A concrete house slabs Melbourne is one of the largest and time-consuming components of building your home, as it requires numerous inspections.
Start by driving stakes into the corners of your new slab site and using a level to assess any slope. After that, grade and clear away soil as necessary in preparation for your new slab.
Preparation
Concrete is a solid material with greater compressive strength than tension strength, so proper foundation preparation is of utmost importance for successful concrete work. Aiming for compacted bases of at least 75mm thick should ensure optimal results.
Start by driving stakes into each corner of where you will place your slab and using a level to ascertain whether the site slopes – if this is the case you must build up the low side. Remove all rocks, debris and weeds before digging away any excess soil until your desired depth has been achieved.
Use a plate compactor to achieve a firm, flat surface for your concrete slab. Next, lay out a bed of gravel fill 4-6cm thick and compact it firmly before placing the concrete.
Finally, cut or splice two 2×12 boards together (for longer stretches) and nail them securely to one corner stake.
Forms
A slab for a shed, playhouse, or other structure must be carefully formed in order to remain level and sturdy. Start by clearing away rocks and weeds before dampening down the soil – loose dirt will not provide an adequate base.
Drive stakes into the corners of your project area and string a line level between them in order to determine its slope rate, this will enable you to more precisely locate where form boards need to go.
Cut one long side form board 3″ longer than your new slab and nail it to corner stakes.
Pour your concrete in sections if necessary to reduce how long it will take you to mix and place. Enlist someone’s assistance for edge trimming or screeding work if working alone.
Concrete
A concrete slab is an investment worth making over time and should be planned and installed correctly to ensure its strength and longevity.
Once your formwork is assembled, backfill to a level with backfill materials before hammering 100 cm spaced timber pegs around its perimeter to keep it in place and enable you to easily screed the concrete once poured.
Finishing
Once your concrete has set, it’s important to give its surface time to settle before proceeding to smooth it out. A bull float can help press down aggregate, pushing cream (gravel-free concrete) toward the surface. After several passes with this device, move away while keeping its leading edge slightly elevated before using a magnesium hand float in long sweeping motions to complete this step. Allow a few hours for your new creation to sit before lightly misting with a garden hose – this helps the concrete cure slowly while decreasing chances of cracking!
Laying a concrete slab can be a rewarding project and is an excellent way to improve your garden space. With proper planning and preparation, concrete slabs make an ideal durable heat-resistant foundation for alfresco dream spaces!