Mixing and laying concrete - DIY work rate ?

WobblyDog

I'm considering installing a concrete floor in a small horse stable, that currently has an earth floor, in order to make mucking out easier. It's about 6m x 3m and I think 15cm of depth would be required, giving a concrete volume of around 3 cubic metres.

I guess the sensible way to do it would be to get ready-mixed concrete delivered, and probably have it done professionally, but I'm curious about how long it would take me if I bought a cement mixer and did it by hand. The cement mixer and the raw materials would be right next to the stable.

Does anyone have a rough figure for how much concrete a reasonably fit DIYer could mix and lay in a day, assuming a cement mixer is available?

WillCalderwood

I suspect you'd find at the cost you'd be buying bags of cement and sand, and the cost of the mixer + the effort involved you may as well get readymix. You're probably looking at £300-400 for readymix.

You'll need to make sure the ground underneath is well compacted. A 100mm slab would be fine. You'll find the hardest bit will be the levelling.

These guys have small mixers and will do you an online quote. Their prices are competitive.
http://www.concrete2you.com/

lemontart

Looking at this myself - ready mix is around 85 per sq metre, plus you need to dig down a bit lay some hardcore, compact that, then you can start laying the concrete then you have to level it. a lot of hard work. Leveling is really a two person job for this size.

Currently clearing the area I want to do but is slow going as need to rest after an hour for good 2/3 hrs.

No really cheap option much speed and no mixing being advantage with ready mix. but you will still have to barrow it your self to where it is to be laid.

WillCalderwood

lemontart wrote: »

you need to dig down a bit lay some hardcore

Hardcore is not a requirement, it depends on the ground. If you have firm sandy soil then I wouldn't worry about the hardcore, just compact that.

You'll want to make sure you dig out all the top soil. You should also lay a DPM to prevent the concrete reacting with contaminants in the ground & help prevent anything germinating from finding a crack in the concrete to push up through.

Obviously you'll want sand between the hardcore and the DPM to prevent the hardcore from puncturing the DPM.

Stooby2

WobblyDog wrote:

Does anyone have a rough figure for how much concrete a reasonably fit DIYer could mix and lay in a day, assuming a cement mixer is available?

Myself and two mates once laid a slab for a garage about the same size as yours - it took us all day and we were knackered at the end of it. That was one person at the mixer, one barrowing, one laying. We're all reasonably fit too. However it cost us at least half what it would have cost to get a company in.

If you do get a company one that mixes off the lorry can be better value as you only pay for what they mix.

Hintza

WobblyDog wrote: »

I'm considering installing a concrete floor in a small horse stable

This will make levelling tricky.

We used ready mix (lorry mixed on site) last year for a 17 x 3.6m base with a vibrating bar on an open slab and it is still like the wavy navy.

Inside the constraints of 4 walls..........:eek:

Have it plenty wet and you might have a chance, but you will need at least 3 people (as has been said). If the ground is good 100mm depth will be enough for a small stable. We only used 100mm deep with 4 x 2 to enclose it, but we were on to rock which we levelled flat with the digger.

MX5huggy

I can't find a reference beyond some BS spec numbers but something in my mind reminds me you need special concrete (an additive in the mix probably) to stop it rotting (falling apart) due to the urine from the horses.

WillCalderwood

MX5huggy wrote: »

I can't find a reference beyond some BS spec numbers but something in my mind reminds me you need special concrete (an additive in the mix probably) to stop it rotting (falling apart) due to the urine from the horses.

I'm suspecting you're right. I noticed when I had a quick look at the site I posted previously they have an option 'Livestock Housing'.

I'm no expert on agricultural concrete however.

Having said that, I know sulphates degrade concrete, and I'm pretty certain urine will contain sulphates.

akamustang

Thought I would be safe reading this thread whilst eating my lunch, did not expect topic of conversation to about horse urine. :rotfl:

keystone

Concrete can become extremely slippery when wet especially for shod horses and therefore dangerous for them so you would have to put something down on top anyway. Rubber matting directly onto the compacted earth or over a well rammed layer of scalpings topped with sand would probably be a better bet.

Also be careful that if your stable is not already classified as a permanent structure then pouring a solid floor would make it so and therefore planning permission may be required.

Cheers