How to Form a Concrete Housekeeping Slab

Level the ground in the area where the slab will be placed. Use the rake to move the dirt from the high spots to the low spots on the ground. Add more dirt with a shovel, if necessary. Use the level to check the grade.

Cut the 2-by-4 boards to the desired length necessary to form the housekeeping slab. Position the boards around the perimeter of the slab location. Put the side and end boards in the proper locations.

Place a 16D nail near the top of an end board. Use a hammer to drive the nail through the end board into the side board. Make sure the boards are flush on the top and on the sides. Hold another 16D nail near the bottom of the end board. Hammer the nail through the end board to fasten the two boards together. Repeat this procedure to connect the other side and end boards. Nail all four corners.

Square the forms. Place a framing square against the inside of a corner. Use the hammer to tap the form until it is square. Repeat this procedure for the diagonally opposed corner.

Put a concrete stake against the outside edge of the form about 4 inches away from the corner of the form. The stake should be flush with the outside edge of the form board. Drive the stake into the ground with the hammer. The stake should go at least 8 inches into the ground. You need to place a stake near each corner to hold the form in place. A total of eight stakes will be needed to secure the corners.

Drive additional stakes approximately every 2 feet along the outside edge of the form boards. Nail the stakes to the form boards. Use at least two nails per stake. Check the slab to ensure that it is still square as you nail the stakes to the form boards.