Concrete floor help!

Willman · Mar 9, 2005

I am looking to pour a concrete floor in my existing 24" x 40" pole barn.
I was thinking of a 5 - 6 inch slab.
I will need to dig out so as to keep the existing door opening height.
These are my questions:
1. How thick should the stone subbase be?
2. Should I just pour up to the outside wall poles leaving a space between the slab and outside steel walls?
3. Should I put a drain in the floor somewhere in the middle?
Thanks for any input you may have.

cmhyland · Mar 9, 2005

Willman,

I just had a little barn built. The slab was poured between 6 and 8 inches thick. I have no drains so it is sloped to the door.

I'd say you would need 4 to 6 inches of gravel below the slab since your not in a foundation. How high is the watertable in that area? Do you need curtain drains under the floor?

If you poured up to the siding would you put a form on the outside?

Regards,
Chris

GerardC · Mar 9, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 3. Should I put a drain in the floor somewhere in the middle?)</font>

As long as the inspector isn't involved, you may get away with it. There are environmental issues with garage floor drains. Gerard

tc18ny · Mar 9, 2005

1. How thick should the stone subbase be?
I put down about 12 inches of mixed stone, tamped at about 6 inches and again on top.

2. Should I just pour up to the outside wall poles leaving a space between the slab and outside steel walls?
I poured right against my bottom girder, but mine is wood. I don't know about a steel building.

3. Should I put a drain in the floor somewhere in the middle?
It is nice to have floor drains, but if your local building inspector is involved, he would like to have a chat with you about where they drain to. I know towns in my area are begining to get very strict with any kind of drainage.

Good luck with the pour. If your going to run a power float, be prepared to take it easy the next couple of days. Your body will be sore.

Dave

1962 · Mar 9, 2005

4" sub-base should be fine for your climate. the floor drain issue is that is would not be connected to any city sewer system. in case there is a hazardous spill in the building. check with your local codes to be sure. put some plastic 6 mil down on the sub base and your steel mesh unless your using fiber reinforced mix..