DIY Builds
DIY Builds
Photo: Eman Genatilan
Concrete slabs require a hard and compact soil for a foundation to hold it in place! If the slab was poured on the native ground then Mother Nature has done the contacting with the rain and gravity over a long period of time. But there is a higher probability that the slab was poured on push fill or backfill dirt.
Clear Width: A ramp run must be at least 36 inches wide between the ramp's handrails. Rise: A maximum of 30 inches per run, with no limit on the...
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With the cost of living increasing and the price of construction materials rising, one of the least expensive ways to get concrete is to mix your...
Read More »Concrete slabs require a hard and compact soil for a foundation to hold it in place! If the slab was poured on the native ground then Mother Nature has done the contacting with the rain and gravity over a long period of time. But there is a higher probability that the slab was poured on push fill or backfill dirt. To get the best impaction possible. The soil should be compacted in layers. This requires special equipment called a jumping jack or sheep’s foot and the soil should be free from debris such as sticks. To get the best impaction possible. The soil should be compacted in layers. This requires special equipment called a jumping jack or sheep’s foot and the soil should be free from debris such as sticks. Construction waste, anything that would break down in time. Typical compaction goes something like this during the building and grading process. These soils are dropped in place by machinery, the operator drops the bucket to push the soil down and rolls over it several times to compact it. It may also be left exposed until it has rained on it helping to compact it. Since this larger equipment is operating near newly poured block walls or poured foundations, care is given to not hit or damage the walls and in doing this, usually there is no compacted soil 1 to 3 feet from walls leading unpacked soil that will settle over time. If the soil was not fully and properly compacted, then over time, Mother Nature takes over with gravity and the weight of the slab, steps, or stoop. The soil starts settling if water comes in contact with incompact soil. It will compact much faster and will result in a void under concrete (water is the best compaction). Some areas such as inside retaining walls, and under garage floors may have up to 10 to 15 feet of backfill the front stoop and steps could have 1- 2 foot plus feet of back fill depending on how tall the basement or foundation wall is and layout of lot. The settling of soil can be immediate, or it can take up to 10 years to compact properly. Even if the slab has wire mesh and/or rebar inside. This will only buy it some time rebar and wire mesh will help concrete stay together longer, but all concrete can crack with or without rebar or mesh as these are put in concrete to hold it together when it does crack. I have seen rebar break and rust in concrete over time; these materials do break down over time. If the ground is going to settle or wash out eventually with the weight of the slab and vehicle traffic, it will start to sink or crack up.
At the end of the day it's about providing protection from a spade or digger if it's underground. You can run the cable as it is and just clip it...
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Using nuts and bolts instead of the standard screws is always a good idea since the former is a lot more difficult to break. In addition to...
Read More »You may wonder, "How many concrete blocks do I need for a shed foundation?" You will need four in addition to several concrete leveling blocks. The best concrete blocks for sheds are standard 3 x 8 x 16 solid concrete blocks. Next, you're going to dig your foundation. Use a shovel to remove the soil for the blocks.
Walk into your shed and place the level flat against the back wall on the ground. If the tool reveals that your base is uneven, you should note which side the bubble leans on. Use your jack to raise the back of the shed and place a 2-inch solid concrete leveling block on the side with the bubble. Lower the shed and test with the level again, continuing to add 2-inch blocks until the bubble remains in the middle. Repeat these steps for the front of the shed. Place the level against the wall in the front. While one side of your yard may be higher than another, you may not have dug the holes exactly the right size, so your front results may be different from those in the back. Lastly, you must repeat the steps on each side or your items may roll from back to front. While all the jacking, leveling and lowering may seem tedious, it will be worth it.
Without poly beneath the drywall, water vapor hits the drywall and diffuses through to the drier (in summer) indoor air. By installing a sheet of...
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Best wood preservative for sheds Cuprinol 5 Star Complete Wood Treatment. Everbuild EVBLJCR05 wood preserver – clear. Sikkens SIKCHLSPLO5 wood...
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Two of the most effective methods for creating wall foundations are poured concrete walls and cinder blocks — more professionally known as Concrete...
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Use a combination of different heavy soundproofing materials (the law of diminishing returns if you simply use more of the same) Attach a...
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