How big of a slab could I do by myself?

[paulsharvey]

So, this morning, I was looking for the contact info for the guy I spoke with a couple weeks ago, and couldn't find it. So, I search his add again on FB Market, as hes a short load, independent truck... But, this time, I check his profile, and hes got the same ad ran in Philly, Quebec, Pittsburgh. Yeah, scam. So, forget the short load guy, call the actual closest plant, and they will deliver as small as 1 CY, with a sliding short load fee, for anything less than 6 cy. So, 4 CY, delivered, 5" slump, no fiber, is going to be $932; thats the "all in" price; with short load fee, fuel, environmental charge. Which is about where I expected it.

Now, im going too need to think; and probably form/prep for a 6 yard pour, and get two separate orders of 6, rather than 3 loads of 4.

Ive got 6 cy coming Friday afternoon, 3000, big rock, $1166.30.

 

[paulsharvey]

BTW, big rock, what im referring to is standard rock, not pump mix.

 

[paulsharvey]

Forms are ready for 2 pm. Now, concrete trucks... 2pm might mean noon, or it might mean 4pm.

Right now, its the 9x20x6", the 8x8x6" approach slab, and to eat up the rest of the 6 yards, a 9x6x6".

As I was typing concrete plant called and asked if I could take it early, and I said, im ready now, if it gets here early, im OK with that.

Son got called into work, so im dreading the screeding solo, and to top it off, he took my truck, which had the extra screws....

 

[paulsharvey]

I think I should have maybe 1/4 yard extra, which ill put in the tractor bucket, so I have some extra, clean, mud for anything that blows out or that needs attention as I pull forms

 

[paulsharvey]

Grades never show up well; but the approach slab rises about 12%, which is steeper than I prefer; sometimes Done is better than perfect

 

[bigtiller]

Grades never show up well; but the approach slab rises about 12%, which is steeper than I prefer; sometimes Done is better than perfect

 

[paulsharvey]

To answer the original question, how big of a slab can you do by yourself... for me, I found the answer, 6 cy of 6" thick concrete, thats all the bigger I can do solo....

 

[paulsharvey]

BTW, that was a front discharge truck. Ifnit was a rear, and I had to run the shoot, pull mud, and solo screed.... I might not have made it.

 

[paulsharvey]

Im also going to admit; I Like a hand trowel ed slab, with a very light broom; but 1) I dont have knee boards; 2) that just ain't happening. I know bull float and broom is looked down on in the industry, as half butted, but it is what it is.

Another thing, that one form board... That is a side effect of solo screeding. Do, yes, im gonna pull the 2x6, but im gonna have to do some shady crap to fill that 1.5"×5.5"×6 ft gap, not going to leave the board; but i also wasnt fixing to screed an 18ft wide section

 

[Midniteoyl]

I personally will only use rebar in a concrete pad. It will be set on chairs so it's in the middle of the pad. Wire is impossible to walk on and keep in the middle of the pad. The most common lie told with concrete is that they will pull it up while spreading it.

I have my rebar done before I pour my first pad. The form that divides that pads has notches in it so it fits over the rebar. When the concrete is dry, the form comes off, and then goes to the edge of the next pad.

Pouring one pad in a day wears me out, so I do them once a week. During the week, I buy another pallet of concrete, move my forms, clean up the area and stage everything for the next pour on Saturday morning. I'm in no rush to finish, and the more time I take to get everything in place, the easier it goes.

View attachment 1907195

View attachment 1907196

Ya, this pretty much explains the procedure of pouring in sections. Even recommends the same 'notching' of the forms for the rebar tie-ins..