Working With Cement
A few basic tips are
shown here. If you need more comprehensive information, please
visit the websites of one of our member companies or ask at your
local builders' merchant:
preparation
- Cement must be kept dry, to avoid its quality
deteriorating
- If mixing by hand, work on a hard, fairly smooth and waterproof
surface.
estimating how much concrete you need
- Measure the area to be concreted and multiply by the thickness
to be laid
- Refer to manufacturer's mix guides to work out how much you
need
- Add 10 per cent to final figure for wastage
- For bigger jobs of 2-3 cubic metres, you may need to hire a
concrete mixer or buy ready-mixed concrete.
mixing concrete
- Measure sand and gravel onto mixing board. Make a crater in the
centre and add cement. Mix together
- Form another crater, add water gradually until pile is well
mixed - not too slippy or too crumbly
- Test the mix by using the back of the shovel to flatten. The
surface should be close-knit and moist but not showing too much
water.
moving concrete
- Try and mix the concrete close to where you will use it
- A bucket can be used for small quantities but you may need a
wheelbarrow with a pneumatic tyre for larger loads
- Laying scaffolding planks on any soft ground will stop the
wheelbarrow from leaving ruts.