Working with concrete means working only on a number of easy-to-understand guidelines, especially during the mixing and the proper pouring of concrete. With an alert mind and patience, you can manage working with concrete all by yourself when it comes to small works for your house.
You have the freedom to choose which type of concrete you will use: may it be the commercial and readily-mixed concrete or concrete powder which you will prepare by yourself. The one which you will prepare requires water, and this by far is the easiest and simplest concrete-type to use. Small house jobs needing concrete can use this DIY concrete. For large-scale projects, this concrete mix can also be used; however, large amounts will also be used.
Larger scale constructions jobs suit best with a concrete mix tractor, containing the readily-mixed concrete, and delivers the mix into the job site. In this case, do your research to know of local vendors who provide quality concrete with free premixing and shipping. If you want the most inexpensive concrete working solution for a very large project, you can purchase the dry concrete powder and mix them yourself; the down side is that this task is time consuming and therefore complicated.
Concrete mixing is a far cry from understanding rocket science. All types of concrete mix consist of four basic ingredients: water, cement, sand or any fine aggregate, and gravel or any coarse aggregate. Gravel and sand should be able to fill at least 2/3 or 3/4 of the entire concrete mixture.
These 4 components must be clean and free from any organic and toxic matter – this should be able to give you the best quality concrete product. Though there are many types of concrete mix, you need to pay attention as to the one concrete mixture that will be able to address your concrete needs. A proportionate mixture of one cement sack for 1 ½ gallons of water will be best for housing foundations and their retention walls. For stepping stones, mix one cement sack with at least one water gallon. Cement should consist of one part, sand of two parts, and gravel of three parts for a concrete mix fitting for sidewalks.
Most of today’s concrete jobs need to use any form of concrete, may it be a form above the found surface or dug towards the ground. The key to a good form is to be patient so as the proper measurements of your mixture is obtained.
