"Fiber additives seem handy, but I'd only trust them for smaller stuff like walkways or garden pads."
Yeah, totally agree there. Fiber's convenient, but it doesn't replace proper reinforcement for bigger projects. I did my garage slab about five years ago—went with #4 rebar too, but spaced at 18 inches. No issues yet, even with heavy vehicles and harsh winters. One thing I'd add: don't skimp on the gravel base prep...makes a huge difference in the long run. Learned that the hard way myself!
"don't skimp on the gravel base prep...makes a huge difference in the long run."
Glad someone mentioned this—it's easy to overlook how much prep matters. Curious though, did you compact your gravel base mechanically or just tamp it down manually? I've seen both methods recommended, but always wondered if renting a compactor is worth the extra hassle and cost for smaller DIY projects like garages or sheds.
I get the logic behind renting a compactor, but honestly, for my shed foundation I just tamped manually. Took a bit longer, sure, but it's held up fine so far. Might be worth saving the rental fee if your project's small enough.
"I just tamped manually. Took a bit longer, sure, but it's held up fine so far."
Manual tamping can definitely work for smaller projects like sheds, especially if you're careful about layering and compacting evenly. A couple things to keep in mind though:
- Soil type matters—a lot. If you're dealing with sandy or loamy soil, manual tamping is usually enough. But if you've got clay-heavy soil, it can be trickier to get consistent compaction without machinery.
- Moisture content is key. Slightly damp soil compacts way better than bone-dry or overly wet soil. Learned this the hard way when I built my garden shed foundation... ended up redoing half of it after a heavy rain because I rushed it the first time around.
- Consider the load. For a small shed or garden structure, manual tamping is usually fine. But if you're planning something heavier or more permanent (like a workshop or storage building), renting a compactor might save you headaches down the road.
Bottom line: manual tamping can totally work, just make sure you're thorough and patient. Saving rental fees is always nice—more money for tools and snacks, right?
Manual tamping can be surprisingly effective if you're patient about it. Did you find it tough to keep the layers even? I remember doing a small patio area manually, and the hardest part was making sure each layer got compacted evenly without any dips or bumps. It turned out okay, but my arms were sore for days afterward...
Good point about the moisture level too. I learned that lesson the hard way when helping a friend with his backyard shed foundation. We thought the soil was fine, but it was actually way too dry. Ended up having to sprinkle water and redo a good chunk of it. Definitely not fun, but at least we caught it before pouring concrete.
Curious—did you put down gravel or sand as a base layer under your concrete? I've seen people skip it for smaller projects, but it seems like adding gravel helps a lot with drainage and stability. Might be worth considering if you're planning another DIY foundation in the future.
Also, totally agree about renting equipment for larger projects. I get wanting to save money (who doesn't?), but sometimes renting a compactor or mixer can save you from redoing work later on. Learned that one from experience too... manual mixing concrete in a wheelbarrow sounds easy until you're halfway through and questioning all your life choices, haha.
Anyway, glad your manual tamping worked out well so far. Did you build anything else besides the shed?
