How much concrete do I need for a 20×20 patio. Please give me info on the process. I want to try to do this myself.
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where do we start? What do you know about concrete other than that it is hard?
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Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Nothing at all. Give all the info needed for a project like this.
I think you are going to need a book. Somebody else will be along to recommend one.First step is the prep work.
You need to have a good firm gravel base that is well drained. That sometimes means going deeper and laying drain lines under the slab in clean stone, sometimes just around the perimeter.Prep is important because with water under or poor soil, the slab will heave, move, and break up, or in northern climates, you can end up with it tilted back towards the house causing water to run in to your current foundation.The mineral base under the slab should be compacted as it is placed to be hard enough to walk on it without making a footprint. too loose, and it will settle out later and let the slab move or break up.All this base placement should be done with final elevation in mind. The step down from interior floor space to exterior finish should be planned to be appropriate and should end up at grade or higher. Below grade and you end up with a skating rink or frog pondAll this is hard work, but easier than placing and finishing the concrete itself.there's the first chapter
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Next - what sort of finish will you want?
Stamped, broomed, polished, bricked or pavers or other top stone?
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20' x 20' x 3-1/2" = 4.32 cu yds.; 20' x 20' x 5-1/2" = 6.79 cu yds.
Piffin is typing the details.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
not all of them, just a hint. It would take me all night to write all the info this guy needs.And that would be just basic knowledge, not the technique that is almost impossible to teach in a form and definitely impossible to teach to a novice even on site!Besides, I hate crete work. you work 'till you puke, then wait and wait and wait, then work 'till you puke, then ....
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
you in the mood to ruin 5 yds of concrete?
unless you have placed concrete before, I wouldn't start with a patio of this size. concrete is very unforgiving, you cannot stop the hydration process once it starts, so learning on this type of job could get expensive fast. start with something smaller.
if your serious about learning more, a starting point would be reading Taunton's book "Working with Concrete", to familiarize yourself woth the basics. Then practice with a small pad for a door or deck stairs.
"you in the mood to ruin 5 yds of concrete?"Good way to put it.There is a story here of a guy who thought contractors were rip-offs so he wasn't very well liked. He was going to build his own garage and he found a way to figure out how much concrete he needed for a slab.He got the are cleared and some gravel dumped which he raked around more or less level.Then he called the batch plant and ordered his yardage. Two trucks showed up, "Where do you want it?"He thought the drivers were going to form, pour, screed and finish. I don't think he had any steel on site either.Lucky for him, he was able to get some guy together who would drop what they were doing, run up there with planks, and form and pour it for him..Guys still wag their heads when they drive by....
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
a guy who thought contractors were rip-offs
Kinda reminds me of that phrase, "never enough money to do it right the first time, but always enough money to redo it" or something to that effect.
I don't do alot of concrete, and certainly not without a lot of experienced help. Can't imagine wanting to place 5 yds +/- as my first pour.
Maybe the OP is really enthusiastic and wants to learn, but this is not a job to be "taught" over the internet. Nobody here will be able to help him as the mud comes down the chute.
edit: last paragraph intended to the OP to reinforce your point
Edited 7/9/2007 5:03 pm ET by vintage1
Give all the info needed for a project like this.
You will find that there are a great many highly skilled professionals available here to help you out. I suggest you say "please" when asking said highly skilled professionals for assistance. You should also say where you plan to place this concrete, as installation in Iraq may differ in material ways from installation in Maine. For one, the people in Maine are nicer (e.g. Piffin) and for another, you need to account for frost in Maine, not so much in Iraq.
The more information you can provide, the more useful help you will get.
nicer...Well thank you. On other odd days I might be more direct but was trying to leave hints laying about here where he can find them like a scavenger hunt.Hey, I'm bored today
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Looks like you need 20x20 sq.Ft.
And a book, and some manners.
You noticed?;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Too hot in DE to work outside today 95+ - took mental health day.
Carry on!
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
I need all the info I can get. From preparation to finish. I want a polished finish. I have a sloping yard. What do I do. What price range am I looking at for a contractor or diy?
That is not something anyone can just spout off to you. How about you call a local concrete guy and get a price? If you have never done it, or seen it done right, then you have no clue what you are in for, and you will be extremely unhappy, in many ways.
and not 1 thank you or 1 please.
No kiddin.
Like the guy praying for patience.
"God, gimme patience, and NOW"
LOL
My Dad was a great guy and an artist with a bulldozer. He didn't, however, always recognize his weaknesses and ask for help.
In July 1961, we had just moved into a new house and Pop decided that the weekend would be a good time to pour the driveway. On Friday, my younger brother and I (I was 15 then), helped Pop form the driveway and lay the baserock. Bright and early Saturday morning the first concrete truck pulled in and dropped ~three yards (IIRC). Little Bro and I started screeding with a long 2 x 6 and Pop was trying to float it. It was around 90* by 10:00 am and we were falling further behind by the minute. By 11:00 we had completely lost it and were all exhausted. About half of the drive was "finished". Pop threw the float down, blew his stack, and swore he would never touch concrete again!! We use shovels to kinda schmear the last of the concrete around and it sat that way for a couple of years until he got someone to break it all out and do it right.
Pop kept his word though. Nineteen years later, they were visiting us in our new CA house when I was pouring some sidewalks. Everything was formed and I went to the lumber yard for a 1 yard cart of concrete. He rode along, but when we got back, MY OLD MAN WOULDN'T EVEN HELP ME WITH A LOUSY YARD!!!! - lol
Notice I ain't said a word to him?SamT
about what? did he ask something? ...or was he just barking some orders?
I haven't obeyed an order since 10:30am, May 12, 1978.SamT
Gotta divorce? (G)
Mor'n likely Unc Sam, Sam.
I gave an order the other day... 3 eggs over easy, bacon, hash browns scattered dbl covered dbl smothered, raisin toast. then I said please & thank you... OH! and a pecan waffle too please.
There is a huge price difference from one part of the country to the next.
There are all sorts of variables depending on how difficult it might be to get equipment to where you want the slab, how much slope, what kind of polished finish, etc...
If you are in the right part of the country, all the stars are lined up just right, flat terrain and you know how to pick your contractor, you might get it done for $500. Outside of that, it could easily cost ten times that.
Based on your questions, you should not even consider DIY.
five yard
25 yards....
not so much base work needed and at zero slump it will be self leveling...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!