Cement pad for dog

[weld1]

How big of a cement pad can one make from the premix bags at the home store before it becomes unrealistic? is maybe 8' x 10' doable? thanks

[theoilman]

8 x 10 is going to take a lot of bags. Most have on the bag the expected area to cover per bag at 3" and at 4" thick. If a 40 lb bag will do 1 sq foot at 4" you will need 80 bags (I think that is what I saw the last I checked, but double check first). You can mix 3 or 4 40# bags in a large wheelbarrow at a time. That works out to 20 batches - get several friends and several 6-packs to do it - 1 very busy afternoon - and ration the 6-packs until it gets done.

This size may be approaching unrealistic!

[crappiekid]

rent a mixer at a local rental center

get sand / gravel from local

get concrete mix from local lumber yard or aggerate supply

Or here is what i would do ask around for someone to scab it in that does this for a living. You will be time and money ahead this way.

too bad that you are far away from south metro. I know several people down here ..

[shizzy]

I second the mixer and friends deal. My Pops and I have done some amazing things with his old Hardware store electric cement mixer.

I would run the mixer and he would run the wheel burrow and trowel. thousands of fence posts have been anchored and many many feet of walkways have been poured.

[lookin4fish]

I just did it with the ready mix this summer. I thought it wasnt a problem. it will take 2 trips to the store. they will put the pallets of mix in your truck (i did 2 trips becasue i did not want to push the weight limit). renting a mixer is a must! it will take you too long to work the mix together for all the cement and some will be drying before you finish. prep work takes the longest, so do this before you rent the mixer. when you finish, keep it covered with plastic for 7-10 days before you use it. i think i did it for about $200

[MuleShack]

I definately would not use the footing mix bags. They set up too fast. Get the portland mix and bulk sand and rock mix and rent the mixer.

I would still be leary of unevenness and portions drying before you had the area filled and leveled. You would need a few helpers to keep the poured stuff from setting up while the new stuff gets added.

Look into what it costs to have the good stuff delivered and evaluate that against how much time you are going to spend mixing and hauling. most likely the stuff that will be delivered will be better quality than the stuff you mix because of the additives they can put into it.

If you have no experience with concrete, then I would suggest having it delivered and you can make it level while it is all still wet.

Just a suggestion.

[crothmeier]

i just did mine along with a chunk of sidewalk. delivered in the concrete truck, 2.25 yards for $216.

no bags, no dusty mess, no sore arms from mixing, no running around!

[Phred52]

weld1, The typical bag of 'premixed' weighs 80#. That comes out to 3/5 (.6) of a cubic foot, roughly a little over 2 square feet at 3" thick. For a pad that's 8'x10', at 3" thick that'll be ~35 bags (using 80# bags). I'd recommend having 40+ bags on hand as they aren't always 80# bags. It's a do-able job, but I'd suggest having a bunch of muscle on hand, 'cause if you're short handed, you're gonna be sore in the morning. Keep in mind, after that's all mixed and poured, it needs to be struck off, bull floated, hand floated and edged. Wouldn't hurt to put in a joint about 1/2 way (5') through too. One more thing, If it's gonna be exposed to freezing and thawing temps, the cement should be 'air entrained' to withstand the elements. To a Good "Pour"!, Phred52

[weld1]

Thanks for the info guys, i might try and do a driveway turn around also to make the cement truck trip worth it, if i could find a deal like crothmeier got i would do it for sure!! thats cheap! called the big outfit in town 134 per yard, 80 delivery for less than 6yards, 37 enviromental fee then add tax!!

[Scott K]

I usually figure if you take the bag of cement and lay it down, it will cover about the area the bag covers, or just a tad more.

[crothmeier]

$134 a yard? ouch!! i was at $86 a yard for i think 4000#.

[shizzy]

did you ask them if they can knock a few bucks off if you are paying cash? This sometimes works in this economy.....

[jeffreyd]

Not sure where you live but here in Phx, we have companies that will bring a truck to your house and mix it right there. If there is access, they can belt it about 50 foot or so. I thought about doing this for a walk into my back yard. A mixer is the only way to go, you will be a beat pup after hauling all those bags if you do it yourself. good luck. i will be out of town that weekend you are doing this by the way.