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Is laying, ouring cement difficult?; Subsitite for ashphault
Topic Started: Feb 3 2012, 08:52 PM (1,221 Views)
Cobb
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Our home is a foreclosure and is not up to the Jones, or the Smiths, the Wangs, etc. We have a dirt walk way to the house and pea gravel in the driveway. Our neighbors have black top and side walks. We were quotes 2500 for 85 feet of black top and thought that was a bit more Than we wanted to pay.A guy who was a generl handy man said to use cement nd just make soem forms and pour it in for the driveway. For the path to the house we needed to dig down, then force it and pour.

Is it really that easy?
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Memphis metro


When working concrete you want plenty of help to drag it with and the finishing is what makes the job nice or not. Concrete has shot thru the roof in price like everything else. It will not be cheap.
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Rooy


You'll need as much help as you can get. At least a few guys. Concrete doesn't just end up with a nice finish, it takes a lot of work. I wouldn't do it without having at least one guy with you that has experience. You'll also need to get some concrete floats.
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Way


Rooy
Feb 3 2012, 09:11 PM
You'll need as much help as you can get. At least a few guys. Concrete doesn't just end up with a nice finish, it takes a lot of work. I wouldn't do it without having at least one guy with you that has experience. You'll also need to get some concrete floats.
:gp DEFINITELY get someone in there with experience in finishing concrete. No question. Even if you have to pay someone a bit extra, if he knows what he's doing it will be well worth it.
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Old Man


When we poured, (15 years ago), we had them add fiberglass fibers to the mix. Costs at that time was $5 per yard.--they said it would stop any small cracks from developing.............and they were correct.
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Memphis metro


Concrete is good stuff, they buried Hoffa in it and he has yet to be found.
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billy508
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billy508

What Rooy said!! You'll need as much help as you can get. At least a few guys. Concrete doesn't just end up with a nice finish, it takes a lot of work. I wouldn't do it without having at least one guy with you that has experience. You'll also need to get some concrete floats.
If you do it your self one thing you need to do is rent a magnesium bull float. http://www.capcityequipment.com/cbullfloats.html
Put more braces than you think you need as cement is much heavier than you think. Practice "striking" or pulling a board across your forms before you pour. Talk with the concrete company. Ask if they have driver that can work concrete that would help you. Sometimes if you are scheduled late in the day the driver will come back to help(for a fee of course) . Try not to get part of a load. You dont want to be the last guy that gets concrete that is getting "hot". Working cement that has been in truck too long can really be hard. Side walks and drivesway are not too hard but be careful to watch your grade and double check your lay out. Places like RAM tool has expansion strips, rebar or remesh sheets and release agents you can put on your forums to make a cleaner job. They make little things called "chairs" that hold the mat off the ground so it support the concrete better. Also dont over work it Strike it, float it, sweep it if that is the finish you want, then leave it alone. Good Luck
:banana :banana :banana
Edited by billy508, Feb 4 2012, 01:36 AM.
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robertino
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I would suggest finding out the price of concrete first. I can tell you that if you are going to do this yourself you will need at least a 4 inch slab that is reinforced because you'll be driving a car on it and sometimes parking it. The forms and the re-bar is easy. The concrete will be a bit tricky but as long as it's mixed well ( wet )you should be ok to get a smooth driveway. You will need some special tools and help, that's for sure.I'd say you may need a truck and 1/2 of concrete.
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earthtoad


These Guys are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.....The Un-initiated can REALLY Wreak HAVOC with a Concrete Job......It'll look like HELL, Cost alot of $$ (For Nothing) and Do NOTHING for the Curb Appeal / Sales Appeal of your House.....DIY is OK......Just Get some Experienced Help, and Plenty of It.......I Speak from Personal Experience :( :(
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bogs
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Duct tape heals all wounds

Cobb, like everything else in life, there are steps in a process. This should give you a pretty good over view of doing a side walk in concrete -> http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Concrete---Brick/Concrete/how-to-pour-a-concrete-sidewalk/Step-By-Step <-

And doing a driveway -> http://www.rusticgirls.com/how-to/how-to-build-a-concrete-driveway/ <-

Having said that, was the advice your handy man gave you correct as well?

- On the driveway I would say no. As was mentioned, for a driveway you want a minimum 4" slab, your going to also need a compacted bed, rebar, many other things besides just the form work.

- On the sidewalk I would say "maybe", but that is only because I know I can do it. You can work in smaller forms, mix your own cement, take your time, and work until it is done, but it would depend on YOU.

I'll also say this, make sure you have estimated your costs diy vs. done for you carefully. At the end of the job, I really doubt you are going to find you saved a lot on the pour itself, those guys have the numbers down pretty good. The labor costs too, and you will have to insure anyone you bring on property to work with you.

It ain't like it was when I was younger, that is for sure. Good luck in your decisions.
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econoboxer
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I am the one on the left.

Cobb, its a PITA to pour your own concrete. that said, it is doable.
A mag bull float is important.
are you going to use a gandy?
are you looking at a 6 bag, 8 bag, or ten bag mix?

Spread it, float it, finish it, broom it if wanted. (we did to add a bit of traction for the pooches.)
It also depends on the dimensions you want to pour. Find a friend or neighbor who has experience and get their help. A barbecue afterwards is a nice reward.

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91 ragtop
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You said 85 feet but didn't say how wide. Is the price for the asphalt including the dirtwork before they pave ? There is alot of prep work involved when paving or pouring concrete. These questions need to be answered before anyone can make an informed decision. Around my part of the country concrete is going for about $110 yard and that adds up fast .

Ken.......
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Cobb
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Thx, so maybe that price is fair? It's 8 ft.
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Memphis metro


Another tip. The last driveway I poured, I got the big idea when the truck arrived to tell the driver I did not want much water in the concrete (with the idea of the least amount of water would make the concrete stronger, and prevent bubbles in the concrete). Long story short, me and my helpers like to died before we got that 10 yards of concrete drug and finished. Made for a good strong drive but a little more water sure would have made working it easier. Also when they deliever concrete by truck, that thing ways a bunch. If you have curbs, lay down some poles or something before the curb for the truck to back up on before getting to the curb or he may bust your curb backing over it from all the weight of the truck.
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91 ragtop
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I ran a mixer truck for two years and had alot of wierd experiences with novices. One that really was a doozie was when i get to this house and the lady that lived there was the only one there. She ordered 5 yards of mud and wanted me to dump it the middle of her driveway. She said it was a suprise birthday present for her husband and that he could spread it out when he got home from work. I about died and explained to her how it works wiyh concrete and managed to get my boss to find another job to take it to so she wouldn't get charged for the load.

Ken....
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