Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 25, 1999 01:04pm | #1

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   On the off-chance that you're not pulling our leg my first suggestion is to get a concretor in to do the job for you.Pouring a slab is not as easy as making a cake.

   Failing that, and you are determined to DIY, then you may care to post some more information. e.g. size of tub / slab? outdoors or indoors? soil type?do you have access to readymix concrete or will you mix your own?

   regards

   mark

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 25, 1999 01:57pm | #2

   *nancy,I'd have to agree. Slabs are not the best first-time concrete project (things like fence posts are a much better place to start). Finishing the surface needs not just knowledge, but also skill and expertise that only experience can provide (e.g., you wouldn't expect to become a decent tennis player just by reading a book about tennis). And unlike wood, concrete is unforgiving -- you have to get it right the first time, or it's Sledgehammer City.For a small job like this, see if you can line up a concrete sub on short notice, one that does "flatwork" (what slabs are called). I would think that most places would have plenty of them.Barring that, try to find a friend that's done it before. Beg or bribe him or her to help plan, and to definitely be there the day of the pour.

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 26, 1999 05:47am | #3

   *Nancy:Here are some pointers to URLs for you to read:http://209.152.108.248/concrete1.htmlhttp://www3.hgtv.com/village/villages/buildmore/shows/tfx/tfx_concretepad_intro.htmlSome other info:After reading the info at the above links, calculate the amount of concrete that will be required. Concrete is normally figured in cubic feet (for very small jobs) and cubic yards (usually simply referred to as "yards"). The calculation should be covered in the above links. 80# bags of concrete mix yield about 2/3 of a cubic foot of concrete. If your project will require 1/2 a yard of concrete, (~13.5 cubic feet) or more of concrete, planing on having a ready mix concrete truck deliver the premixed concrete.Next, (armed with the above info) find someone who you can have a face to face conversation with about this topic, who has some experience working with concrete. I don't think that this forum is really an appropriate medium for you to get the level of info you need.Concerning your timetable, even if you can get the concrete installed that quickly, you need to let the concrete set up for at least a week before placing a heavy load on it like a full hot tub. Actually, concrete isn't close to being full strength for 30 days... not that it necessarily needs to be full strength.PS: Thanks for the informative subject line on you posting!

2. 
   Ben_Carnes | Aug 26, 1999 06:15am | #4

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   Nancy, a thought. I have installed several "above ground" hot tubs of the plug-in, fully self-contained fiberglass-in-skirting type and the manufacturer has recommended putting them on gravel beds, allowing spilled water to drain away. If this is the type you are installing, it's only a matter of a few stakes and 2 X 4's to "contain" the gravel. If you really need a slab don't try it without someone who has handled concrete before....as stated above, you only get one chance and it only lasts a few hours. It's not that difficult once you have watched (and helped) it done, but not worth the problems if it's done wrong.

   -Ben

3. 
   nancyO | Aug 26, 1999 06:15am | #5

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   Can someone tell me how to prepare the ground, and pour a concrete slab? do I need a form? Is there a special type of mixture to use? I need to build a base for a hot tub and I only have 2 weeks to do it.