How to Frame a Concrete Slab
Concrete slabs are basic foundation stuctures for patios and buildings. Proper preparation of the ground and proper framing creates a solid platform for what it will be supporting. A building's foundation supports more than the walls; it also is the focal point for plumbing, heating, electrical and all other components.
Materials:
- Shovel
- Wood stakes
- Hammer
- 2-by-6 boards
- Tape measure
- Mason's line
Procedure:
- Read and understand the blueprints, permit drawings or architect plans of the project.
- Verify the property line by locating the surveyer's stake.
- Comparing the physical location with the plans, measure the distance from the edge of the property to the edge of the new building.
- Determine the location of the starting stake.
- Drive in the first stake.
- Walk the perimeter using a tape measure of project according to the permit drawings.
- When you reach the corner of the building according to the plans, drive in another stake.
- Mark the remaining corners with the stakes.
- Mark off the perimeter with the mason line.
- Dig out the center of ground about two inches deep. Set fill dirt aside to be used later.
- Take your tape measure and mark off the diagonal corners.
- Adjust the one stake only until the foundation is even.
- Drive stakes just two inches outside the first stakes.
- Mark off with the mason's line. This gives you a true corners on the inside of the outer boundry.
- Place your 2-by-6 boards inside the first boundary. The boards end with the ends of the markers and start with the new side of the foundation. Cut the boards to fit if necessary.
- Insert a stake into the ground every six feet. Allow four to six inches above ground.
- Place each board so it is standing next to the stakes.
- Starting from the corner, nail the bottom of the board to the stake.
- Place the ends of the boards against each other, sealing any gaps so the cement won't weep through.
- Remeasure the diagonal measurements to verify the foundation is even. If diagonal is off, move one board corner until the frame is square. Verify all sides are straight.
- Place a stake every 15 inches outside the boards.
- Nail the boards to these stakes using a top, middle and bottom nail.
- Support the sides with fill dirt.