How to lay a Concrete Base

How to lay a Concrete Base

If you aren’t the most experienced in laying Concrete slabs, the task at hand can look slightly intimidating. We’ve drawn up a simple step-by-step guide on how to lay your Concrete base with ease.

As you might be already aware, laying any sort of Concrete is a task that requires a lot of patience and care. A lack of concentration can potentially end up ruining your project and could be costly.

Our simple Concrete Base guide details the appropriate Concrete mix, successful Concrete pouring techniques, and the tools you will need to help finalise your project for a durable and long-lasting result.

Step 1: Preparation

Firstly, you will need to mark out where you are planning on casting your Concrete base. You can use wooden pegs and string to mark out the area where the concrete is going to be poured, allowing an extra 75mm for the formwork. You must then make sure to dig the area deep enough to lodge the subbase and damp-proof membrane as well as accounting for the thickness of the Concrete slab itself.

Concrete slabs supporting lighter weights such as paths, patios, and shed bases will need to be around 75-100mm thick, while driveways and garages must be at least 100mm thick. Then make sure to remove all plant matter, rocks and debris and compact the area before adding the hardcore subbase and compacting again.

Step 2: Framing the Concrete slab

Now, you must create the formwork using 25mm-thick timber planks to support the wet Concrete as it begins to solidify. It is easier to use the top of the framework to determine the height of the finished slab. Take time with this stage by checking and then double checking the height, width, and depth of the framework as it will pay off later!

Step 3: How much Concrete do you need? 

Once you have finished the preparation, you are now ready to lay your Concrete slab. To help you determine on how much Concrete you need, The Mick George Group have made an online Concrete Calculator to determine what volume of Concrete you require, to ensure you don’t run short or incur any wasted materials.

Concrete Calculator – Mick George – Next Day Service

Step 4: Pouring the Concrete

Concrete typically starts to go off within 2-3 hours of being mixed, so at this step you need to be ready to unload and level the Concrete as quick as possible. Make sure that the site has been prepared for the delivery vehicle if you are having one, ensuring that there is enough room and a suitable surface which will support its weight and that you have all the tools need at hand ready to unload and level as quickly as you can.

You must remember that when you are working with wet Concrete, cement or mortar, suitable protective clothing must be worn, and care must be taken to avoid contact with your skin or eyes. The Concrete will be reasonably wet when being poured so a shovel can be used to spread it between the forms and roughly level it, just make sure it isn’t your favourite shovel!

A straight edged piece of timber can then be used to tamp down the Concrete, eliminating any air pockets and ensuring it gets into the corners of the forms. Remember that smooth concrete can be quite slippery so often a tampered finish is preferable.

Step 5: Curing Concrete

It is crucial that the Concrete doesn’t dry out too quickly as it hardens, the simplest way to achieve this is to keep the slab damp by covering it with a plastic sheeting. Drying time for Concrete is typically 48 hours but we recommend you give it a good 4/5 days to let it dry. Formwork can be removed after around 24 hours, although it is advised to leave it for 72 hours to avoid any possible damage to the edges of the new slab.

There you have it, your Concrete slab has been laid and is ready for whatever use you have for it! Remember you can contact The Mick George Group and we can supply whatever Concrete you need for you Concrete slab project.