before it’s delivered?

NO!

That's for localised compacting of the ground or earth! All you need is a shovel, some short planks to cross the trenches in a few places and a 2m straight edge (a length of 4" x 1").

 

[onionsa]

So should I get something like this in the morning before it’s delivered?

NO!

That's for localised compacting of the ground or earth! All you need is a shovel, some short planks to cross the trenches in a few places and a 2m straight edge (a length of 4" x 1").

Ok thanks for confirming. I’ll nip and get a length tomorrow morning before it gets here.

 

[onionsa]

Thanks for the help all, we got the concrete in on Friday afternoon, in the dry. Not too much mess but did have a couple issue with trench crossings. All in and level though so I'm happy that this is finally moving forward.

 

[foxhole]

Used vibrating poker in all my foundations.

 

[noseall]

Used vibrating poker in all my foundations.

Why?

 

[pilsbury]

Cos his misses lets him borrow it.

 

[foxhole]

Why?

Too remove air bubbles .

 

[noseall]

Too remove air bubbles .

Did you envisage them being a problem?

 

[foxhole]

Air bubbles weakens the mix and vibration ensure free movement to avoid any voids.