Lay Out and Assemble Initial Form Boards

What happens in this clip

The project starts with laying out the initial form boards on the prepared gravel base. For a 12x8 foot concrete pad, two 12-foot boards are placed parallel, and a 10-foot board (or a cut-down 12-foot board) is used to connect one end, forming an 'L' shape or a partial box. The boards are screwed together at the corner to create a stable starting point. Ensuring accurate dimensions at this stage is crucial for the overall success of the project.

Goal: Begin by laying out the wooden boards for the concrete pad's perimeter and assembling the first corner to establish the basic shape and dimensions.

What's used

Tools

• Cordless Drill
• Wood Screws
• Wooden Boards (2x6 or 2x8)

About the full video

This video provides detailed instructions on how to prepare a site for a small concrete pad, including forming the perimeter with lumber, establishing accurate height and squareness using surveying tools and mathematical calculations, reinforcing the forms with stakes and specialized clamps, and finally installing wire mesh as concrete reinforcement before the pour.

Step 2 of 10: Install Formwork

Cut two pieces of 2x6 lumber to 3 feet in length and two pieces to 2 feet in length. Assemble these pieces into a rectangular frame using screws, ensuring the corners are square. This frame will serve as the mold for the concrete, and its interior dimensions should match the desired final size of the landing 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 (this video)

3. Step 3: Add and Compact Gravel Base

   • 2:21–2:33 Add & Compact Basecourse
   • 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