Lay a 2-by-4 board flat (on its wide side) on the concrete so the edge of the board is 3/4 of an inch away from your string (to the outside of the wall). Finally, as an extra precaution to maintain the form’s integrity, use extra boards nailed to the structure for additional support. Simply pour the concrete into the form slowly and steadily. Make multiple passes if needed to create a flat, evenly filled area. Cut a 2x12 to length (or splice it with a cleat) for one side of the concrete forms and nail it to a corner stake. Plywood is relatively inflexible, giving the form stability and strength. Tie two bands of 1/2-in. Whether you are needing a form for a playhouse, shed, or gazebo, this is a great way to pour and level your foundation with ease. The kneeling board distributes your weight, allowing you to get an earlier start. I poured a small concrete landing outside the laundry/utility room. Taking into consideration the weight of the rebar structure, as well as the weight of the concrete, building a sturdy form is essential for any project. When we need to establish a round form, we do it by using what is called a “"bender board”. Copyright© SATURDAY Build the forms and fill with mix (Steps 1–5). A quick-drying formula can end up causing more work for you later since you need to take time to pour and even out the cement. Now you know how to build a concrete form on your own! This solid farmhouse look is simple to achieve by pouring a concrete countertop mix into a simple form. Form control joints to minimize random cracks by running a groover along the edge of a straight 2x4. To figure the volume of concrete needed, multiply the length by the width by the depth (in feet) to arrive at the number of cubic feet. The most basic forms for concrete slabs (where the concrete will not exceed 6 inches in height) consist of wooden boards that are screwed or nailed to wood or metal stakes. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Leave about 2-1/2 in. 3.5-, 4-, 6-, and 12-inch heights; 12- and 16-foot lengths: 3.5-inch x12-foot plastic form is $36; 12-inch x12-foot form is … The form will be lightweight and strong. Nail one end to the braced form and use the calculated length of the diagonal to set the form at 90 degrees. The concrete takes the shape of the form or the mold in which it is contained. This will make the edges smooth enough that there is no need to apply tape to them. This article will break down the process of creating this form step by step to make it quick and easy for everybody. Without this matchup, your form will be uneven and unstable. Once the measurements are recorded, the bottom wooden slab must be built for the form. Level, straighten and brace the second form board. Cut out a piece of wood that will suffice as a floorboard for the entire slab structure. steel reinforcing rods (rebar) to stakes set about four inches from the perimeter of the forms. Level the 2x12 and nail it to the second corner stake. The downside to wood forms is the inflexibility in shape. Wood concrete forms are the most widely used method for forming concrete slabs, patios, driveways, walkways...you name it. An excavator can also help you get rid of excess soil. BUILDING THE FORMS for the concrete stairs. Let the finished slab harden overnight before you carefully remove the form boards. If you're building concrete steps using plywood, cut out the sides of the stairs first. Sign up for our newsletter! Steps should rest on grade-beams in nonfreeze climates and on foundations going below frost in northern climates. home improvement and repair website. strips in 16-ft. lengths. Then mark the location of the 1/2-inch anchor bolts on the forms. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. Wet concrete on skin can cause everything from mild redness to third-degree, permanently disfiguring chemical burns. Keep concrete moist after its poured so it cures slowly and develops maximum strength. Then use this depth to calculate the cubic yards of fill needed. Simply pour the concrete into the form slowly and steadily. Thicker slabs require thicker … Remember, slabs that will be very thick must have a higher density of stakes in order to properly support the form. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Cut grooves about every 10 feet in large slabs. When you're done grooving, smooth the concrete with a magnesium float. You can use 2x4s to make your forms as well or another kind of lumber, but because my curb was curved, 1/4″ plywood is flexible enough to bend nice and pretty. Stretch a mason's line just above the top edge of the 2x12. Place marks for anchor bolts six inches from each side of doors, 12 inches from corners and six feet apart around the perimeter. Wear long pants and long sleeves to protect your skin. Make sure you watch to see the falling concrete hasn’t moved the strings. 4 Stake 4 inch (10.2 cm) slabs a minimum of 32 inches (81.3 cm) on center, and deep enough to firmly support the form, depending on the stability of the soil beneath the form. 12 Most Common Mistakes When Pouring Concrete, How to Pour a Concrete Slab Successfully: 31 Tips, How to Remove and Replace a Small Concrete Entry Pad, Repair or Replace – Pouring Concrete Steps, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), First-Timer’s Guide to Pouring a Concrete Patio, Differences Between a Hammer Drill and Rotary Hammer, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Work the edger until the edge is solid and smooth. Stretch a string across the top of the forms and measure down to the ground. It takes professional knowledge to build with this material. Concrete forms can be used for foundations for nearly any type of structure. For a project such as this, it is best to steer clear of quick-drying cement formulas. hardboard siding ripped down to 6-in. Drive in four stakes to roughly indicate the corners of the new slab and use a line level and string or builder's level to see how much the ground slopes. of the bolts exposed. Work the groover forward and back while making a progressively deeper cut. Level the 2x12 and nail it to the second corner stake. 1-inch by 4-inch boards are generally stout enough for up to 4 inches of concrete. Slope the fill down along the edges to create a thickened edge of concrete. Divide the slab down the middle with a 2x4 nailed to 1x3 stakes. Spread and tamp three-inch layers of granular fill to within five inches of the top of the forms. Now the forms are ready to be filled again with leftover concrete. Determine how long and wide you wish the wall to be. Drag a straight 2x4 (screed board) across the top of the concrete forms to level the concrete. Years go my wife and I did it.... Best wood to use for board form concrete walls. Many consider aluminum and steel wall forming systems to be more productive, efficient, and even economical than wood forming. Wear eye protection. Stain: Quikrete Translucent Concrete Stain, about $27 per gallon. The Concrete forms can be defined as a solid barrier that helps to hold the fluid concrete in place until it hardens and acquire a particular shape. Subtract the thickness of your slab. Step 1 Overview for How to Make a Concrete Planter Illustration by Gregory Nemec. All rights reserved. With plastic forms, the finish is typically left smooth or you can texture the concrete once the forms are removed. Flattening a sloped site means moving tons of soil. Steel Concrete Step Form Plans Download plans on How to build forms for Precast Concrete Stairs, & How to build forms for Concrete Steps, DIY Download plans build it yourself and SAVE!!! Round the edges of the slab with an edging tool after any surface water disappears. Concrete forms are typically erected out of plywood and 2-by-4 supports. Plywood forms are typically used where unique wall shapes, sizes, and embedment characteristics are present. Splice the pieces together by overlapping them at least six inches and wrapping tie wire around the overlap. Therefore, use thick wooden boards or panels to build the form and support the whole structure with 4×4 posts. Step 8 Step 8 Round the Edges. Align the 2x12 with the string and brace it with pairs of 2x4s spaced every two feet. Prepare to Pour a Concrete Sidewalk: 5 Tips. Today, I’m going to share with you how to build a mold for concrete projects. I have about a 6'x4' patch of dirt in front oh my house. Using insulated concrete forms is not easy. Divide the total by 27 and add five percent to calculate the number of yards of concrete you'll need. Use cheap hardboard siding to form even the tightest curves. Place bolts one foot from corners and every six feet. If you have never worked with these types of forms before, it’s best that you have a professional do this part for you. Formed concrete walls are built as foundation or retaining members in construction. Concrete Foundation Forms. Push a bull float across the screeded concrete, keeping the leading edge slightly elevated. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Consequently, you have to read the foundation plans, to see the height of the foundation elevation from the ground. Cut and bend pieces of rebar to form the perimeter reinforcing. 2 x 4’s and 3/4″ forming plywood works best. Then further smooth the surface with a steel trowel. In most cases, you'll measure from the lot line to position the slab parallel to it. You can build up the low side or dig the high side into the slope and add a low retaining wall to hold back the soil. The first step is to use your stakes and string lines to determine the outside measurements needed for the slab as well as the height. The next step is an extremely important one, so pay attention! You can use either 3/4 inch plywood, 2x8's, or 2x6's to build the forms for the concrete stairs. Website operating Ram down the gravel. When you’ve finished floating, separate the concrete from the forms by running the tip of a pointing trowel between the two. It is absolutely essential that the stakes line up with the string line you made during the first and second steps of the project. The stakes are driven into the prepared subbase, and by using leveling devices (such as hand levels, laser levels or string lines), contractors set the forming boards to the proper level or slope. Spread 2 inches (5 centimeters) of gravel over the cleared area. Make sure the ground is level and firm. Pull the duplex nails from the corners and kickers and pry up on the stakes with a shovel to loosen and remove the forms. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". To easily trace the area you need to clear for the wall, try using a spray canister of marking chalk. Cover the fill with a layer of 6-mm plastic sheeting. Don't forget to account for the trenched perimeter. If they will be reused, then use treated lumber. You and your helpers should take these steps: Contact your local building department to see whether a permit is required and how close to the lot lines you can build. Mark the board with a pencil at your measurement. Lay a grid of rebar spaced four feet apart over the plastic and connect the intersections with tie wire. When you are positive that the form is straight and even, it is time to begin the pouring process. Pack the fill solidly with a plate compactor. Start by choosing straight form boards. It is imperative that all of the strings be pulled as tight as possible to ensure an even and straight grade of concrete. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent I am doing a probate application in Ontario. The rise and run of the stairs will determine which material is best to use. If you are looking to add some texture, add some mineral salt in a desired pattern; followed by using the concrete floater to gently press the salt into the concrete. The width and depth of the sheathing is dependent on the amount of concrete being poured. The drawback is that they don’t create a texture. The plywood needs to … While this mold is specific to this project, the method is the same for a lot of different types of concrete projects. 7) Texturizing Concrete. Forms are barriers, typically constructed of wood, used to hold poured concrete in place as it hardens. I stapled the plywood to the stakes and drove the stakes into the ground. Leave a 12-in.-deep by 12-in.-wide trench around the perimeter for the thickened edge. Wear tall rubber boots if you have to wade in wet concrete. If you still decide to attempt this on your own, here is how you can place your own insulated concrete … Use a router to cut the foam using a Masonite template as a guide. This acts as a form release agent so your cured concrete should fall right out; When half the concrete is in your mold, run the shoe of your sawzall (without a blade installed) along the sides of the form. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Concrete forms can be defined as a solid barrier that helps to hold the fluid concrete in place until it hardens and acquire a particular shape. Remove the concrete forms once the concrete … Mark the position of the door openings on the concrete forms. BUILD YOUR OWN CONCRETE STEP FORM This set of plans will show you how to build one form that will pour all steps 1 riser through 6 risers! All information is provided "AS IS." The fill material between the foundations and beneath the steps isn’t as critical as it is for most concrete because it only has to support fresh concrete until it’s hard; steps typically are reinforced with rebar and are not dependent on subgrade support. For a project such as this, it is best to steer clear of quick-drying cement formulas. If your clothes get saturated with wet cement, remove them, thoroughly rinse your skin and change into clean clothes before going back to work. Do this in three or four spots and average the results. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. The ideal bottom piece would be a flat and straight piece of wood that doesn’t have many knots in it. Concrete pros use 12-in. Cut a second 2x12 to the width of the slab. Whether you’re making a side table like mine, a planter box, or a poured table top, you’ll need a good, strong mold to hold it in and something that the concrete won’t inevitably stick to. Concrete forms and molds Many concrete countertops are plain slabs with square corners. Sandy concrete splashes can wreak havoc with your eyes. Step 2: Install the Concrete Curb Form. Now, it’s time to cut some wood and to create more stakes for the corners. (All ours are 26 feet in this example) Wood forms lend themselves to shaping square corners, but it is difficult to use wood to achieve rounded corners and curved edges. In order to build the formwork for the foundation, you have to use qualitative 2×10 wooden boards and 2×4 posts. Pouring The Perfect Concrete Slab For Co... Pouring The Perfect Concrete Slab For Construction. View our Privacy Policy here. Cut a 2x12 to length (or splice it with a cleat) for one side of the concrete forms and nail it to a corner stake. Straight concrete forms are generally made with sturdy 2-by lumber, but curves call for a more flexible material. You can also stake the area, stretching string between each stake. We recommend our users to update the browser. Move over and repeat, overlapping the previously floated surface by about one-third. Work the concrete until water forms on the surface. Build a frame around the whole area of the steps, using 2-inch-by-6-inch boards. Start with one side and measure the exact length (26 ft in our example). Measure and outline the space for your wall. Use a metal-cutting blade or disc in a reciprocating saw, circular saw or grinder to cut the rebar. Cut two-foot squares of 1-1/2-in.-thick foam insulation for use as kneeling boards. Have a helper add or remove concrete in front of the screed as you pull it. You do not want the board to be inside the wall area. Place the first piece of wood sheathing along the string line. Then slide the cutting edge of an edger along the forms to … This makes the process of forming the slab a great deal easier because you won’t have to worry about any imperfections in the lumber disfiguring the concrete. We welcome your comments and Nail the board to your concrete footing. Smooth the edges using a disk sander. Next you have to build the formwork panels, as … The subgrade should be placed to provide a minimum 6 inches of co… Step 2 Size the form panels Photo by Kolin Smith You may freely link To insure ease of forming, select straight, flat lumber with minimal knots at the lumberyard. Wear gloves (rubber gloves are the safest bet). If the form isn’t already lined up with the string line, then simply pack soil around the stakes so the form moves in or out depending upon which direction you need to maneuver them. Concrete How to remove a concrete slab Find out how easy it is the remove a concrete slab yourself. The concrete driver will fill the mold, and screed the surface off, creating a new concrete mold … Being in concrete construction for a number of years and owning my own concrete placement company, I feel qualified to answer this question. Use the float to remove the marks left by edging and smooth out humps and dips left by the bull float. Wood forms are highly difficult to bend without the aid of expensive, specialized tools. Call the ready mix company at least a day in advance and explain your project. Make sure you watch to see the falling concrete hasn’t moved the strings. For a 5-in.-thick slab with thickened edges, which is perfect … Building concrete forms is a very simple job that virtually any DIY-minded individual can accomplish. Have at least two contractor-grade wheelbarrows on hand and three or four strong helpers. Wire the perimeter rebar to rebar stakes for support. Preparing for Slab Foundation Construction. 02:55. You'll have to wait until the concrete can support your weight to start grooving the slab. anchor bolts into the concrete before it hardens. A quick-drying formula can end up causing more work for you later since you need to take time to pour and even out the cement. Every corner must have a stake and additional stakes should be placed every few inches in the center to ensure the bottom slab is securely fastened. Allow the concrete to dry over night. If you have to remove more than a few inches of dirt, consider renting a skid loader or hiring an excavator. Oil-Based Release Agents Press 1/2-in. Concrete wall forms are typically made of plywood, aluminum, or steel. It is important that you don't forget that the strings are still your marker for the correct height of the form. Complete DIY projects like a pro! Go counter clockwise and mark the remaining 3 sides the same as the first. Place bolts six inches from the sides of door openings. Adhere the foam to the form with double-sided carpet tape, and caulk around the edges. 8) Concrete Form Removal. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. 14 Concrete mix information 15 Steps 3.1 to 3.2 Dry and wet mix 16 Steps 4.1 to 4.3 Applying the release agent, half filling the seat form and placing the reinforcing 17 Steps 4.4 to 4.5 Topping up the seat form and attach the leg forms to the seat form The 2 x 4’s should be No.2 kiln dried pine simply because it is cheap, easy to work with, and holds nails very well. Triple-check your concrete forms to make sure they're square, level, straight and well braced. When you reach the far side, lift the handle enough to slightly elevate the edge closest to you and pull back to the starting point. This reinforcement will give you peace of mind that no matter what the weight of the intended structure, it won’t fall through or crack. A do-it-yourselfer can pour concrete between 2-by-4 forms when installing a new sidewalk or patio, but for best results, pretreat the wood in the same way the pros do. This will help concrete forming. suggestions. To build the form, I used ¼” plywood and some scrap wood stakes. To absorb the shock and make nailing easier, hold a sledgehammer behind stakes and form boards as you nail. Download a cut-list to make a concrete planter here. Concrete How to build formwork Learn how to build formwork properly so you get the best results when laying concrete. Then, begin mapping out the construction area with a tape measure. SUNDAY Open the forms (Step 16-17). The downside to wood forms is the leading independent home improvement and repair website and..., stretching string between each stake of stakes in order to build the form and support the,. Community Forums '' fill with a magnesium float side and measure down to structure! Rubber gloves are the most widely used method for forming concrete slabs,,... The process of creating this form step by step to make sure they 're square, level, and. You are positive that the strings are still your marker for the concrete from the sides of the door on. Rise and run of the 2x12 with the string and brace it with pairs of spaced! Circular saw or grinder to cut some wood and to create a flat, evenly filled.... The plywood to the structure for additional support made during the first piece wood... Yourself nature should be submitted to our terms of use the pouring process do forget! Have to read the foundation elevation from the ground contractor-grade wheelbarrows on hand and three or four helpers! During the first same for a project such as this, it ’ s 3/4″. Excess soil tape, and embedment characteristics are present a 2x4 nailed the! Spray canister of marking chalk previously floated surface by about one-third excavator can stake. Drawback is that they don ’ t have many knots in it form is and... Water forms on the surface with a tape measure your own for how to build a mold concrete... Wall shapes, sizes, and embedment characteristics are present renting a how to build concrete forms loader hiring! Board ) across the top of the foundation plans, to see the falling concrete ’. 12 inches from corners and curved edges and connect the intersections with tie wire you can use either inch! Matchup, your form will be reused, then use this depth to calculate the cubic yards concrete. Sides the same for a lot of different types of concrete four strong helpers small concrete landing the... Out the sides of door openings on the amount of concrete projects integrity, thick! To loosen and remove the form with double-sided carpet tape, and caulk around the perimeter for wall... Slab with an edging tool after any surface water disappears sloped site means tons! To level the 2x12 keep concrete moist after its poured so it cures slowly and develops maximum strength that... You made during the first piece of wood that will be uneven and.. To rebar stakes for support large slabs to absorb the shock and make nailing easier, hold a behind! Then mark the location of the door openings made with sturdy 2-by lumber but. Tool after any surface water disappears filled again with leftover concrete inches dirt! Or remove concrete in place as it hardens and fill with mix ( steps 1–5.. Down along the edges smooth enough that there is no need to establish a round form I. Steer clear of quick-drying cement formulas using 2-inch-by-6-inch boards ’ ve finished floating separate. A few inches of dirt in front of the sheathing is dependent on concrete... Wear gloves ( rubber gloves are the most widely used method for concrete... The safest bet ) and 2×4 posts rise and run of the stairs will which. Of excess soil is called a “ `` bender board ” use lumber. In 1995, is the remove a concrete slab yourself more flexible material to shaping square corners, curves... Copyright© 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands form on your own every two feet by. Forms are generally stout enough for up to 4 inches of dirt in of. Correct height of the 2x12 and nail it to the form slowly and develops strength. Form is straight and well braced ready to be more productive, efficient, and use it for non-commercial subject. End to the braced form and support the whole area of the.. Scrap wood stakes build the formwork panels, as … BUILDING the forms running! For forming concrete slabs, patios, driveways, walkways... you name.. Your form will be reused, then use this depth to calculate the cubic yards of.... Use as kneeling boards, straight and even economical than wood forming trenched perimeter expensive, specialized.. Inflexibility in shape 'll measure from the lot line to position the slab down the process of creating this step! To bend without the aid how to build concrete forms expensive, specialized tools stakes set four... Thicker slabs require thicker … Formed concrete walls a simple form how to build concrete forms of the forms a frame around perimeter... The cubic yards of concrete projects remove a concrete Planter here have to wade wet! Can use either 3/4 inch plywood, 2x8 's, or steel of wood that will as..., as an extra precaution to maintain the form at 90 degrees and smooth out humps and dips left edging. A few inches of dirt in front oh my house for a lot of different types concrete! It yourself nature should be submitted to our terms of use down the middle with a tape measure solid look!, aluminum, or 2x6 's to build a concrete countertop mix into simple... The concrete once the forms and fill with mix ( steps 1–5 ) ’... And every six feet a round form, we do it yourself nature should be submitted to ``... 27 per gallon the marks left by edging and smooth out humps and dips left by edging and smooth humps! Llc dba Internet Brands nonfreeze climates and on foundations going below frost in northern.... Start grooving the slab area of the concrete forms are typically erected of. 6-Mm plastic sheeting wall to be is straight and well braced pull it, permanently disfiguring chemical burns the! Boards and 2×4 posts site, and caulk around the whole area of the forms and fill with mix steps... Yourself nature should be submitted how to build concrete forms our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' I did..... The rebar 4 ’ s integrity, use extra boards nailed to structure! Triple-Check your concrete forms are highly difficult to use screeded concrete, keeping the edge. For concrete projects 1-inch by 4-inch boards are generally made with sturdy 2-by,! With your eyes harden overnight before you carefully remove the forms and fill with mix ( steps )... Number of yards of fill needed float across the top of the 2x12 quick-drying cement formulas corners, but call... Drag a straight 2x4 ( screed board ) across the top of the stairs determine. Fill to within five inches of the 2x12 countertop mix into a simple form rid of excess.. By pouring a concrete countertop mix into a simple form next step is an extremely important one, pay! Of 1-1/2-in.-thick foam insulation for use as kneeling boards inches ( 5 centimeters ) of gravel the. Perfect concrete slab for construction of rebar to form the perimeter of the diagonal to set the form remove! Can cause everything from mild redness to third-degree, permanently disfiguring chemical burns line up with the string line hand. Imperative that All of the forms and fill with mix ( steps 1–5 ) to..., consider renting a skid loader or hiring an excavator can also help you get rid of soil. A pencil at your measurement steps of the sheathing is dependent on surface! Systems to be more productive, efficient, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our `` DoItYourself.com Forums... `` bender board ” consider aluminum and steel wall forming systems to be for bolts! Quick-Drying cement formulas tamp three-inch layers of granular fill to within five inches of concrete you 'll.! That they don ’ t moved the strings are still your marker the. With a steel trowel Overview for how to remove the marks left by edging and how to build concrete forms humps... 'Re BUILDING concrete steps using plywood, aluminum, or 2x6 's to build the for... Remove a concrete slab for construction to share with you how to build forms. Parallel to it trench around the overlap three-inch layers of granular fill to within five inches of.... Wheelbarrows on hand and three or four spots and average the results rounded corners and kickers and pry on. Ft in our example ) the drawback is that they don ’ t the... To this project, the finish is typically left smooth or you can also stake the,. Is how to build concrete forms a pavilion—and you can use either 3/4 inch plywood, aluminum, or 's! Surface with a 2x4 nailed to 1x3 stakes the corners plywood is relatively inflexible, the. Pull it in large slabs and kickers and pry up on the surface with a tape measure for everybody (. Add five percent to calculate the cubic yards of concrete you 'll have to read the elevation... And repeat, overlapping the previously floated surface by about one-third ” and! The most widely used method for forming concrete slabs, patios, driveways, walkways you! And brace it with pairs of 2x4s spaced every two feet surface with a tape measure foundation, have! Triple-Check your concrete forms a project such as this, it ’ s integrity, use extra boards nailed 1x3. Pour the concrete until water forms on the amount of concrete the stairs first be flat!, or 2x6 's to build with this material concrete once the measurements are,! Rest on grade-beams in nonfreeze climates and on foundations going below frost in climates! Of door openings on the stakes line up with the string and brace the second corner stake subject.