The American Beagler Forum

Continuing my other thread:
I am going to lay the concrete slab and now I know I need some of those control joints or grooves, or whatever you guys call them between sections for contraction and expansion. Should I use a skill saw with a concrete blade and cut these “grooves” out? If so, what do I fill them with? Also, how long after you pour the concrete should you cut those grooves?

Second question: I’m going to put chain-linked kennel on this slab, so how do you attach the bases for the fencing? Drill or what?

Thanks a bunch!

yes a skill saw and concrete blade will be fine for a small job like that. dont "push" the saw, just kinda lean on it and let it slowly cut. you should cut it about an inch deep and i would cut it the next day. you can drill your kennel bases on if you want. we use 3/16" tapcon screws (blue colored concrete screws). pick a length that is at least 2 inches longer than the base so that it will hold good. drill a pilot hole with a masonry drill bit and screw it in. we dont caulk most things here in IL, but if you think you need to, there are many concrete caulking compounds to use. any would be fine for a kennel and the self leveling ones are the easiest. they are kinda messy so have some rags handy. good luck.

Thanks Blackdirt -- I appreciate it -- that helps a lot!

your welcome. this is one of the few things i know something about .

Can you give me an idea of what it cost to pour a concrete slab - say 4" deep and 10"x30"
Thanks

NC Beagler, before you go and order concete check with your buddies and see if any of them know anyone that drives a concrete truck. I was able to catch a guy that had finished delivering for the day and needed to dump the rest of his load just to get rid of it. We were able to work out a little under the table arrangement. I did all of the forming, and he just poured the concrete. It was a lot cheaper than what they wanted to charge me.

Big Dog

nc beagler- that figures out to about 4 yards of concrete and in my area they get $75 per yard.

Here is the formula to calculate the amount of concrete needed. Say you are doing a 10X30 foot kennel at 4 inches deep (.33 of an one inch):

10X30X.33 than add 10% to the total and divide by 27 and puts you right at 4 yards. Change any of the first 3 numbers to fit your situation.

Thanks guys for the helpful info.!

I installed the upright poles and applied the cyclone fencing to same. I installed a 4 foot door (fence type). I then formed the entire kennel with 2x4's and poured in the cement. Be sure to work around the door. The cement holds the fence in place nice and tight. Be sure to drop the cement 1/4 inch to make sure the water and misc. run where you want it to. My door has spring loaded hinges on it. Real nice touch to keep the dogs from running out when my back is turned. My new kennel(I'm moving) will be 10 x 20 feet. Same type construction. I also install a roof that comes to the kennel fence height with an overhang. No dogs climb out! I only have females (2) so they stay together. Sounds like a lot of work, but how much are good hunting beagles worth? This helps with cleanup. Pine-sol and water once a week in the summer does the trick. good hunting...

Littledog,
You had asked about the material you put beween slabs that allow for exspansion/concraction of the slabs. You can do as described earlier and cut grooves in a settled slab, but it's better to buy the strips and put them in while your pad is settling. It's called expansion joint and comesin strips 6" tall, .5" thick and in 12' and 16' lengths. It's dirt cheap. Most hardware stores carry it.
Also, I'd remove all the top soil and biodegradable material from the surface before you build your forms. This will prevent the slabs from cracking.

Thanks BSBow -- I got 4 yards of concrete on the way in the morning if it don't rain to much -- THANKS!