So I'm pouring a concrete pad this summer. I have read a few DIY wikis and it doesn't seem tooooo complicated. I have a buddy at work that doesn't know it yet but he's helping me, he did concrete work for 11 years before this job so I bet he's pretty handy at it.
Basically, Something like a 12'x12'ish pad either 4 or 6" deep No stamping or anything to maintain continuity between existing driveway pad and new.
Has anyone else done this, what results or things would you share? Helpful tools?
Mix concrete myself or hire out the truck? It's approximately 1.4 meters cubed(Canada eh) for a 4" deep pad or just over 2 for 6" sounds like concrete is 200-250$ per meter cubed where I live.
How do you go about creating a reliable slope away from the house?
What material worked well for expansion join between the old pad/house and the new pad
Should I make the forms and hire out for the concrete and the finishing or DIY it all the way? Ive never done this stuff but my pal may know a lot more than me.
That's all I can really think of this morning I'll check back later after I wake up!
I've poured lots of concrete over the years so here are my answers:
The biggest mistakes I've seen people do is pour the concrete too wet which weakens it, (drier is better) and not tap the forms to remove air bubbles so when the forms come off, the concrete looks like swiss cheese on the edges. It requires a minimum amount of tools and is easily a DIY project. You need an handheld aluminum float and I recommend an edging tool to round over the outside edges to minimize chipping over time. Assuming it is a open slab, I would just rent a large float from the concrete company that delivers the mix for the pour. It is generally a nominal fee and much cheaper than buying.
I would suggest having it delivered instead of mixing it yourself for a novice. That way you don't end up with piles of sand, gravel, cement left over or even worse, not enough. It also takes a lot more effort and time to pour a pad when you are mixing it up as you go.
It doesn't take much slope to drain concrete away from a house. I'm not sure what the recommended amount it but I would do at least one inch every ten feet, possible every five depending on rain amounts and intensity in your area. A simple level is what I use but you can also use water in clear plastic tubing to create your own level.
For expansion joints, I generally use closed cell foam that you can buy in a roll at most big box hardware stores. It comes about six inches wide and is about a 1/2 thick and comes in a roll.
I would definitely make your own forms. For a four inch pad, by 2 x 6 material and for a six inch pad buy 2 x 8 material. I usually use 2 x 4's with pointed ends to pound in for stakes to hold the forms in place. Make sure you put your fasteners holding the forms to the stakes from the stake side and not what will be the inside of the form. Make sure the stakes are below the level of the form so you can use a straight board as a screed when you are pouring the concrete.
As I do with all projects like this, check out Youtube because there is a wealth of information in video form on just about any DIY project you can think. It will give you a good idea of what is involved and various ways to tackle the same project.