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Concrete for bikes/bin storage

  • 20-09-2020 10:24am
    #1
    RebelButtMunch
    Registered Users Posts: 2,378 ✭✭✭


    Hi
    I've a 3mx3m area of garden hidden behind a shed that I want to cover with concrete. It's going to be for wheelie bins and bicycles.

    What kind of depth of hardcore and concrete do I need?

    Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    Calahonda52
    Registered Users Posts: 12,192 ✭✭✭✭Calahonda52


    whats the ground like?

    “I can’t pay my staff or mortgage with instagram likes”.



  • #3
    RebelButtMunch
    Registered Users Posts: 2,378 ✭✭✭RebelButtMunch


    Calahonda52 wrote: »
    whats the ground like?

    Compacted soil.


  • #4
    DublinDilbert
    Registered Users Posts: 5,365 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    around 80-100mm should do, 1 ton bag should cover the area. Are you going to mix the concrete yourself?


  • #5
    RebelButtMunch
    Registered Users Posts: 2,378 ✭✭✭RebelButtMunch


    DublinDilbert wrote: »
    around 80-100mm should do, 1 ton bag should cover the area. Are you going to mix the concrete yourself?

    Planning to, yes. I might rent a mixer, haven't looked into the cost of that yet though. Could it be cheaper to get a load delivered?


  • #6
    bobbyy gee
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,306 ✭✭✭bobbyy gee


    i would just put down some concrete pavers
    ir will be hidden by shed
    put something down to stop weeds coming up


    i would also cover the bikes
    as they will get rusty and you will stop using them


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  • #7
    RebelButtMunch
    Registered Users Posts: 2,378 ✭✭✭RebelButtMunch


    bobbyy gee wrote: »
    i would just put down some concrete pavers
    ir will be hidden by shed
    put something down to stop weeds coming up


    i would also cover the bikes
    as they will get rusty and you will stop using them

    Yeah, I was thinking about covering the bikes.
    To that end, before I put down any ground cover I was going to sink 3 or 4 wooden uprights to support a kind of lean-to structure. (Sorry, I should have mentioned that at the start)

    That's kinda why I was thinking of pouring the floor. I don't want to have to cut tiles around the support poles.


  • #8
    Lumen
    Registered Users Posts: 31,008 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    Because I don't enjoy digging deep holes I would just dig out the topsoil (which is useful elsewhere) and then pour a thick slab with reinforcing mesh (on chairs) using delivered concrete.

    Then bolt post supports (with standoffs) on to the concrete.

    Otherwise you're in for a load of digging and compacting and shovelling and mixing which is overkill for this application, and will leave you with a pile of useless subsoil to deal with.

    That said, if you find you've deep topsoil and the concrete is going to work out too expensive, just shove a load of angular stone in there and lazily compact it, as it'll be good for drainage.

    tldr: start digging and see what you're working with.


  • #9
    RebelButtMunch
    Registered Users Posts: 2,378 ✭✭✭RebelButtMunch


    I'd agree with you Lumen about the digging. I think I'll go with your plan and look at steel seat posts that can be fixed to the concrete before or after the pour for the lean-to shelter. Would that solution still be 80-100mm deep of digging ans mentioned by Dublindilbert?

    I also plan a side stretch of gravel for drainage.


  • #10
    Lumen
    Registered Users Posts: 31,008 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    RebelButtMunch wrote: »
    Would that solution still be 80-100mm deep of digging ans mentioned by Dublindilbert?

    Depends on your site. On mine the topsoil is 100-150mm deep. You'd want to remove that, not least because topsoil is valuable for growing things in and takes a long time for nature to make.

    You'll know when you get to the subsoil because it's a different colour and consistency. It looks kind of greasy and dead. That's the stuff you want to leave alone purely because it's stable enough and useless for growing anything in.


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