Prepare Gravel Base

What happens in this clip

Place a 3 to 4-inch layer of Quikrete All-Purpose Gravel into the leveled forms. Spread the gravel evenly across the entire area. Once spread, use a tamper to thoroughly compact the gravel base. A solid sub-base is crucial for preventing erosion and slab settling. After compaction, lightly dampen the gravel with a fine mist from a garden hose. This dampening helps prevent shrinkage cracks in the concrete, especially in hot weather.

Goal: Create a solid, compacted gravel sub-base

What's used

Tools

• Garden Hose
• Tamper

Materials

• Quikrete All-Purpose Gravel Quikrete
• Washed aggregate
• Water

About the full video

This project provides a detailed guide on how to pour and finish concrete slabs for various outdoor applications like sidewalks, patios, or floors. It covers essential steps from preparing the sub-base and setting up forms, to pouring, leveling, floating, broom finishing, cutting control joints, edging, and finally, proper curing techniques to ensure a durable and aesthetically pleasing concrete surface.

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
   • 3:15–4:05 Lay and Compact Gravel Base
   • 0:20–0:38 Prepare Gravel Base (this video)

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