Slab Base Guide

• Start by making a timber frame with the shuttering, Use the nails and butt joints to fix the ends together, the frame needs to be approximately 100mm larger than the area of the garden building floor.
• Lay the frame in the position where you will put the base, make sure it is square by measuring corner to corner diagonally, the measurements should be the same.
• Hammer one stake on the outside of each corner leaving a minimum of 75mm out of the ground, use the spirit level to check that the stakes are fairly level, then remove the timber frame.
• Use the spade to remove the grass and excess soil from inside the area to give a level surface.
• (Optional) if required you can remove an extra 75mm + to allow for hardcore under the screed although it is not essential.
• Replace the timber frame and nail it to the top of the stakes. Hammer the stakes down until the frame is level and is a minimum of approximately 100mm from the new soil level.
• Mix up the sand and cement into a 6 sand to one cement dry mix, fill the base to the top of the shuttering with the mix using the rake to level it out.
• Wet the mix lightly in one corner and lay your first slab tight to the edge of the shuttering, it is very important that the first slab is level so check it a couple of times to be sure, you can use the rubber mallet to make slight adjustments.
• Follow the last procedure for the rest of the slabs, the slabs do not have to be close up to each other, gaps of up to 400mm are acceptable and will also allow air to travel under the building floor.
• When all the slabs are laid use a hose pipe on light spray to wet the screed then leave the shuttering in place for at least two days for the dry mix to set.
• Sit back with a cup of tea and admire your finished master piece.