Saving money by mixing your own concrete? If you are, then we have your back with this guide, which details the steps needed to do that.
With it, you can make different extension structures like walls, patios, steps, paving stones, curbs, and plenty more at your property or office.
Things You’ll Be Needing
Before you mix concrete, you have to gather the essential supplies, equipment, and tools. Among them are:
- A 50-pound bag of quick-mix concrete
- Water
- Mortar tub or wheelbarrow
- Hoe
- Shovel
- Thick rubber gloves
- Eye protector
- Clean bucket
- Construction dust mask
- Utility knife
- Measuring cup
- Permanent marker
Steps in Making Concrete
Once you have ticked all of the things above, let’s get started with making concrete. For that, follow the steps below.
It may seem hard at first, but it is actually very easy to do oneself, especially as you become familiar with it.
1) Pour the concrete into the wheelbarrow
Rather than use the shovel to dig up concrete mix and transfer it into the wheelbarrow, use this dust-minimizing method instead.
Carry the concrete onto one side of the wheelbarrow or mixing basin. Now, slice open the packaging with a utility knife, and gently lower the top to pour the mix while holding the bottom part for support.
Keep the concrete mix on one side so that you can put water on the other in a bit. You can use the shovel to adjust it accordingly.
2) Pour the water
Next, get your bucketful of water and pour it onto the open side of the wheelbarrow or mixing basin.
3) Carefully mix the concrete with water
Proceed to fold over a bit of the concrete into the water on the other side. Keep in mind not to mix all of the concrete at once.
Gradually mix more concrete with the water.
4) Keep mixing the concrete
The concrete should be fully mixed with the water by this time. From this point, keep mixing still until the mixture is slightly wet and stable.
5) Check and improve the concrete if needed
The ideal concrete should not be dry and crumbly or runny. If it is, you’d have to improve it until the right texture and properties are achieved.
If the concrete is dry and crumbly, you can add a cup of water at a time. On the other hand, if the concrete is soupy and saggy, add more dry concrete to your mix.
And then repeat the process of mixing the concrete carefully.
Having done it right, the concrete should look and feel stable (meaning it stays in place on its side) and look somewhat shiny after patting it with a garden hoe or shovel.
6) Clean your tools
When you’re done mixing concrete, clean up your tools. You can do this by placing them inside the wheelbarrow, spraying them with a garden hose, and then, propping them against a wall to dry.
And finally, spray the wheelbarrow or mixing basin clean and let them dry out in the open.
More Home Improvement Resources
Now you know how to mix concrete, you might also require the services of the following for home improvement. Feel free to check them out:
