To test the slump on your fresh batch, you can use a professional slump cone available from home improvement stores or a reasonable DIY facsimile made from a sturdy plastic cup with its bottom cut off. Dampen the inside of the cone, and place it so that its larger end is on a flat, nonporous surface. Then, fill the cone through its open top with thoroughly mixed concrete, tamping it down with your hands or if the hole is too narrow a rod as you go.
If the slump is less than it should be, churn a little more water into the batch; a larger slump than expected requires additional dry mix. This content has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.
Disclosure: BobVila. Generally, premixed concrete comes in three to four main types which covers most concrete jobs, even through to professional level. Bags will show the MPa and will also outline the jobs the concrete mix is suitable for. If in doubt, chat to your friendly hardware store staff.
This is a US site and while it gives the kg equivalent, it refers to the strength of concrete as Psi so here is a handy tool to convert Psi to the MPa metric measure used here in NZ. You can then use this alongside your own measurements of your job to work out how many premixed bags you need.
For example, a 20kg bag of concrete mix will make approximately 0. Water is the essential ingredient for binding your dry concrete ingredients together. Always read the instructions that come with your concrete mix as to how much water you need. While some people tend to judge how much water is required by the appearance of the concrete, it can be deceiving.
The amount of water added will also impact the drying time of your concrete, so always plan for that, too. Now you understand the core components of what you need for your concreting job — concrete mix, water and a concrete mixer - there are some other things that might be useful to make your job go as smoothly as possible.
If not, you might want to consider buying or hiring a hose. The power cord on the electric mixers is pretty short 10cm so you will need to make sure you have an appropriate extension cord. Hirepool has a wide variety of lengths of extension cords available for hire.
If using a petrol-powered concrete mixer having enough petrol is key to making sure you can operate as long as you need to get the job done and maximise your hire time.
You can borrow as many of our 5 litre petrol containers as you think you will need and can either take them pre filled from Hirepool or fill at your local petrol station.
There are a couple more things that will make your concrete mixing job that much easier. A concrete wheelbarrow, on the other hand, is designed to do just that! For heavier loads of concrete or uphill work, you may need a motorised wheelbarrow.
A motorised wheelbarrow will reduce the manual labour required and help you complete your project much faster. Shovel — for breaking open your concrete bags and shoveling the contents into the concrete mixer. Concrete mix is incredibly heavy and so shoveling the mix in as opposed to lifting the bags to empty them in will save your back!
The number one safety rule for concrete mixers? Machine mixed concrete should be mixed in a barrel-type mixer. Step 1 Measure the recommended water amount for the number of bags to be added to the mixer and pour half of the water into the mixer each pound bag will require about 3 quarts of water.
If using liquid cement color, add to the mixing water. Play it safe by adding less water than recommended, and then gradually add the remaining water while keeping an eye on the consistency of the mix. Step 6 — Check Consistency. Stop the mixer to check the consistency of the concrete. Continue mixing, adding the remaining water as necessary. If the mix is still stiff and clumpy, add 8 oz. Step 7 — Final Check and onto Casting. The ideal mix will have the texture of rocky oatmeal.
Too wet and it will run through your fingers if you pick up a handful. Pour the concrete in a wheel barrow and move it to the casting area. If you need to make multiple batches at the same time, set the wheel barrow aside and prepare the next batch for mixing. The concrete will begin to set-up after 15 minutes, so work quickly.
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