How to Pour a Concrete Slab for a Shed
A shed will be much more durable if it is built on a concrete slab foundation instead of just dirt. The slab will protect the shed from rot and provide a better seal against insects and vermin. Concrete slabs are easy to build and maintain, and can be prepared in just a few hours with simple ingredients, a few tools and a willingness to do a little manual labor. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- 4 Wire flags
- Shovel
- Wheelbarrow
- Level
- Saw
- 4 2x6 planks
- 8 3-inchnails
- Concrete mix
- Water
- Trowel
- 1 2x4 plank
Instructions
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1
Locate the spot where the slab will be poured. Measure the dimensions of the slab with the tape measure and mark each corner with a wire flag.
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2
Dig a hole four inches deep where the slab will lie. Make the slab at least six inches larger on each side to accommodate a wooden frame for the concrete. Put the soil in the wheelbarrow for easy transport.
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3
Cut 2x6 planks according to the planned measurements of the slab. Secure the planks to each other with a pair of three inch nails at each corner. Place the frame in the freshly dug pit.
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4
Level the frame in the soil, ensuring that the wood is level in all directions.
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5
Mix the concrete and water according to the concrete manufacturer's instructions. Make sure enough mix is available to fill the frame at six inches deep.
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6
Pour or shovel the concrete mix into the wooden frame, filling the frame to the top.
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Use a 2x4 plank to level the surface of the concrete. Run the plank diagonally from one corner to the next. Use the trowel to fill in any holes or depressions on the surface. Re-surface with the 2x4 as needed until the top of the concrete is level and smooth.
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Allow the concrete mix to cure. This can take from six to 24 hours, depending on the concrete mix. Read the manufacturer's instructions for details.
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Remove the wooden frame after the concrete has set, then use excess dirt to fill in the remaining gap in the hole between the hole's edge and the new slab. The slab's surface should sit an inch or two higher than the surrounding soil. Deposit the remaining soil in the wheelbarrow in a clean fill area.
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Tips & Warnings
Spray the ground beneath the slab with insecticide to reduce the odds of an ant or termite infestation. If your slab is intended to be large, consider renting a small backhoe or bulldozer to assist with soil removal.
Do not make the surface of the slab even with ground level. A slight elevation, although non-standard, will give extra clearance during heavy rains or sudden floods, and it reduces the odds that dirt or insects will come in contact with the shed's wooden frame, thus reducing the risk of rot.
