Concrete slab question

[JMT]

Re: Concrete slab question

I needed to build a base slab to extend existing patio. Under neath I layed 3 courses of solid red bricks to support the finished oven and base above.
In fill with recycled material, crushed bricks, road base etc.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Concrete slab question

Hey FX
Thats great you can be buiding the oven sooner, and glad to hear the giant bathtub is gone...
Good Luck
Mark

[fxpose]

Re: Concrete slab question

Is it too late to run a water supply line/electric under the cement so you can put a sink or hose lights etc,,, close to the oven ?? or have you thought of that already ??

Water supply is very close and I can still run a straight 20ft line to the foundation area as I have not slabbed that whole area yet. Besides, I could use another garden faucet in that area.
I already have electrical lines that were part of the lighting for the old wood deck I demolished so I will definitely reroute those lines and place a junction box near the oven.

I was originally looking at months from now before getting to lay the foundation but now with this new location I'm looking at just a few weeks from now. I am really jazzed about that...

Meanwhile, the large area which I originally needed to fill is almost filled (with dirt and tub parts) and compacted and I'll be pouring that whole area in 3 separate sections/pourings in the next few days.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Concrete slab question

Is it too late to run a water supply line/electric under the cement so you can put a sink or hose lights etc,,, close to the oven ?? or have you thought of that already ??

[fxpose]

Re: Concrete slab question

is the wood from the deck pressure treated ? will you be able to burn it in the oven after it is done ?

Looks like a great spot for an oven...

I think it's a great spot for the oven. It'll be on higher ground so I don't have to elevate the foundation as high as the other spot I had in mind.
The oven will be closer to the kitchen but still be 100ft away which is as close as I can get the oven located. There is a closer spot but not very practical as it will be further up and away from the main patio area.

Most of the scrap wood are not treated, most are douglas fir, and some redwood. If I can use them in the oven I'll certainly save some as I've been chopping them down to smaller pieces and disposing them slowly. Plus, I already had the city pick up about 50 bundles a couple of weeks ago.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Concrete slab question

hey f,
is the wood from the deck pressure treated ? will you be able to burn it in the oven after it is done ?

Looks like a great spot for an oven...

cheers
mark

[fxpose]

I Think I Found A Spot For My Oven

The new spot for my oven is a bit closer to the house (and to the kitchen) from the original spot I had planned to build which would have required the oven foundation to be placed about 10 feet above sloping ground to which I wasn't too thrilled about. This was originally due to the fact that we were in the process of splitting up the lot and gifting the empty lot to my daughter so she can build a house on it. But since we are no long going through with this I decided to go ahead a pick a spot for my oven in the empty lot across the 'imaginary' property line. Originally, I wanted to keep the oven on my side of this property line which meant further down the hillside for the oven.

I would like to lay the oven foundation on the immediate right side of the palm tree over the old existing block wall which was part of the demolished wooden deck. The stand floor will be elevated to the height of the higher wall, same elevation as with the main patio. This will also place the oven about 20' away from the house.
I will build a square block wall enclosure using the existing wall as the fourth wall, fill it, and pour foundation for the oven stand.
I will leave the 30ft palm tree there for now, but may bring it down later if I see a fire hazard. These palm trees grow around here like weeds.



looking down from the living room balcony

[fxpose]

Re: Concrete slab question

Wiley, thank you for that info. In fact, I plan on stuccoing the dome as finish, but that could be several months from now. These 94lb bags of plastic cement are cheap (under $8) if I needed to get more of them. But I had already planned on using surface bonding cement (SBC) for this purpose.
But in the meantime I might as well use up these open/torn bags of plastic cement I have on hand before they absorb too much moisture and turn solid.

[Wiley]

Re: Concrete slab question

Actually, the plastic cement is better for resistance to water/weather exposure than regular portland cement. We used to use it in the boatyard on larger older wooden fishing boats to pay seams after caulking. Once we couldn't ran out and the management told us to use regular portland with added lime instead. And for our efforts we got to redo the job the following year (at the yard's expense). The area where we used the amended portland just didn't hold up, cracking in short lengths and as it didn't stick as well to the sides of the seam, in many places had fallen out.

If you are planning on a stuccoed dome I would think you might consider holding off and saving it for that use. That is, if there is much in the way of difference in price. What is the price difference in your area between the two?

Bests,
Wiley

[fxpose]

Re: Concrete slab question

Hye F,
Just found this To me it sounds like you have regular portland with lime added,, I think your answer is yes, the only problem it mat set very quickly ?? Not sure but why dont you mix up a bag with agg and see how it works out..

Thank you Mark. Yes, I mixed a batch and poured a small area which will eventually be buried. It turned out like ordinary concrete. But just to be sure I'll use this only for footings and to fill cores.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Concrete slab question

Hye F,
Just found this

Plastic cement is a type of Portland cement with the addition of a plasticizing material ( limestone or hydrated lime ), as well as other materials to reduce setting time and facilitate workability (see superplasticizer ). Plastic cement is used primarily for spreading onto walls to make exterior stucco , as Portland cement (used primarily for concrete) would have poor spreadability. In this usage, the term "plastic" does not refer to the addition of an organic polymer. Rather, it refers to the addition of a substance to increase the workability of the mixture.

To me it sounds like you have regular portland with lime added,, I think your answer is yes, the only problem it mat set very quickly ?? Not sure but why dont you mix up a bag with agg and see how it works out..

Mark

INEX: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Portland cement)

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Concrete slab question

Hey F,
Tried looking all over for this answer.. Today I am going to try and get a hold of a mason I know and see If i can get an opinion from him..... My thoughts:::: maybe you could use it as the base for some of your bigger/deeper pours.. I will post when I get home from work if i made contact today....
Mark

[fxpose]

Re: Concrete slab question

Hello!

I have on hand several bags of Portland Cement and Plastic Cement, over 500 lbs of each.
Can I add aggregate to Plastic Cement to make concrete mix?

This is what I have:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xhc/R-100317737/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

EDIT: I mixed a small batch. It's hard and looks like concrete.

[Archena]

Re: Concrete slab question

Ah, I see. Hope you manage to find one soon!

[fxpose]

Re: Concrete slab question

Okay, dumb question - how are you having trouble finding a trailer in LA? Don't y'all have a Trailer World or Lowes? What about an auction yard?

I confuse easily...

I'm trying to pick one up used and have been checking Craigslist. A 40x50 inch deck with 12" tires would be ideal.
I checked with Lowe's but none carry trailers here in this region. I can order new from an on-line trailer dealer if need be and pick up at a local warehouse to save on shipping. I'll find one eventually...