What i did on my holidays - By ian age 41 1/4

[lutonlagerlout]

you want it as level as possible because sub base is cheap but concrete is not
also better to have a variation in the subase than the oversite
we wouldnt want any cracks would we ian???
LLL

[IanMelb]

you want it as level as possible because sub base is cheap but concrete is not
also better to have a variation in the subase than the oversite
we wouldnt want any cracks would we ian???
LLL

At this stage, I'm more concerned about the time I've got available to me to do the leveling before the day the concrete arrives. - I can't take any more days off work before then and my weekends are pretty chocka.

However, what you're saying is that it may be more structurally unsound if I don't level off. In which case I'd better find some hours to do it !

Mind you, I'd be surprised if there weren't any cracks by the time I've finished it all

[Ian-Mitch]

Looks great ian - well done - trampoline looking ripe in the corner over there - am watching your progress with interest .. good luck

[seanandruby]

Well done m8. I've seen men who have been in the game as long as me, who would still be standing scratching there balls waiting to be told what to do next your an inspiration to the diyer. as long as you put down a membrane you'll be fine. :;):

[Dave_L]

you want it as level as possible because sub base is cheap but concrete is not

The same applies when we prepare for tarmac - "stone is cheap, tar isn't!"

[IanMelb]

Thanks for all the poistive comments, guys. It does help to motivate me to keep at it, even when the weather is pretty grim.

Mind you, I took some time off this morning to head down to a timber auction. Managed to pick up 43 4.8m lengths of 50x100 (planed) for £150. As far as I can work out this is around half of what it normally costs (if I'm wrong, then let me down gently ). Also my Brother-in-law says that he has some leftover membrane and reinforcing mesh that would easily fit my project.

So, next stage is to level up as much as I can, collect the timber, use some of it to knock up the shuttering, drop in the membrance and then get the pad poured. Hopefully all that will be done for a couple of days after next Bank Holiday.

[lutonlagerlout]

thats cheap ian i pay around £1 a metre for 4 by 2 planed
as long as its straight..........................
LLL

[IanMelb]

Got wood


Shuttering ready to drop into place -


Pythagoras Power - the magic of 5-4-3 -

[Stuarty]

good to see your still pressing on, and keeping us all updated with the works

[IanMelb]

I've got to keep working on it, I need a place to escape to - I've reached that 'shed age' of life

The concrete comes on Tuesday so I'm picking up the visqueen and the mesh tomorrow and getting all ready for over the next couple of days. I'm going for a fairly runny mix, about 80 slump (after discussion with the Concrete company) - I'm not bothered aboput how long it takes to go off (I'm back at work on Wednesday) but I am concerned as to whether my mate will be fit to give me a hand with the levelling and tamping (he's not feeling too clever right now).

Actually, that sounds like a good book title - "The Concrete Comes on Tuesday" - maybe a follow up to Kenny Everet's "The Custard Stops at Watford" (or was it Hatfield ?)

[seanandruby]

What kind of finish are you going for? light tamp, metal, wood, or plastic trowel, or light/heavy brush with arris edge?

[IanMelb]

Any finish will do - as long as it's level !:D

Once it's down then it's going to get a load of insulation chucked on top of it, some underfloor heating pipe, some dry-ish screed and then some chipboard flooring.

By the time that lot is down, the finish probably won't matter

[nelly05]

@ IanMelb,

Only one problem i can see in your piccie where the shutterings in ready to pur concrete.............

Youll never get it level if you dont move that wacker :p

LOL, looking good fella

Keep the piccies coming

Regards

[seanandruby]

That wacker is like a god ( see the bright lights adorning it? ) it will walk on concrete, lol.

[IanMelb]

Sizing up the reinforcing mesh - the gap/channel is there in case I need to dig out a hole at a later stage:






Mesh and visqueen 'dry run':




Pad poured - the weather seems very changeable so we've prepared a temporary awning in case it starts to chuck it down.

It's not the most professional concrete pad in the world, but I hope it'll do the job...