Acoma 42" Tuscan

[RTflorida]

I would recommend a dirt to concrete barrier in high moisture areas. 6 mil. poly (plastic) - sold in rolls at Lowes and Home Depot.
FL is extremely wet during the summer, no one pours a slab without a vapor barrier here...In theory, water could wick all the way up to the hearth; Although I don't think it actually would. I put down the barrier to keep the slab from wicking from the soil and the block from the slab; which would have made it to the slate and mortar that I used for facing my support stand - leading to the early demise of my handy work.

RT

[Acoma]

We don't have much moisture in the Sierra's. Humidity averages 5%. Some summer thunder clouds and showers, but mostly rains and snow fall through spring. Les is in the same climate area as me, and I likely will be passing up the barrier. Thank you very much RT for the information.

[Frances]

I always wondered what the barrier was for... I put one in just because it said you should. Well, it can get pretty wet here, so its just as well, but its nice to have that cleared up, thanks

[Acoma]

Well, I have completed the prepping of the foundation. Now I need to get concrete poured this week. The local concrete mixing guys want to charge $400, what a rip! I also need a few recruits to help with getting the cement to the site and poured.

[dusty]

That does sound a tad pricey. My pour took 1 yard. I Towed mine home in one of those hydrolic tilt trailers, concrete mixed and ready to pour. The cost was $118.50. I'm guessing that you may need more than one yard, but I think you may save money if you bring it to the job site yourself. You have to wheel barrow it back either way.

dusty

[biondoli]

That's very pricy!!!! I poured mine last Saturday 1/2 yard the track came and delivered for $120 and 1 yard would have been $150....if you are going to do yourself it is a very hard work! Good luck, ciao Carlo

[gjbingham]

Agreed. Too much money.
Check with the local rentals. Some provide a premix yard or so for somewhere around 130 bucks. I rented a mixer and did 3/4s of a yard for $55 rental and around 100 dollars for bagged concrete. You definitely will need a second person for about an hour to help screed the top.
George

[Acoma]

Listening to your prices, it sounds ludicrous but within your own ranges.
Mine is 2.75cu.yds. because of how I am building the oven. The foundation is 88" by 88" (allowing a 4" perimeter around blocks). This will be a well insulated oven. As for depth from foundation edge is 2 feet with 1 foot width. This goes all around for the footings. Internally, the area for logs, is 64 inches squared. All this calculated to just under 2.75, but a little extra is always smarter. In my area, you want to go 2 feet for those occasional winters where it gets extremely cold for long durations. I figure myself with two people should be good for getting concrete in place fairly quick, and time to smooth out top and edge. I would show a picture but I need to figure out why my camera's pictures a 1 pixel too many for FB. I will then show the foundation I am referencing.
this will not deter me from moving foreward, and building. I am more nervous about doing dome work into winter.

[asudavew]

Pick up a sand/gravel mix. Add Portland cement and water. Mix in a bucket and pour away!

Much cheaper! I saved more than 200 bucks.

I paid about 60 for material, the local company wanted almost 300!

You can do it !

[Acoma]

Dave, I will look at pricing and availability today. What scares me is how quickly it may set while I am mixing and pouring. If the scenario looks right today, then what the hay. I'm still young enough to suffer physical exhaustion. I will recover I will let you know if I go this route.