concrete question

[joeu235]

I will be installing a cattle guard soon and need to pour some concrete. I need to put in a 12" x 18" x 14' footer with a 6" x 12" x 14' vertical section on top. There will be x2 of these and look like the below picture.

Question: Do I pour the footing first and leave rebar sticking up to install the upper portion later? Or do I pour it all at once?

If I do it in sections, I'll bring a truck in for the bottom and do the top with bags.

 

[orezok]

I would pour it all at once. It’s no different than forming and pouring a set of concrete steps.

 

[RNeumann]

Monolithic is fine....it’s just a cattle guard.

 

[EddieWalker]

I would pour it all at once. Once footings are dug, and the forms built, it's super easy to pour it once and be done.

Be sure to build your forms so you can pour the concrete into the bottom portion without the board over the step, or ledge part. And when that fills up, you can install the board over it so the weight of the concrete does not push it out as you fill up the higher section.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Yep...exactly like Eddie said. It will turn out great that way.

 

[joeu235]

Thanks for the responses. I'm a remodeling contractor, my direct experience with concrete is out of a bag.

I've got a 20 x 20 patio I need to pour as well. I might build out all the forms and just sub out the actual pouring.

 

[bdog]

Definitely pour it all at once.

Bagged concrete is actually a lot more expensive than from a truck once you need the quantities to meet their minimum.

Doing the patio at the the same time is a great idea. Hiring a finisher is a great idea. Anything I can reach all the way across like a sidewalk I pour myself. Anything I can’t I hire someone. I am horrible on a bull float and screeding without forms to rest on is a mystery to me.