Concrete slab question General Building and Construction Discuss Concrete slab question in the General forums; I'm planning to use concrete backer board for my hearth form (it was recommended by someone else). Stays in place ...

[Archena]

I'm planning to use concrete backer board for my hearth form (it was recommended by someone else). Stays in place and no risk of rot.

[fxpose]

Thanks for all the replies!

I have several full sheets of salvaged plywood on hand so I am going to cut them out and use for the bottom forms.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

dont forget to leave an access hole so you can use it for a bomb/survival sherlter

[Archena]

I thought it was for wood storage? Who'd wanna survive WWIII w/o pizza?

[Neil2]

"I thought it was for wood storage?"

Wood storage and spider habitat.

[Archena]

Originally Posted by Neil2

Wood storage and spider habitat.

Um, isn't that redundant?

[fxpose]

I filled and compacted that small triangular area with dirt, layed some rebars, and poured concrete today. It took about nine-90 lb bags of concrete mix to fill that 16 sq/ft area 4-5 inches deep and used my new mixer for the first time. What a time saver, that little mixer mixed 3 bags at a time, and I was able to pour concrete directly from the mixer like a wheelbarrow.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

looks good......

[jmhepworth]

Like the mixer.

[fxpose]

Thanks, I'm glad I got that particular mixer. I can easily maneuver the thing even with almost 300 lbs of concrete in it.

I'm having serious second thoughts about suspending the slabs in the other two areas. A few people have advised me against doing this due to safety issues and also the added cost of materials, especially all the additional rebars required to reinforce the slabs if suspended.
Perhaps I should just order a truckload of fill and get this area over and done with so I can move on to next area.