How to Estimate Concrete Needed
Whether you've decided to mix your own concrete or have it brought in and poured by a professional, estimating of the correct amount of concrete you'll need is important. Many contractors will have a minimum order requirement, so you'll need to know how much you need before you call. Estimating how much concrete you'll need uses a very simple formula and anyone can do it. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Using the slide rule, measure the length in inches of the area you are planning to concrete. Make a note of it.
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Measure and note the width of the area. Again, make sure your measurements are in inches.
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Measure and note the depth of the area in inches. For instance, if you are planning a garden path that you want to have a 6-inch pad of concrete, your depth would be 6 inches.
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Find the volume of this area when measured in cubic yards. Multiply the length by the width. Take the resulting number and multiply it by the depth measurement. Take that resulting number and divide it by 27. Note your final total.
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Add 10 percent to your final total by taking your cubic yard total and multiplying it by 0.10. This bit of extra concrete will compensate for any concrete lost in spills. Add that number back to your original cubic yard total and you now have a good estimate for the amount of concrete needed for your project, plus a bit extra for errors or loss.
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Tips & Warnings
If your project area has irregular measurements in either width, depth or length, always use measurements taken at its largest point.
References
- Photo Credit Concrete mixer image by zalisa from Fotolia.com
