The first step in the planning process should be to contact your local building department to check on any requirements. Do you need a permit, do you need to notify them before you dig so as they check for utility lines, what is the strength of concrete required for your project, and there minimum measurement required for width and depth of sidewalks, driveways, walkways, footings and foundations.

The next step would be to make a scales drawing of your project. This will aid you figuring out how much lumber you will need for concrete forms and calculate the square footage for your project. You will use the square footage and the depth of your project to calculate the quantity of Ready Mix Concrete required. The calculate the yardage required multiply the square feet by the depth and expressed in feet (i.e. 6 inches = _ of a foot) and divide by 27( one cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet). If you are not comfortable making this calculation or you want to double check your numbers, you can ask our dispatcher to help or you have use our online concrete calculator. When ordering Ready Mix Concrete one should add 10% for spillage, an uneven base or irregular shapes and forms. Next, determine if you will be removing grass, roots or any other existing obstruction that may require the area to be replaced with fill, such as recycled concrete base, sand or stone.

It is know time to develop a list of tools required to setup the job, finish the concrete and clean up the project area.

To prepare the area you will need:

• Shaded and square shovels • Hammer & Sledge Hammer • Tape measure & Level • Double headed forming nails • Heavy Tamper or roller

• Pick • Hand or power saw • Square and mason string • Form release oil • Wheel barrow

To place and finish the concrete:

• Spade and square shovels • Screed board • Bull-Float or Fresno with handles • Concrete center jointer • Small mason trowel • Curing/Sealing agents

• Come-along/concrete rack • Wood or magnesium hand float • Concrete edger • Concrete Broom • Water hose to clean up • Protective gloves and eyewear

All of the above tolls can be purchase at hardware stores and home improvement centers and many can also be rented at a local rental center.

Next, survey where you are pouring the concrete and how you will get the material there. Can the truck reach the area from the street, will it be carried to the area by wheel barrow, check for low wires soft ground or underground obstacles, such as dry wells. If you have a difficult area to reach consider renting a concrete pump which parks on the street and pumps concrete to the formed area.

Make sure you have plenty of manpower on the job to pour, place and finish the concrete as soon as possible.Most homeowner project are related to flat work (sidewalks, walkways, driveways, patios and pads for sheds). As a result we will discuss subgrade preparation and form construction for these types of projects.

Subgrade Preparation:

Remove all soil, dirt, grass, tree roots and other obstructions so as the depth of the final surface is about a 1/4 inch above ground level. Remove any large stone imbedded in the ground, and remove any soft, loose or spongy areas in the subgrade and replace with sand, stones or recycled concrete. Next, back fill the entire area with sand, stone or recycled concrete to a level and uniform grade, leaving a top grade for your concrete of at least 4 inches for walks and patios and at least 5-6 inches for driveways. Now you will compact you subgrade with a power or hand tamper depending on the size of your project. Remember, if you subgrade required a large amount of fill, compact 4 inch levels. Your subgrade should know be hard, level, uniform and free of debris. Failure to properly prepare the subgrade will result in settling cracks.

Constructing Concrete Forms:

The final grade of your concrete depends on the size of the forms used and the accurate setting of the forms. Set stakes in the corners of the area. Use the mason line and level to set your grade or height of the slab. Set your grade to a slight pitch 1/8 inch per foot, this will allow water to flow off the slab. Remember always pitch your slabs away from existing houses or building. If you are pouring between two structures pitch to the middle of the slab and then front to back also so as the water will flow towards the street. Stakes should be placed every 4 feet apart and behind every joint in the form lumber. The most common type of would used for forms are 2x4’s. Making sure the form lumber is clean and straight, raise the 2x4 so that the top is even and level with the mason line. Always nail from the stake to the 2x4. To make disassembling easier use double headed nails and form release oil so the forms pull apart easier. Continue until all sides of the project are completed. If you are placing new concrete against existing concrete plane an expansion joint in between. Curves should be made by bending 1 inch lumber, be sure to use stake 2 feet apart and back fill in these areas as they are prone to blow out.

When you know that your Ready Mix Concrete order is en route to your location, dampen (not soak) the subgrade with water and then apply your form release oil.