WHY YOU NEED TO MIX YOUR CONCRETE PROPERLY

Mixing concrete is often considered to be an art, and unless you’ve had experience doing it before, it can be relatively difficult to get right. Although it’s often advised not to hand mix copious amounts of concrete for large projects, it’s possible to mix the perfect batch of concrete for smaller, more simple uses.

In this article, EasyMix will be explaining the process behind mixing your own concrete, together with the tools you’ll need and the gear you should wear in order to keep you safe. As well as this, we’ll also be explaining the importance of mixing your concrete properly to ensure maximum longevity.

Domestic projects requiring concrete

There are many situations when conducting DIY where the use of concrete is absolutely necessary. With high-quality, well-mixed concrete, small to medium sized jobs can be carried out with ease, including:

• Driveways
• Garage bases
• Footing and groundworks
• Internal and external slabs
• Floor screed
• Garden paths
• Shed foundations

However, even the smallest of projects can prove to be a challenge when hand mixing your concrete. The most simple and convenient way to get the job done would be to buy ready mix concrete from an appropriate, reputable supplier, such as EasyMix.

Tools needed to mix concrete by hand

If you’re going to mix concrete by hand, then you’ll need a variety of different tools which are necessary for adequate concrete mixing, the equipment you will need includes:

• Mortar hoe
• Heavy-duty bucket
• Stiff bristle brush
• Wheelbarrow

Why you should wear protective gear

When mixing concrete, it’s important that the correct protective clothing and equipment is worn. This can prevent wet cement from flicking into your eyes or onto your skin. If this happens, you could become subject to concrete burns.

What are concrete burns?

Concrete burns are caused by skin coming into direct contact with wet cement, allowing a chemical reaction to take place. This chemical reaction can cause irritation or damage to the skin, especially if not washed away and treated as soon as possible. Concrete burns typically work gradually, often over several hours, as the cement hardens.

How to protect yourself when mixing concrete

• Protecting your head and eyes – wear a hard hat and heavy-duty goggles at all times. Remain as vigilant as possible and pay attention to the job at hand.
• Protecting your back – take care when lifting heavy loads such as concrete. Ensure your back is straight, your legs are bent and do not twist your waist while in the process of doing this – always use your legs, not your back, waist or hips.
• Protecting your skin – cover all exposed skin. You can do this by wearing long-sleeved tops and trousers or overalls which are then tucked into heavy-duty gloves and boots for ultimate protection.

How to mix your concrete

It’s often advised that you should only mix your own concrete if you require small volumes of it. As this process will be carried out at home, there are several steps that need to be taken in order to produce high-quality, long-lasting concrete, and we’re on hand to tell you how.

• Slice the bag and dump the mix – put the bag at one end of your wheelbarrow, then take a mortar hoe and slice the bag open with it. Keeping the bag at the end of the wheelbarrow, pour the mixture out and remove the bag.
• Add the water – with the cement still piled up at one end of the wheelbarrow, pour the required amount of water next to the pile, and not over the top of it. It’s better to add the water using a bucket as opposed to a hose. Reserve approximately four cups of water for adding later if needed.
• Gradually wet the cement – drag a small amount of dry mix into the water you’ve just poured and mix it thoroughly with a hoe. Continue this process until you no longer have any dry cement. Continue mixing until all dry particles have been completely moistened.
• Mix the concrete with the right technique – a sturdy wheelbarrow would be best for mixing, but ensure it’s also on an even surface. When mixing from the side of the wheelbarrow, brace it with your knee to add an increased level of stability.
• Keep working the mix to find the perfect ratio – it’s important that the right concrete mix ratio is reached before attempting to pour it. If this isn’t done, you could end up with concrete which is too runny. The problem with soupy concrete is that it’s far more likely to crack once it has dried. Take your time here, adding controlled amount of water or powder as and when needed.

Why you need to mix your concrete properly

There are many reasons why your concrete should be mixed properly and to the correct ratio. It could affect its durability and stability in the long run, which could mean that you’re spending more time and money to rectify the situation. It’s not just how well the concrete is mixed, or the water/cement ratio, but it’s also the conditions in which you mix it which can affect the lifespan and quality of your concrete.

Factors affecting the performance of your concrete

• Mixing concrete in conditions which are either too hot or too cold
• You haven’t bought cement which is strong enough for the project you’re undertaking.
• Too much water was added during the mixing process
• More water could have been added throughout the mixing of your concrete
• Using materials which are of poor quality
• Not checking how old the concrete is before using it

Consequences of an incorrect water/cement ratio

• The more water you pour into the concrete mix, the more dilute the solution will become. Not only will this affect the strength of your concrete, but it could also affect its longevity, porosity and colour.
• If an excessive amount of water is applied to the mixture, then the overall paste has weakened. This results in a larger spacing in between the cement particles. Subsequently, the crystals will begin to grow too far apart from each other, preventing them from forming strong bonds.
• Once set, the concrete becomes more susceptible to shrinkage and cracking. Micro-cracks are often as a result of shrinkage, which could occur if the cement was mixed in cold weather, therefore creating pockets of weakness.
• If too much water has been added, it could cause water to bleed out onto the surface of your concrete via the micro channels and passages within the concrete that were created due to poorly mixed concrete.

The benefits of ready mix concrete at EasyMix

Ready mix concrete is an efficient, convenient alternative to mixing concrete yourself. Not only will our team of highly-trained specialists mix it to the perfect ratio and to British Standards, but we can also deliver it straight to your door, with a same and next day service available. Here are some other ways in which you could benefit from ready mix concrete:

• The concrete is mixed under strict and controlled conditions
• Reduced dust pollution, preventing contamination
• Bulk cement is used as opposed to bagged cement
• It allows you to get on with your project as soon as possible
• Considerably reduces the risk of concrete burns (although protective clothing should still be worn while working with the concrete, as well as mixing it)
• It’s more cost-effective, as you won’t be spending any money to rectify a batch which has gone wrong.
• All batches are quality controlled
• You’ll be able to order only what you need
• It’s more environmentally friendly
• Perfect for covering large areas/domestic projects, such as driveways or garage bases.

If you’d like to order a batch of ready mix concrete from us here at EasyMix, but aren’t sure how much you will need to complete your project, then use our concrete calculator for a highly accurate estimate.

Here at EasyMix, we’re proud to be leading suppliers of concrete and floor screed throughout Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire and the surrounding areas. As such, you’ll always be able to count on our team of highly-skilled experts to supply commercial and domestic customers with concrete which has been mixed to British Standards for your peace of mind.

As well as next and same day delivery services, we also believe that a customer should only pay for what they use, ensuring an even more cost-effective service.

For more information, get in touch with us today – we’re always happy to help.