Pour Concrete
A simple guide to pouring concrete! This instructable is more for small pads. However, the techniques are pretty much the same as large ones. The large pads just have a few extra steps. I hope you enjoy the instructable and post in the comments if you have any questions.
Tools and Supplies
1. Pre-mixed concrete
2. Wheelbarrow
3. Concrete trowel
4. Rebar
5. Rebar ties
6. Shovel
7. Mag float
8. Level
9. Measuring tape
10. Dobies
11. Hammer- if needed
12. Drill hammer- if needed
2. Wheelbarrow
3. Concrete trowel
4. Rebar
5. Rebar ties
6. Shovel
7. Mag float
8. Level
9. Measuring tape
10. Dobies
11. Hammer- if needed
12. Drill hammer- if needed
Grade Your Area
You'll need to grade your dirt to ensure you poured the concrete deep enough.
1. Remove or add dirt to your pad until you're 4 to 5 inches deep. The measurement should be from where the top of the concrete will be to the dirt level.
2. You can set heights with wood boards on large pads. On smaller pads, you can just place a level across for your height.
1. Remove or add dirt to your pad until you're 4 to 5 inches deep. The measurement should be from where the top of the concrete will be to the dirt level.
2. You can set heights with wood boards on large pads. On smaller pads, you can just place a level across for your height.
Place Rebar Into Walls, If Needed.
You'll drill a hole into the sides of the walls, if needed. So if you're pouring your concrete into a similar area like ours then you'll need to place rebar into the existing cement.
1. Drill 5" inwards into the wall with a 1/2" drill hammer bit.
2. Grab #4 rebar and place into the hole. Hit the end of the rebar with a hammer until rebar is inserted the 5".
1. Drill 5" inwards into the wall with a 1/2" drill hammer bit.
2. Grab #4 rebar and place into the hole. Hit the end of the rebar with a hammer until rebar is inserted the 5".
Install Rebar
Place your rebar in a crisscross fashion.
1. Place your rebar 16" to 18" apart from each other.
2. Tie the rebar at the crisscross sections.
3. Also, tie the rebar from the wall to the parallel rebar if needed.
4. Remove 2 inches of dirt underneath the rebar. You need the concrete to surround the rebar for strength.
5. Add dobies to ensure the rebar is lifted. The rebar should be around 2 to 3 inches from where the top of the concrete will be.
1. Place your rebar 16" to 18" apart from each other.
2. Tie the rebar at the crisscross sections.
3. Also, tie the rebar from the wall to the parallel rebar if needed.
4. Remove 2 inches of dirt underneath the rebar. You need the concrete to surround the rebar for strength.
5. Add dobies to ensure the rebar is lifted. The rebar should be around 2 to 3 inches from where the top of the concrete will be.
Pour Concrete
1. Make your concrete. Grab pre-mixed concrete and place into a wheelbarrow. Add water till your concrete is pretty wet.
2. Dump the concrete into your area. Use a woodboard to flatten the top of the concrete for height. It doesn't have to be perfect, but should pretty even.
3. Grab your mag float and start smoothing out your concrete. Add concrete to low areas and holes to fill in voids.
4. Wait till the concrete starts to harden. Constantly smooth the concrete with the concrete troul over the next few hours.
5. Once the concrete is dry and smooth enough then let it dry completely.
2. Dump the concrete into your area. Use a woodboard to flatten the top of the concrete for height. It doesn't have to be perfect, but should pretty even.
3. Grab your mag float and start smoothing out your concrete. Add concrete to low areas and holes to fill in voids.
4. Wait till the concrete starts to harden. Constantly smooth the concrete with the concrete troul over the next few hours.
5. Once the concrete is dry and smooth enough then let it dry completely.
Congrats!
Congrats! You're done. This instructable is for small pads. If you do a large pad then you'll need to place cuts into your concrete to ensure it doesn't crack. However, you need a giant concrete saw. So, you can hire someone to place these cuts at a pretty cheap price. I hope you enjoyed the instructable and make sure to subscribe.