Add & Compact Basecourse

What happens in this clip

Pour the basecourse material (such as gravel or crushed rock) into the excavated area, spreading it evenly with a rake. Aim for a depth of approximately 75 millimeters. Once spread, use a compactor (which can be hired from a tool rental store) to thoroughly compact the basecourse. This creates a solid and stable foundation for your concrete pad, preventing future settling and cracking.

Goal: Create a compacted base for the concrete pad

What's used

Tools

• Basecourse
• Crushed rock
• Compactor
• Rake
• Wheelbarrow Greens

About the full video

This DIY project guides you through the process of laying a concrete pad suitable for a garden shed. It covers everything from site selection and preparing the area by digging and leveling, to constructing the timber boxing, adding base layers of gravel and sand, installing a moisture barrier and mesh reinforcement, mixing and pouring concrete, and finally finishing and curing the slab. A key feature is the inclusion of a rebate for the shed walls to slot into.

Step 3 of 10: Add and Compact Gravel Base

Pour approximately 4 inches of gravel into the excavated area within the formwork. Use a hand tamper or a piece of scrap lumber to firmly compact the gravel. This layer will provide drainage and prevent frost heave, ensuring the longevity of the concrete pad.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Pour a Concrete Landing Pad for Deck Stairs

1. Step 1: Excavate Area

   • 13:17–15:33 Prepare Stair Base and Pour Concrete Pad
   • 0:04–0:15 Site Preparation and Trench Digging
   • 4:20–8:36 Prepare & Pour Concrete Pad

2. Step 2: Install Formwork

   • 2:04–2:33 Build and Position Concrete Form
   • 0:33–0:47 Formwork Installation
   • 0:00–0:34 Lay Out and Assemble Initial Form Boards

3. Step 3: Add and Compact Gravel Base

   • 2:21–2:33 Add & Compact Basecourse (this video)
   • 3:15–4:05 Lay and Compact Gravel Base
   • 0:20–0:38 Prepare Gravel Base

4. Step 4: Place Rebar or Wire Mesh

   • 2:45–3:06 Add Steel Reinforcement (Rebar)
   • 1:30–1:40 Add Wire Mesh Reinforcement
   • 5:41–6:46 Rebar Placement for Reinforcement

5. Step 5: Mix and Pour Concrete

   • 0:30–0:42 Pour and Level Concrete
   • 3:10–3:41 Pour and Screed Concrete
   • 1:58–2:31 Mix and Pour Concrete

6. Step 6: Screed the Concrete

   • 0:04–0:13 Screed the Concrete
   • 0:24–1:01 Screed the Concrete Surface
   • 0:17–0:45 Screed the Concrete Surface

7. Step 7: Float the Concrete

   • 0:16–0:25 Float the Concrete Surface
   • 0:44–0:46 Hand Float Concrete Surface
   • 1:15–1:29 Float Concrete

8. Step 8: Finish the Concrete

   • 0:07–0:11 Trowel for Smooth Concrete Finish
   • 10:04–11:22 Final Troweling and Finishing
   • 3:30–4:49 Concrete Floating and Troweling

9. Step 9: Cure the Concrete

   • 2:08–2:39 Cure Concrete
   • 0:57–0:59 Cure Concrete and Remove Forms
   • 5:50–6:12 Cure the Concrete

10. Step 10: Remove Formwork

    • 8:43–10:04 Remove Form and Backfill
    • 4:03–4:08 Remove Formwork
    • 0:52–0:54 Remove Formwork