"Charlie S." wrote in message
news:4pGgg.1931$F%3.1034@trndny07...
Looking to make a four foot handicap cement ramp at the end of the house
walkway. The walkway is about 3 feet wide. There will be about a 5 inch
drop in those four feet. I am going to remove the last 4 feet of level
concrete before I begin.

I was thinking of making a form with 2x4's on the long sides and thinner
plywood at each end. Then, nail a piece of plywood over the top. Pour
cement into the form and let it harden.

Couldn't find much on how to actually make this type of ramp. From what I
read, it didn't say anything about putting a top piece over the form.
Rather, (if I remember correctly) it said to make the mix somewhat firmer
and start pouring at the lower end.

Which way would be better? Or, should I look at this project differently?

Other questions:
Should the flooring be level and just the surface angled? I plan to add
some small stones before pouring.

We live in New England. I bought the cheap $3.00 a bag Quickrete Concrete
mix from Home Depot. Should I have bought the better mix for the colder
weather?

Way too big a pour for quickcrete. Unless you have lots of helpers, you will
never get it mixed, placed, and screeded in time.

Better solution, and less of a turnoff to buyers, is to replace entire
sidewalk, and modify yard grading, to make the ramp vanish. If the rise is
over the whole length, it will barely be noticable. If that isn't in the
budget, just do the upper 7 or 8 feet- four feet is way too short for a
5-inch rise, especially where ice is common. Bust out the existing walk,
form up the ramp, with thick edges on the bottom, and maybe curbs on top if
there is a dropoff, and get the concrete delivered. I'd use 4" fabric in the
slab, to resist cracks and frost heaving.

I haven't looked in a few years, but ADA and AIA used to have brochures
about recommended standards for retrofits like this.

aem sends...