Pouring a concrete patio.?
Question:I am looking to pour a concrete patio that is 32' x 15' but im not sure how thick it needs to be. How many cubic yards will I need to buy? whats the cost of concrete in southern california? I want the truck to come to my house and pump it into my forms..
Answers:
Don't let them rib you heybaby. I poured a 10' x 22' and a 8' x 10' porch when I was 18 years old for my father on the same day. that was over 35 years ago and it is still setting there without any cracks and I even colored the front porch and had never poured concrete in my life.
I just did what daddy told me too so here goes. By the way, I have poured more concrete sense than than I can to remember.
To start with it should be 3 1/2" to 4" thick. At 4" it call for 5.92 yards but you can't order it this way. You must order it by the quarter yard so the closes one would be 6 yards. However, according to how big it is, I always order 1/4 to 1/2 yard too much to make sure you have enough.
It never comes out exactly by the numbers and the second truck, should you be a quarter yard short will cost you an extra $250 to $300 dollars for $30 to $60 worth of concrete.
If the area has been screaded down and it is all 3 /12" to 4" and you are sure about that, as someone else said, I would order 6 1/4 yards, but I am warning you, it won't take many 5" deep pockets for you to be ordering another truck so make dam sure you have it graded right or order 6 1/2 yards.
If I were you, I would call the ready-mix companies and ask who pours concrete and try to find someone else that does it for a living to do it. I have as I said, poured more than I care to remember but I finally learned, even as much as I have poured, someone that does it all the time will make me look stupid try to pour it.
They will pour it and be gone in 3 or 4 hours with thier 3 or 4 hundred bucks where I would still be there I would still be there working on it 3 or 4 hours later.
Another thing, I am talking about pouring it in Virginia where it isn't as hot as in S. Cal. is. The hotter it is, the faster you have to work it.
The next thing, if you do decide to pour it yourself, is you need atleast one good helper at the very minimum. 3 would be much better. That is a large area for a novice to pour.
I am like a couple of others about it. You can probably pour it, but if it is your first time pouring, you will regret you didn't pay the little extra to have a pro do it later on.
If you do decide to do it yourself, e-mail me and I will give you some more details on what to look out for.
Good luck
Dennis
Give them the measurements and they will work out how many meters of concrete you will need and the thickness depends on the weight that will be on it but probably about 4 inches
pour it 4 in. thick. you will need 6 1/4 yds. have them add fiber. it will cost you more to have it pumped. better to leave one end of your form off and have him pull in. he may be able to shoot it all from the long side. better have lots of help
Mud in SO CA depending on where you are is from 98-120yrd plus another couple hundred to pump it...
>>>THIS IS NOT A DIY PROJECT>>>>>
I want you to get your check book out hold it in your hand, go stand in the space where the slab is to be poured and say this very slow out loud.."darn it, now what am I gonna do" if you say it now it may take some of the blow off later.
Good luck dude,. call us when its time to take it out.
Thanks again HGTV you have done wonders for our business...
I'm not trying to be a jerk but some things are better left to a professional. There are many concrete projects the average DIYer can do but this is not one of them..
I'm really interested in the poured and then stained concrete. It's beautiful. Good Luck with your project.
that is hilarious uno.I totally agree.People arent afraid to jump into concrete for some reason. Maybe they dont realize its a one time deal and alot can go wrong. I guess if you dont care what it looks like or if its a nice job..
you can take a look on this site they made patio furniture
http://www.gadwood.com/index1.html...
i hope this will help
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