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Mixing Cement  |
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 Most homeowners and beginning do-it-yourselfers don't realize that there are a number of different types of cement suited for a wide range of projects around the house. Understanding the selection available will help make your repairs and projects easier while helping them to last a lifetime.
The one major problem with cement is that it is often difficult to work with. The individual bags can be quite heavy, as can the additional ingredients often needed ranging from stone to sand … and don't forget the water. If you have a large job to complete you may consider a professional, but if the job is small enough or just a simple repair you can easily mix enough cement in your backyard to get the work done.
Step One: Knowing the basics of the materials in question will go a long way in helping you solve your do-it-yourself problems. Let's begin with an explanation of the differences between cement, concrete and mortar, each of which is often used around the house in repairs and building projects.
Beginning with cement, it is actually an ingredient and often mistaken for concrete or mortar. Cement is actually the agent that bonds when it is mixed with water, sand and aggregate to make concrete or mortar.
Concrete is typically a mixture of aggregate, sand and cement that when combined with water is used to form foundations for buildings, footers for patios and decks, and even sidewalks and patios. You have likely seen concrete being made in the concrete trucks around job sites. Concrete can also be poured into forms to make blocks suitable for a number of building needs.
Mortar is used like glue for bonding brick or for patching old mortar ion chimneys, and even in plastering walls. Mortar doesn't contain any aggregate which means it isn't quite as strong as concrete but it does contain more lime than concrete which helps make it sticky and elastic which is important in its application.
Step Two: With a basic knowledge of the materials involved we should go one step further and review the choices and various types of materials available for the do-it-yourselfer. Beginning with pre-mixed concrete and mortar, these items are the most popular for general use. The bags already contain all of the necessary ingredients for a perfect mixture. All you have to do is add water to yield the finished product. Be sure to remember the differences between concrete and mortar that we discussed to ensure the right material for the job at hand.
Another product available on the market is called Portland Cement. This product is a straight cement ingredient used if you want to mix your own concrete or mortar. It is less expensive than pre-mixed products, but you may find that the work involved in getting together the additional ingredients and doing the final mixing is too much for larger projects.
Masonry sand and aggregate have been referred to a couple of times here and are key elements when you will be mixing mortar or concrete. Typically sold by the cubic yard, most stores will deliver them for you to the job site. One final ingredient is lime. Mixed with mortar, the lime gives the material its holding ability. If you are working on a vertical surface or similar project you may need to add extra lime to the mixture to give you the elasticity and sticky quality you need.
Step Three: With your materials collected you are ready to begin work. Start by setting up your work area. Many of the materials involved are heavy or tough to move long distances, so planning is the key to making the job easier. Before you even start mixing concrete prepare your job site. All forms should be in place and ready to receive the concrete. Additionally, you should try to work on a level surface that is solid to support the weight of the ingredients and finished product. If you do spill some of the mixture you can usually wait for it to dry and easily pick it up, unless it is on a driveway or similar surface in which case you should hose it down immediately. Above all else, be sure to take special measures to keep all of your materials dry while you get the site ready. Keep them off the ground and covered with tarps at all times.
Step Four: With the site ready you can begin mixing. If you are using a pre-mix product simply add the mix to a wheelbarrow two bags at a time. Clear a small bowl in the center of the dry mix down to the wheelbarrow bottom and add your water. Remember that it is better to add less water and work slowly rather than have to add more mix to make up for a mistake. Use a bucket to help you measure the amount of water and maintain consistency throughout the project. Half of a 5-gallon bucket full of water, or about 2.5 gallons of water should do the job. Use a hoe to rake the mix back and forth incorporating the water as you work. The mixture for concrete should slide off the blade of your hoe easily, but not so much that it is sloppy. For mortar, make the mixture more granular so that it sticks to the blade of the hoe for a moment before sliding off. If you are starting from scratch and mixing Portland Cement simply add a step to the process which is the inclusion of the sand and aggregate. Check out the recommendations of the manufacturer for proper measurement ratios to ensure a quality material. Be sure to mix the dry materials together before adding any water.
Mixing your own concrete and mortar can save some money and actually makes more sense on smaller jobs and simple repairs. Check the manufacturers' directions against those found above to ensure your finished product meets any special needs your project may have.
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