16-04-2023

Concreting Tips & Tricks

When concreting, you need to think about the mixing, pouring, and finishing of the concrete before you even begin your DIY task.

You may be using concrete to build a base for a small building, such as a garden shed, or floorings such as patios, paths and driveways. Therefore, you want the concrete to do the job, look professional, and last.

When working with concrete, there are also health and safety practices to follow too. The proper tools and PPE must be used, to ensure the job is carried out safely.

If done correctly, concrete should be durable, long-lasting, and will resist weathering and erosion, meaning your finished product stands the test of time.

Once you’ve planned your job and know what to do, Speedy has a concrete mixer bundle ready to hire so you can get started.

 

 

 

Stay Safe When Working with Concrete

If working with concrete, the considerations begin a long time before you start building.

Almost everything required to make concrete will be heavy and cumbersome. When lifting bags of sand, gravel, or anything else you’re using to make the concrete, remember to protect your back.

Keep your back straight, knees bent, and the bag positioned between your knees. If you think the bag is too heavy to safely lift, seek help.

Concrete can also cause burns, so it is vital to wear PPE when working with concrete and cement.

The chemicals in wet cement react with the water molecules in your skin, producing alkaline molecules. This breaks down your skin tissue.

The longer the cement is in contact with the skin, the worse the burn gets. You need to prevent this skin contact. Wear long sleeves and clothing which covers all skin, wear work gloves which are strong, waterproof, resilient to cuts, and have a strong grip, and wear strong work boots.

You also need to wear eye protection and a mask to protect your face during your concrete project.

Cement burns can occur in areas where cement gets trapped for prolonged periods and goes unnoticed. So, ensure all clothing is tight to the skin (layer if needed), and that gloves and other work wear won’t allow cement in.

Wear high rubber boots if you need to stand on or in the concrete, and knee pads if kneeling in it (but do try to avoid this altogether). Dispose of clothes which have come into contact with cement.

Seek medical attention if your skin comes into contact with cement.

 

7 Tips for Working with Concrete

Concrete is made from fine, coarse aggregate bonded together with fluid cement. It hardens over time. It is the second-most used substance in the world, after water, and is the most widely used building material.

So, it is a sensible choice for use in building works. However, it can be intimidating for a DIYer to use. Worry not – Speedy has a guide on using concrete below.

 

  1. Choose the correct concrete mixer

How much concrete do you need to mix? You need to choose the correct concrete mixer for the job. Our concrete mixer bundle, featuring the Altrad Belle MiniMix 150, should be perfect for any DIYer.

It has 130 litres drum capacity and comes with a mixer stand, portable transformer and extension lead.

You don’t want to overwhelm the drum, as the concrete won’t mix properly. So, if you have a big job on your hands, hire a mixer with a bigger drum.

 

  1. Create the correct concrete mix

Think about the density and strength required for your concrete.

It is often recommended that concrete mix is four parts crushed rock, two parts sand, and one part cement. But this ratio can be adapted; for more compressive strength, more rock may be required, and for workability and moulding, use more sand and less rock.

Compressive strength could be needed for a car garage floor and moulding for making an external planter or other visual accessories.

 

  1. Ensure the base is correct

Prepare the site. A solid base is needed. The concrete will deteriorate quickly without anything to support it. A hardcore sub-base is essential; MOT Type 1 hardcore sub-base is popular for paths and roads.

You can buy in bulk, which means you can be generous for the project at hand. You will then need a wacker plate/plate compactor to compact the base before concreting.

Never concrete on top of water, mud, or frozen textures. This will not provide a firm enough base for concrete over time, especially as the properties of these surfaces are prone to changing and are too soft.

 

  1. Work in the correct conditions

You want to work with concrete when the weather is mild and dry. Too cold, and it will take too long to cure. Slow curing results in brittle concrete which won’t last.

Too warm, and the moisture will evaporate too quickly. It could shrink, and crack when dried.

April and May are seen as the main months in the construction world for concreting. Between 40°F and 60°F is usually the guide on best timings, which is 4°C and 15°C.

Anything above 15°C is still possible but try not to work below 4°C. Avoid temperature and weather extremes entirely; it will mean the job needs to be done again, which is costly, messy, and time-consuming.

You can even buy concrete warming blankets which will help protect and cure your concrete in colder weather. But sticking to the right time of year is best.

If you do need to work in more extreme conditions, it could be worth working with a professional to ensure best practices.

 

  1. Finish and level correctly

Concrete needs to be compact to ensure durability and strength. Going over the concrete with a finishing tool such as a screeding tool will also ensure it is smooth and level.

This is particularly vital if the concrete will be used as a base or needs to be visually appealing.

 

  1. Finish everything at the same time

This means everything will be even and will match. It also means you only have to do all that prep work once.

So, pick a day when you can dedicate the time, and the weather forecast is reliable.

 

  1. Leave time to cure

Concrete needs time to cure before large amounts of weight are applied. This gives it the correct properties and long-term composure.

Curing is different to setting; set concrete can support some weight without damage short-term, and cured concrete is at full strength.

Concrete can take a surprising amount of time to dry. After 24 hours, it can be dry enough for light foot traffic. By 7 days, concrete can often be walked on and support temporary weight, but you may want to leave 28 days for the full cure.

You need to maintain satisfactory temperature and moisture conditions long enough for the desired concrete properties.

If the water evaporates too quickly, it will become weak. You need to spray the concrete and cover it with plastic sheeting to reduce evaporation.

 

Can I texture my concrete?

If you are making a path, and texture is important for grip, you can either remove the top layer of concrete before it sets to expose the aggregate or texture it by hand.

Use a hand float to create patterns, such as swirls or lines, or a broom finish is where you use a brush to create a texture such as lines.

Consider this if grip is important.

 

Can I Hire a Cement Mixer?

Cement mixers are available to hire from Speedy, the UK’s number one hire destination.

Speedy has more than 200 local service centres across the nation, hire counters in selected B&Qs and nationwide 4-hour delivery. It has never been easier to hire the tools and equipment you need.

You’ll find all the tools you need right here. Why not open a Speedy account today online or visit us in your local depot to start hiring today?

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