Pouring A Concrete Slab For A New Garage (30' x 24') Form & Pour

#pouringaconcreteslab #NewGarage #MikeDayConcrete
In this video I'm pouring a concrete slab for a new garage that's 30' x 24' x 6 inches thick. I'm going to show you how we form the slab with 2x6's, square the slab, and set the forms to grade using a self-leveling laser.
Once the forms are all set, we're pouring the concrete slab using 3000 psi concrete with fibermesh reinforcement. I also have wire mesh in the garage slab for reinforcement.
For more detailed instructions on forming, pouring, and troweling concrete slabs, check out my concrete slab course below or join The Concrete Underground where you'll learn all the skills and techniques I use working with concrete.
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[@alanbrothers6804]

Mike's instructional videos are the best! My wife and I watched them multiple times before pouring our first 10'x12' pads in our building. I couldn't have done it without the excellent instructions and detailed videos. Thanks for the awesome content!

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thank you!!

[@celso422]

The 94 dislike is from people who never finish a concrete job like pro and get jealous watching mike and his crew also the professional girl mag the concrete 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@mikelknight799]

Man, your daughter is a working machine.. She'd out work 99 % of the people in my area. You've got a good crew they always make it look easy.

[@nathancarranza9860]

Mike Day is the uncle I wish I would’ve had growing up.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Haha, thanks Nathan!

[@clarkh4130]

Mike Day.. The Concrete Teacher.. been watching for a while, he's a excellent

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thank you!

[@psidvicious]

For those people concerned about the lack of chairs under the wire, remember this: These ‘slab on grades’ (SOG) that they’re doing, have complete bearing on compacted soil. If this were an ‘elevated slab’, like a 2nd or 3rd floor etc, the requirement for the top and bottom rebar, are that they only be ¾” from the top of the slab and ¾” from the bottom (2 cm). The reinforcement is most effective the closer you can get it to the top or bottom surface. The course aggregate in the concrete just happens to be screened to ¾” (what a coincidence) so once some of the course agg gets under the wire, it can’t get all the way back down.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Nice explanation, thanks.

[@Btown605]

For this type of slab why wouldn’t you want the reinforcement in the bottom 1/3 of the slab?

[@psidvicious]

@@Btown605 That’s exactly where it is. A sketch would be helpful to explain the forces going on, but imagine a wooden beam. Draw a vertical row of 3 dots on the face of the beam. One dot ¾” from the top, one ¾” from the bottom and one in the middle. Then one inch horizontally away from those dots, draw 3 more dots spaced exactly the same. Then apply a downward force right between the rows. You would find the top 2 dots get closer together (compression) and the bottom 2 dots spread further apart (tension). These are the same 2 forces that will be applied to this concrete slab. Concrete does very well under compression by itself, so no top reinforcing is required. Concretes Achilles heel is tension, so that’s why the reinforcing is installed at the bottom. Getting back to the beam, you would also notice that the spread between the 2 middle dots stays stationary. Proving that the middle is under neither tension nor compression. That is why engineers never mind holes being drilled thru the middle (to an extent, of course) of beams, joists or slabs. That’s also why you’ll never find very much steel in the middle of a concrete beam or slab. It’s all concentrated at the top and bottom bcz that’s where all the forces are happening. Reinforcing in the middle of a beam or a slab is useless.

[@khavafis]

@@psidvicious That clears all my doubts, thank you very much.

[@skbhopps]

i owned a concrete company in south jersey for 25 years about and mike is spot on with the concrete

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thanks Devin!

[@marlinweekley51]

I was about to ask about the anchor bolts when you mentioned them right at the end. You guys are clearly professional grade. Seen other videos that seemingly know nothing about anchor bolts! The foundation guys gotta have a set of prints. One thing thats apparently not as common any more is setting a course of block around the perimeter to build off of- keeps the plate completely away from any water or shop fluids, etc. Great job - nice crew 👍

[@alphaomega3173]

What a gravy job man! Looks great. I do commercial jobs and they can be so much work. This looks like a walk in the park for you guys! As some guys say... "Easy Money!". Great video Mike. Keep them coming.

[@patrickthompson389]

Great content, keep it up. Could you add a time stamp to various stages of the pour in future videos, so the working times can be established? Thanks for the education, much appreciated.

[@michaelfahim5878]

Love your videos been following you for about five months now, I'll be doing my own slab soon. keep up the great work, the pride and attention to detail are top-notch.

[@mikerandazzio2991]

Going to try pouring a garage slab so I can work at home. Disabled gaining weight working on cars will get weight down for knee replacement

[@butthole3563]

I do alot of flat work in AZ for dairys and farms. Its cool to see how other folks go about pouring. I learn a lot. I Like the channel alot! keep up the great work!

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thank you!

[@hray2797]

I used to pour a lot of flatwork in AZ for del Webb sun city , they tamp all of the concrete out there , very unusual when I first got there, not sure of any benefits.....

[@Austinculver2001]

Hey mike! I have watched countless of your videos and what I haven’t seen is on the power trowel, knowing to start out with the blades pitched or flat and what to look for to know when to change the pitch. I have poured a couple pads and have fiddled with the pitch a little but am not experienced enough to know what I’m looking for when I do it. Thanks for all your wisdom!

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Glad to help!

[@Matt1poontang]

Crank em up when she gets hard ...lower when its soft lol

[@kevinrumsey1917]

Yes in a 24 x 47 Slap for back yard garage shop storage Area. Three car Garage bay doors. From yard porch 10 CEO slab. Drive ways 10 CEO on 2 and walk ways 4x20 and 3 x 20

[@vincentimpriano1020]

Nice job Great tutorial very helpful! me and my two sons are going to try and pour a 21 x 21 garage slab inside 8 inch cinderblock walls with expansion joint all the way around the perimeter. i’m having a little anxiety about it. if there’s any pointers, you can give me that would be a big help.! I think my biggest challenge is I only have the two garage doors entering the garage and a man door on the back of the garage at the end of the side wall! I have poured little sidewalks and a little pads, but nothing more than that, and so I thought I would reach out to a professional to get some good tips and directions on having a a successful pour Thank you, Vincent.

[@shanesubashe787]

Thanks for the video. More information about the gravel layer would be helpful.

[@hedglens]

I’m pretty handy. Watching videos to see if I can pour my own patio. 18x18 , thanks for the video.

[@Z-Bart]

You have a good crew Mike. Like a well oiled machine. 👍

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thanks!

[@bobducharme4809]

I notice you did not put plastic down before the concrete went in. What would plastic do if anything if you use it? I wish the guy I helped watched this video. We had to pump the concrete on a cold day( about 25 degrees in the morning) the tubes had ice in them clogging up the concrete it took an hour to finally get the tube free. We had many problems but in the end the concrete was setting at the end and difficult to trowel. The concrete had excelerator in it and I’m wondering what was our problem? The slab was 30’ x 20’. Your site was really neat, no crap getting in the way. Thank you for a great video. 👍👍👍

[@stevensepinski3655]

Love your videos. I have been pouring concrete in NYC for almost 20 years. Trying to get into stamped concrete.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thank you!

[@8IggiE8]

Hey bud thanks for making the video. I didn't see where they pulled up the wire mesh?🤔

[@russudvp]

Great instructions for beginners like me. Thank you

[@billygiaimo6995]

I was a cement contractor for 40 years & never seen a hotter babe finishing.Best of luck my friend.

[@pnp9200]

That screed machine looks so awesome it almost doesn't need bull float

[@image662]

I’ve made more than enough money from the knowledge you have shared the least I can do is subscribe to your monthly subscription!!

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Awesome, thank you!

[@staleykevin1]

Yes I plan on doing my own slabs man you are the best man.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thanks Kevin!

[@daydreamdesign]

we are doing our first slab this week!

[@hhagewood9222]

Awesome video thanks. QQ: New to this but wondering about the need for a footing. This looks to be a floating garage slab vs one with footing.

[@andrew5550]

Its surprising how old school it is back east..im assuming its east coast.I been a concrete contractor 42 yrs on the west coast 2 guys would pour this and one guy hand finish it...a lil small for a machine imo..hand rod with a 14' aluminum.I dont see any kickers on the forms either thats different.I worked on crews that had 100 finishers 10 ten man crews just one ten man crew was expected to have 17-20 homes poured a day 6 days a week.It was down to speed and science i dont miss it.We had many pours that were 900-1000 yards at once.Its kind of nice seeing how its done out there main thing is that there having fun.

[@donpotts9814]

Commercial Crete blows. Decorative concrete is where the money and fun is at

[@andrew5550]

@@donpotts9814 i did comercial as a kid..decorative the last 30 yrs

[@CopperTop24]

I enjoy your videos. I'm new to the concrete business and work for a major supplier in my area. I use your videos for my own personal training. Thank you!

[@1345mack]

Thank you for sharing, I am looking at doing a 27X42 slab that I can put a car port on, I maybe foolish but I was thinking of doing it my self with 80lb. bags

[@larrymilton3701]

Good job installing I have 17 years same work

[@bogey19018]

The rebar and wire should be about 2 inch above stone grade. Just like a concrete lintel, the rebar is closer to the bottom for compressive strength.

[@stephengordon8968]

You guys make it look easy !

[@robinarcuragi7691]

Yeah I'm going to pour my own pad. I had two contractors come out. One contractor wanted to charge me 15,000 just to pour a pad and then I had another guy come out and he wants to charge me $4,000 just to set the pad but I'm thinking I can do it myself. It's a 16x29. I've been watching your videos. I think I can do this myself

[@joelbaines1118]

When I come to America to visit my wife's family I'd love to do few days working with you. I'm from new Zealand/ Australia.

[@matthewduncan5274]

Looked Awesome!! Cool tools never seen power tools for concrete....

[@SexyBmoore]

Love your videos they're so in depth

[@jeffjoseph1997]

Great instructions for the do it yourselfer. Do you have a video explaining how to slope to a garage floor drain?

[@AK-hw9ij]

I’m new to your channel but I really love it so far! Great info man!

[@kevinrumsey1917]

Ramsey Construction Likes your job.

[@Elliot3743]

That Looks Great!

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thanks Shawn!

[@keviningles5580]

Love your videos you guys are pros I did not like the power screed.i strugeld with it i pulled it slow but had a lot of chatter marks.

[@a1lewis4]

Looks good! We start our 40x90 pad next week for my new shop

[@rachailjohnson6746]

Just by watching I'm looking to land a job

[@mtbikemike1]

Most excellent! Thank you!

[@aimeeallee9987]

Have you done a kennel? I’d love to see that! Thank you for sharing!

[@jasongarza3369]

Awesome! I do concrete work in south tx

[@jasongarza3369]

You guys do great work!!

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thanks Jason!

[@randersonxf]

Hey Mike, I appreciate your videos. Hypothetically would you take a job helping pour and form only? Just come for the day and help professionally pour, smooth, and finish? Thanks

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Ryan, we do that all the time for other foundation contractors.

[@williamsmith.1224]

To do a professional job spacers should be used to lift the mesh from the sub base,steel in contact with the sube base is not protected from attack from water and sulphates,any structural steel should have at least 2" concrete cover for protection.

[@lewismontgomery6710]

I’m going to do my own slab. 18wide by 27long.

[@ahmedaljumely5552]

Nice video! But you missed the part how you lead down the Metal wires ? Under the contract?

[@rickiecraig4473]

I'm going to pour a very small slab for my 36" grill, how can I incorporate a lip for a wheel stop? I have never done concrete work before.

[@csarmartez5175]

What a great share, MD - I'm readying to start a project just like this and your expertise is immensely appreciated. Any chance you can recommend slabbers in GA, TN, and FL, please feel free to recommend. It can be a tough landscape out there to find someone as meticulous as you and your team so, I like to do my research before hiring or even considering a DIY project like this. Good things to you & yours!

[@chipdayton1625]

Nice work Mike, but where are you that footings to the frost line aren't required?

[@rubencruz36]

Good job, Mike, I do concrete work here in Seattle wa, we do foundations slabs steps driveways and more

[@a.d.4127]

@Mike O’Connell I can tell you’re a miserable person by all your negative replies. I’ll pray for you.

[@darryldarryl2511]

yes i thinking of pouring a slab 30x30

[@danielmundell6151]

I notice that there are no footings. I know you are in Maine. I’m in Minnesota and I’m looking at doing a 42x48 slab and I’m looking into the footing types. The building is a super light versa tube building (5000 pounds) can I get away with a slab just like this one?

[@gary24752]

I am curious. If a jutterbug is not used the agregate will not be pushed down and I was wondering if this might cause spauling in the winter time when temperatures are below freezing.

[@kherrera2009]

I love that topcon laser my favorite so far 👍

[@MikeDayConcrete]

It is awesome isn't it Kevin.

[@alejandroruelas9574]

I'm planning on doing all the prep work and just hiring someone to float it around this size 24x30

[@Jcc0824]

Plan on adding onto my driveway. 30x40

[@jeffdeluca1153]

Is it not necessary to install a stone base under the slab for expansion? How does the soil not freeze and heave the slab? In Pa, a much warmer climate we are required to use stone base. I'm confused. Thx Mike

[@circusfactory]

Hi Mike, very nice and informative videos. Thanks so much! Question: I’m about to prepare a 40x40 feet slab ( under roof) in south Florida. It’s under a new home on stilts, in order to have a cleaner surface for my ground floor. The home has concrete stilts. Each of the stilts has its own concrete foundation below grade. There is about 2 feet of sand that was poured over the foundation. - My question is, can I pour my 4 in concrete directly onto the sand? Of course I’ll be using rebar for stability. - Also, should I divide the surface in several smaller sections, or can I pour it all at once? - Last question, is there any specific concrete if I want a polished final surface? Thanks for your input

[@Miniscapes515]

Best way to do a 24x24 slab with a small mixer and bag concrete? Cement truck access not possible...

[@paulmontgomery5135]

Yes I poured concrete when I was younger you know as a helper I've helped do walls and and slabs and sidewalks and I just can't remember do I need a special grade of cement for a garage which I'm going to park vehicles in for strength it's 4 in enough can you make 4 inch just as strong as our stronger than a 6 in and when you put your 6x6 steel wire mesh and instead of rebar do you put like a little spacer on it so it'll be like in the center of the cement when it's poured and not laying right on the ground it have more structural significance if about the center of the poor wouldn't it and can you just brush finish that slab you don't have to have it smooth and you sealer and do you need a moisture barrier I hope that's not too many questions please let me know something thank you thank you very much

[@iowamatt2519]

We have to pour rat footings for our garages, always use 2x12s so we can pour a stem wall at same time.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Every town is different here, depends on the code enforcement officer as to what we do or don't do.

[@rogerdaggett7452]

I live in upstate VT and pouring my own slab for my garage. Couple questions about our climate. 1. Do i need any type of frost protection? Also, is 4" too thin? Do i need to do 6"?

[@mikezahnow1605]

I just did a slab for a 12x24 and it didn't quite turn out as good as I wanted but given the fact that me and my kids did it I can live with the few flaws it has. At least its perfectly square and flat, fairly smooth and just a few flaws in it so I can live with that. Definitely not a professional job lol.

[@joshuamcguire4832]

You said your team doesn't do the foundation work. You come in after the fact and just lay the cement... Any reason why?

[@TheGnthreman]

Just had one poured exact size.

[@joeyparttridge9811]

Doing my own for a 24x30 metal shop.

[@michaelliberto8737]

Hey Mike I want to pour a slab this week

[@firinnamas]

When my 24x30 garage slab was poured 20 years ago, he dug a trench around the permitter and another down the center. He installed a re-bar cage in the trenches. Is this not necessary?

[@ironjohn5914]

I seen the best concrete worker in the world do the best concrete slab his name Steven Seagal yes he knows how to do that too...

[@Calmyourmind2020]

I am going to concreate a 15x15 garage floor. How do I get the ground ready to and level to concrete? Do I just dig up the ground? Do I use sand and gravel ?

[@skbhopps]

we used to throw a rock into the slab to see if it was ready and the first one to it got a beer

[@MikeDayConcrete]

We check that way when the floor is inside an 8' foundation wall.

[@chrismalone4491]

Same

[@KB3M]

Are there any regulations about building a garage slab over an existing sewer line running through the property. For instance adding a garage slab spanning the width of a back yard with the sewer line running out the back of an existing home out under the slab and garage.

[@ccnpseth4563]

Good Afternoon, I plan on pouring a concrete patio and i currently have a sand (fill dirt) base, do I need to pack the sand, add a gravel layer, and pack again to complete the base preparation?

[@georgetruman2238]

Why didn’t you use plastic under the rebar to keep the moisture out

[@reresist4836]

I notice you aren't using vapor barrier, is this not going to be inspected?

[@paulburgett7788]

@mikedayconcrete How do the guys know if they are doing a "good job" raking? What are they aiming to do? You mentioned that that part is the real hard work. Also, what's Darin looking for when he bull floats it? I think I'm going to order your course for garage slab, I have to do this exact size slab.

[@stevenhaskins1655]

i am thinking about doing my own slab size 32x20. how deep should the gravel be before you apply the concrete?

[@louf7178]

Just looking around. Good video. I do want to remark about sawed joints: I see this had been a trend in the past decades (especially of driveways), but I hate them - they chip, and its because of stress concentration at a sharp edge; corners (at intersecting cuts) chip even worse. Rounded edges last MUCH longer - the life of the slab - and stress concentration (reduction of) is the reason why.

[@1126214]

Learning a lot from this, How would i go about pouring a heated slab?

[@davepurtell6140]

thanks for video. leaving comments to help algo

[@jimbradford9313]

Hey Mike how do you do a 30 x70 pour half of it at a time

[@frankrossi5019]

Watching why are you not doing a beam around the perimeter or a X beam?

[@kingnuk385]

I’m doing my own slab learning off your videos I’ll ask questions if I need additional help

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Cool, thanks

[@frizellculley1238]

I’m going to try doing my backyard, but I want it look like flat rock pattern.

[@jdelapaz14]

Garages there dont need footings or inspections or maybe its just a canopy carport. Even then here in California we have to inspect everything. Garage slabs have to have stem walls and footings.

[@laxvideogeek]

I'm curious, this is a fairly large slab and it is for a detached garage so I'm curious why there are no footers? Although local codes will obviously vary, if you are building walls and a roof, why don't you need footers?

[@clown7292]

Can you do a garage like this in small pours like 8 * 7 4 inch thick?

[@donjustus1675]

Hey Mike, I noticed you guys pour slabs on whatever aggregate you got there on grade.....what about frost? What’s the base your pouring on?

[@Think_4_yourself_plz]

I'm trying to get a garage built in my backyard. Once I get the trees removed, what is considered to be optimal thickness, 4" or 6"? I'll be putting in one lift at a later date, and having a steel building installed over the slab. I'm going to prep everything, but want a solid thickness for longevity and support

[@Asherroc]

I have to pour a slab patio against a house, do I need to put board on the house to screed off of? How do I do this without leaving a board between the house and the porch?

[@robinarcuragi7691]

And those prices I gave you on this contractors that was with me buying the concrete that was just them sitting the pad

[@patmccarthy7506]

Fantastic ! from CLE

[@larrywilkens7428]

Love the video's. I'm doing a 30x30 pad parking area. But instead of one large pad I'm doing it in a grid pattern. Each square will be 7' square. I will be using rebar. Any other advise. Should I use expantion joint to go up against existing slab.

[@krazyj1957]

I had a 24X30 garage slab poured on 05/13/21. Highly recommended concrete guy. I was impressed with everything. They pulled stumps, leveled, put forms in, sub-base, and put plastic down before rebar, and poured a 6" slab and concrete at 4000psi. They said they didn't put expansion joints in because it wasn't big enough to need it. Just wanted your thoughts on expansion joints.