Building a Concrete Pad for a Car Lift: A Step-by-Step Guide
Concrete is made from Portland cement, crushed rock, sand, gravel, and water. The water gives it workability until it hardens, after which it becomes extremely durable. Although often overlooked, concrete is also fire-resistant. To support a car lift, the concrete must be at least 5 inches thick, reinforced with rebar, and have a compressive strength of 3,000 pounds per square inch. Car lifts may have two or four posts, and each post requires its own pad.
By Harper Adams8 steps
Concrete, depending on its use, has a coarse or fine texture.
Portland cement serves as the primary component of concrete. The mixture also contains crushed rock, sand, gravel, and water. Water provides workability until the concrete sets, after which it becomes rock-hard. Concrete is also fire-resistant, a property that is often overlooked. Heavy weight and weather are concrete's main adversaries, as they can lead to cracking and erosion. For a car lift foundation, the concrete must be no less than 5 inches thick, be reinforced with rebar wiring, and have a strength of 3,000 pounds per square inch. Car lifts can have two or four support posts; each post needs its own pad.
Step 1
Create a form for the concrete. Break up the existing floor with a jackhammer and level the area as much as possible using sand and crushed rock. Compact the sand and rock with a roller tamp. The form is simply made from 2-by-4-by-18 boards. Nail these boards together to form a square around the car lift area. Check that the form is straight with a bubble level. Secure the form with stakes.
Step 2
Mist the inside of the form with water from a garden hose. Do not drench it; just dampen the ground. Lay rebar wiring across the bottom of the form.
Step 3
Put on proper clothing. Wet concrete is alkaline and can cause chemical burns on contact with skin. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, work pants, gloves, and rubber boots. When mixing concrete, dust in the air can irritate eyes, so wear goggles.
Step 4
In a wheelbarrow, combine 1 part Portland cement with 2 parts sand and 2 parts gravel. Crushed rock can be used instead of gravel. Add water gradually until the concrete reaches the consistency of thick pancake batter.
Step 5
Transfer the concrete from the wheelbarrow into the form.
Step 6
Fill the form to the top and compact the wet concrete using a roller tamp. Place a 2-by-4 across the top of the form and slide its edge along the surface to smooth the concrete.
Step 7
Move the 2-by-4 back and forth in a sawing motion to level the wet concrete. Use a magnesium concrete rake on areas of the form that are out of reach.
Step 8
Draw a 2-by-8 with a groover attached across the top of the cement to create contraction joints. These joints allow the concrete to expand and contract as temperature changes.
