Using in portable pier inside observatoryPosted By dan kowall |
Mike,
Unless you go below the frost line any concrete will heave in the winter cold. Check with your local building contractors or inspector for the correct depth.
Some tips on pouring your own piers:
-Use a sonnotube or plywood form. You want your finished concrete to be smooth sided so that the heaving ground can't grab onto the concrete.
-Work the fresh concrete with a stick like you're churning butter (does anyone do that anymore?) to bring air bubbles to the surface.
-If you make your own plywood forms and you don't have any releasing agent on hand, brush the inside of the forms with any kind of oil. Used motor oil works well and I once used peanut oil that was starting to go rancid.
-The forms need to sit on undisturbed or compacted soil.
I hope this helps.
dan kowall
Unless you go below the frost line any concrete will heave in the winter cold. Check with your local building contractors or inspector for the correct depth.
Some tips on pouring your own piers:
-Use a sonnotube or plywood form. You want your finished concrete to be smooth sided so that the heaving ground can't grab onto the concrete.
-Work the fresh concrete with a stick like you're churning butter (does anyone do that anymore?) to bring air bubbles to the surface.
-If you make your own plywood forms and you don't have any releasing agent on hand, brush the inside of the forms with any kind of oil. Used motor oil works well and I once used peanut oil that was starting to go rancid.
-The forms need to sit on undisturbed or compacted soil.
I hope this helps.
dan kowall
