Many times, the common person uses the phrases "cement" and "concrete" interchangeably without understanding that there's a distinction. Even while the handyman refers to "cement," there is mostly a query as to precisely what he approach. Before going into the info on mixing and diverse initiatives, here is a definition of terms:
1. Portland cement is a manufactured product bought in sacks that generally incorporate 1 cubic foot.
2. Cement is a aggregate of Portland cement, sand and water.
3. Concrete is a aggregate of Portland cement and sand with gravel brought to present it power and bulk, plus water.
Four. Mortar is a mixture of Portland cement, sand and water with about 10% hydrated lime brought.
5. Grout is a flowing mass of cement or concrete.
How Much of Each?
For maximum cement jobs - to set flagstones or patch a house foundation, you want 1 part of Portland cement to 2½'' components of easy, high-quality sand.
For concrete jobs, the proportion varies depending upon the use to which the concrete is positioned.
For mortar mixes - for playing brick or concrete block or repointing brick - use 1 element mortar cement or 1 element Portland cement with 10% lime brought to 2½^'' elements first-rate, smooth sand plus water.
Basic Tools for Concrete Work (Concrete Resurfacing Houston)
Here are numerous of the basic equipment you need while doing cement or concrete paintings approximately the house:
1. General-cause trowel - for putting cement or concrete while doing any concrete paintings.
2. Pointing trowel - for smaller restore and patching jobs and also finishing information, particularly the joint among rows of brick.
Three. Wood waft - for completing the floor, making it clean however with a gritty texture.
4. Steel waft - for completing the surface, making it clean, slick and difficult.
5. Edger - for finishing sidewalks and large surfaces where rounded corners are favored.
6. Strike board - for striking off the excess of the concrete; it leaves the surface degree.
7. Tamper - for doing away with air inclusions in thick sections of freshly poured concrete.
8. Broom - for finishing floor of concrete jobs with a difficult, non-slip floor.
Making a Measuring Box
When doing any extensive blending of your own cement or concrete, a measuring box is tremendously helpful, specially while using huge quantities. You can make this bottomless measuring container in only some minutes and avoid counting the elements by way of the shovels-complete.
Use ¾'' plywood or 1" thick lumber to make a field with 4 facets - a cubic foot - 12" excessive, 12" huge and 12" deep. Secure the edges with screws set approximately 2" aside. Two short lengths of 2x2 attached on the sides make it smooth to transport the measuring field approximately.
How to Mix
All the ingredients need to be thoroughly blended to do the process. If you have failed to mix the Portland cement with the other substances, you undoubtedly will encounter issue later; the process just won't flip out right. If you observe several primary regulations, you may be able to handle cement and urban like an professional.
1. Mix the cement or concrete near the location where it is for use.
2. Mix the cement or concrete simply earlier than you're geared up to use it. Once combined, the cement or concrete begins to set.
3. You can mix cement or concrete in a wheelbarrow, on any concrete surface or on a sheet of ply-timber. However, as soon as you have got completed pouring the mixture, wash the surface off completely so that no cement or concrete hardens and sticks.
Four. It is first-class for the property owner doing a job to combine about a half a bag of Portland cement with the wished quantities of sand and gravel (when making concrete). This is about the most handy quantity for a handyman to handle at one time.
5. Mix the Portland cement and sand very well when dry. After these two are completely mixed you could upload gravel while making concrete.
6. Only after the gravel is thoroughly blended in with the Portland cement and sand must you upload the water.
7. Always measure the substances - do not simply guess. As a manual, in case you do not have a "measuring container," use a shovel to degree. Remember that 1 shovel of Portland cement is identical to at least one shovel of damp sand or 2 shovels of dry sand or 2 shovels of gravel.
Eight. Follow the method important for the mix you're getting ready. Cement and urban used for exclusive functions incorporate specific proportions of Portland cement, sand and gravel.
9. When blending concrete, the dimensions of the gravel you operate depends upon the thickness of the concrete you are pouring. The gravel must be not much less than one-fourth nor multiple-1/3 the thickness of the concrete mass. For instance, while pouring a 4" thick layer of concrete, use clean, hard gravel in sizes from ¼'' as much as about 1" or 1½''.
READY-MIXED CONCRETE - Relatively new is the availability of already combined concrete from nearby groups. The concrete is introduced in a unique truck and is prepared for pouring in location.
The handyman also can use another shape of prepared-blended concrete; that is bought already jumbled in bags. All he has to do is add the water. This equipped-blended concrete and cement is ready on the factory. Here is all you have to do:
1. Empty the bag of prepared-combined cement, and mix it all over again with the aid of hand whilst nevertheless dry.
2. Add water as targeted on the bag. A proper percentage is one gallon of water to 90 pounds of the concrete aggregate.
Three. Mix thoroughly using a hoe, shovel or trowel.
Four. Use the combination right away; in no case ought to moist combination stand for extra than 45 mins.
Concrete Forms
Many home development initiatives you will adopt involve the making of a wooden form. These bureaucracy should be made of sound lumber, freed from knots and decay. The lumber should be dressed or smoothed on at the least one side due to the fact it's far easier to do away with and leaves a higher end. This is especially vital if the surface is to be painted afterwards.
If the cement of concrete will not be painted afterwards, you may use oil, shellac or varnish over the wood to lead them to less difficult to dispose of.
If the shape is set within the floor, as for sidewalks, stake the outdoor of the form. But if the item you make is separate, as a stone for a stroll, you can set the form on a sheet of tarpaper or roofing paper.
Always align the shape to see that the tops are degree. Also make sure that the concrete fills in all the shape and that there are not any "holes" within the mass.
The Curing Process
When a excessive degree of water-tightness, durability and power is preferred, the cement or concrete need to be cured. Curing is a process that delays the evaporation of the water inside the mix. It lengthens and intensifies the hardening system, that's virtually a chemical reaction among the Portland cement and the water.
The curing procedure keeps so long as water is gift to hydrate the cement. If concrete isn't always wet-cured, the surface dries first, frequently just after finishing, and earlier than hardening of the mass beneath. Thus flooring, sidewalks and all surfaces problem to put on will last longer if they may be wet-cured for several days. Moist-curing of all patch work is important.
The curing system itself is very simple. The cement have to be protected and kept moist. The protecting cloth may be wet burlap, canvas or straw. It ought to be kept wet with the aid of periodic sprinkling for as a minimum 5 days. The protecting ought to be placed on as quickly as it can be performed with out marring the surface.
Walls and vertical surfaces can be blanketed by using leaving the bureaucracy in location quickly or by means of putting the covering over them. In some instances, the overlaying material can be distributed with so long as the surface is saved moist by periodic sprinkling.
One of the pleasant coverings for curing is sheet plastic, to be had in huge sizes and in rolls. About three or four hours after the surface of the concrete has been smoothed, it will likely be difficult enough to take the plastic protecting with out sticking. Tack the plastic to the wood forms, where used, or tape it in location with covering tape. The plastic will prevent water evaporation so no periodic sprinkling is important.
Make a "Memory Walk"
A "Memory Walk" leading to your driveway or curving round your lawn may be a source of consistent leisure to the whole own family.
Such a walk is not too tough to make. After your first stones are laid, you have a persevering with task to hold memorable circle of relatives dates alive.
The first stones for the walk can incorporate all of the crucial dates you now have. There should be one with the date of your wedding ceremony; some other for the birthday of your first toddler; if the circle of relatives is developing, have a stone imprinted with the birthday of every child. You would possibly include the date you purchased your first home as well as different dates that convey again reminiscences.
The stones can be crafted from a reliable dry pre-combined concrete that needs most effective the addition of water to make a good workable blend. Use the concrete mix rather than the mortar or sand blend. You need power for the stones.
A simple shape crafted from 2x2 lumber will start you off. You will want 10' to twelve'. Notch close to the ends so the shape will healthy together like a child's constructing logs. In making these bureaucracy, you do not have to be as precise as in cabinet work. In reality, you could be downright sloppy and come out all proper. Be certain the tops are stage, even though, so your stones might be level. Make the forms with inner dimensions approximately feet through toes. This will provide you with rectangular stones, but may not be too tough to handle when you go to lay them. One ninety-pound bag of the dry pre-blended concrete will fill this form with the addition of about one gallon of water. This will provide you with four rectangular ft of stone at a price ranging between 40¢ and forty five¢ consistent with rectangular foot, depending on the part of the u . S . You stay in.
An antique piece of tarpaper can function the bottom while pouring the concrete. If you begin in the course of inclement weather or inside the winter, you could pour the stones on your garage or basement. Let each stone remedy approximately 24 hours, and you can make one every nighttime.
Mix the concrete in a wheelbarrow using a lawn hoe to thoroughly paintings the water into the mixture. Then use a shovel to fill the form. Use a strike board made from scrap lumber to level off the mix. Then waft with a metal trowel to get a clean end. Use an edger to offer a mild curve to the pinnacle of the stones.
After you've got this easy finish, mark the date with a stick or piece of pipe. Use some thing you can deal with without difficulty. You can use script or block printing. Do this soon after you've got smoothed the surface and before the concrete has installation an excessive amount of.
If you want to begin a chain displaying how your children are growing up, have them make footprints within the concrete. Better use old footwear. You can effortlessly scrape the mix off. Leave sufficient space under the footprints with a purpose to mark the date. Then each year on their birthdays, make a new stone with date and footprints. Replace one stone to your walk with the brand new one.
After the stones are completed, lay them in a bed of sand. With a space of multiple inches among each stone, there might be no danger of cracking due to frost. The stones may be approximately two inches thick, in case your shape lumber has been nicely dressed. The spaces among the stones may be packed with sand. Your pathway, of direction, have to be the width of the stones - feet - and the intensity - two inches. You will need to dig the floor out to those dimensions if you want the stroll stage along with your grass. Or, you might wish to sincerely lay the stones out in a walk pattern on top of the grass. By the usage of sand as your laying base, you may maintain the walk bendy for the addition of the brand new stones. Since the stones can be extraordinarily loose, they'll heave all through the wintry weather. But it's no longer a great deal problem to push them returned into location.
1. Portland cement is a manufactured product bought in sacks that generally incorporate 1 cubic foot.
2. Cement is a aggregate of Portland cement, sand and water.
3. Concrete is a aggregate of Portland cement and sand with gravel brought to present it power and bulk, plus water.
Four. Mortar is a mixture of Portland cement, sand and water with about 10% hydrated lime brought.
5. Grout is a flowing mass of cement or concrete.
How Much of Each?
For maximum cement jobs - to set flagstones or patch a house foundation, you want 1 part of Portland cement to 2½'' components of easy, high-quality sand.
For concrete jobs, the proportion varies depending upon the use to which the concrete is positioned.
For mortar mixes - for playing brick or concrete block or repointing brick - use 1 element mortar cement or 1 element Portland cement with 10% lime brought to 2½^'' elements first-rate, smooth sand plus water.
Basic Tools for Concrete Work (Concrete Resurfacing Houston)
Here are numerous of the basic equipment you need while doing cement or concrete paintings approximately the house:
1. General-cause trowel - for putting cement or concrete while doing any concrete paintings.
2. Pointing trowel - for smaller restore and patching jobs and also finishing information, particularly the joint among rows of brick.
Three. Wood waft - for completing the floor, making it clean however with a gritty texture.
4. Steel waft - for completing the surface, making it clean, slick and difficult.
5. Edger - for finishing sidewalks and large surfaces where rounded corners are favored.
6. Strike board - for striking off the excess of the concrete; it leaves the surface degree.
7. Tamper - for doing away with air inclusions in thick sections of freshly poured concrete.
8. Broom - for finishing floor of concrete jobs with a difficult, non-slip floor.
Making a Measuring Box
When doing any extensive blending of your own cement or concrete, a measuring box is tremendously helpful, specially while using huge quantities. You can make this bottomless measuring container in only some minutes and avoid counting the elements by way of the shovels-complete.
Use ¾'' plywood or 1" thick lumber to make a field with 4 facets - a cubic foot - 12" excessive, 12" huge and 12" deep. Secure the edges with screws set approximately 2" aside. Two short lengths of 2x2 attached on the sides make it smooth to transport the measuring field approximately.
How to Mix
All the ingredients need to be thoroughly blended to do the process. If you have failed to mix the Portland cement with the other substances, you undoubtedly will encounter issue later; the process just won't flip out right. If you observe several primary regulations, you may be able to handle cement and urban like an professional.
1. Mix the cement or concrete near the location where it is for use.
2. Mix the cement or concrete simply earlier than you're geared up to use it. Once combined, the cement or concrete begins to set.
3. You can mix cement or concrete in a wheelbarrow, on any concrete surface or on a sheet of ply-timber. However, as soon as you have got completed pouring the mixture, wash the surface off completely so that no cement or concrete hardens and sticks.
Four. It is first-class for the property owner doing a job to combine about a half a bag of Portland cement with the wished quantities of sand and gravel (when making concrete). This is about the most handy quantity for a handyman to handle at one time.
5. Mix the Portland cement and sand very well when dry. After these two are completely mixed you could upload gravel while making concrete.
6. Only after the gravel is thoroughly blended in with the Portland cement and sand must you upload the water.
7. Always measure the substances - do not simply guess. As a manual, in case you do not have a "measuring container," use a shovel to degree. Remember that 1 shovel of Portland cement is identical to at least one shovel of damp sand or 2 shovels of dry sand or 2 shovels of gravel.
Eight. Follow the method important for the mix you're getting ready. Cement and urban used for exclusive functions incorporate specific proportions of Portland cement, sand and gravel.
9. When blending concrete, the dimensions of the gravel you operate depends upon the thickness of the concrete you are pouring. The gravel must be not much less than one-fourth nor multiple-1/3 the thickness of the concrete mass. For instance, while pouring a 4" thick layer of concrete, use clean, hard gravel in sizes from ¼'' as much as about 1" or 1½''.
READY-MIXED CONCRETE - Relatively new is the availability of already combined concrete from nearby groups. The concrete is introduced in a unique truck and is prepared for pouring in location.
The handyman also can use another shape of prepared-blended concrete; that is bought already jumbled in bags. All he has to do is add the water. This equipped-blended concrete and cement is ready on the factory. Here is all you have to do:
1. Empty the bag of prepared-combined cement, and mix it all over again with the aid of hand whilst nevertheless dry.
2. Add water as targeted on the bag. A proper percentage is one gallon of water to 90 pounds of the concrete aggregate.
Three. Mix thoroughly using a hoe, shovel or trowel.
Four. Use the combination right away; in no case ought to moist combination stand for extra than 45 mins.
Concrete Forms
Many home development initiatives you will adopt involve the making of a wooden form. These bureaucracy should be made of sound lumber, freed from knots and decay. The lumber should be dressed or smoothed on at the least one side due to the fact it's far easier to do away with and leaves a higher end. This is especially vital if the surface is to be painted afterwards.
If the cement of concrete will not be painted afterwards, you may use oil, shellac or varnish over the wood to lead them to less difficult to dispose of.
If the shape is set within the floor, as for sidewalks, stake the outdoor of the form. But if the item you make is separate, as a stone for a stroll, you can set the form on a sheet of tarpaper or roofing paper.
Always align the shape to see that the tops are degree. Also make sure that the concrete fills in all the shape and that there are not any "holes" within the mass.
The Curing Process
When a excessive degree of water-tightness, durability and power is preferred, the cement or concrete need to be cured. Curing is a process that delays the evaporation of the water inside the mix. It lengthens and intensifies the hardening system, that's virtually a chemical reaction among the Portland cement and the water.
The curing procedure keeps so long as water is gift to hydrate the cement. If concrete isn't always wet-cured, the surface dries first, frequently just after finishing, and earlier than hardening of the mass beneath. Thus flooring, sidewalks and all surfaces problem to put on will last longer if they may be wet-cured for several days. Moist-curing of all patch work is important.
The curing system itself is very simple. The cement have to be protected and kept moist. The protecting cloth may be wet burlap, canvas or straw. It ought to be kept wet with the aid of periodic sprinkling for as a minimum 5 days. The protecting ought to be placed on as quickly as it can be performed with out marring the surface.
One of the pleasant coverings for curing is sheet plastic, to be had in huge sizes and in rolls. About three or four hours after the surface of the concrete has been smoothed, it will likely be difficult enough to take the plastic protecting with out sticking. Tack the plastic to the wood forms, where used, or tape it in location with covering tape. The plastic will prevent water evaporation so no periodic sprinkling is important.
Make a "Memory Walk"
A "Memory Walk" leading to your driveway or curving round your lawn may be a source of consistent leisure to the whole own family.
Such a walk is not too tough to make. After your first stones are laid, you have a persevering with task to hold memorable circle of relatives dates alive.
The first stones for the walk can incorporate all of the crucial dates you now have. There should be one with the date of your wedding ceremony; some other for the birthday of your first toddler; if the circle of relatives is developing, have a stone imprinted with the birthday of every child. You would possibly include the date you purchased your first home as well as different dates that convey again reminiscences.
The stones can be crafted from a reliable dry pre-combined concrete that needs most effective the addition of water to make a good workable blend. Use the concrete mix rather than the mortar or sand blend. You need power for the stones.
A simple shape crafted from 2x2 lumber will start you off. You will want 10' to twelve'. Notch close to the ends so the shape will healthy together like a child's constructing logs. In making these bureaucracy, you do not have to be as precise as in cabinet work. In reality, you could be downright sloppy and come out all proper. Be certain the tops are stage, even though, so your stones might be level. Make the forms with inner dimensions approximately feet through toes. This will provide you with rectangular stones, but may not be too tough to handle when you go to lay them. One ninety-pound bag of the dry pre-blended concrete will fill this form with the addition of about one gallon of water. This will provide you with four rectangular ft of stone at a price ranging between 40¢ and forty five¢ consistent with rectangular foot, depending on the part of the u . S . You stay in.
An antique piece of tarpaper can function the bottom while pouring the concrete. If you begin in the course of inclement weather or inside the winter, you could pour the stones on your garage or basement. Let each stone remedy approximately 24 hours, and you can make one every nighttime.
Mix the concrete in a wheelbarrow using a lawn hoe to thoroughly paintings the water into the mixture. Then use a shovel to fill the form. Use a strike board made from scrap lumber to level off the mix. Then waft with a metal trowel to get a clean end. Use an edger to offer a mild curve to the pinnacle of the stones.
After you've got this easy finish, mark the date with a stick or piece of pipe. Use some thing you can deal with without difficulty. You can use script or block printing. Do this soon after you've got smoothed the surface and before the concrete has installation an excessive amount of.
If you want to begin a chain displaying how your children are growing up, have them make footprints within the concrete. Better use old footwear. You can effortlessly scrape the mix off. Leave sufficient space under the footprints with a purpose to mark the date. Then each year on their birthdays, make a new stone with date and footprints. Replace one stone to your walk with the brand new one.
After the stones are completed, lay them in a bed of sand. With a space of multiple inches among each stone, there might be no danger of cracking due to frost. The stones may be approximately two inches thick, in case your shape lumber has been nicely dressed. The spaces among the stones may be packed with sand. Your pathway, of direction, have to be the width of the stones - feet - and the intensity - two inches. You will need to dig the floor out to those dimensions if you want the stroll stage along with your grass. Or, you might wish to sincerely lay the stones out in a walk pattern on top of the grass. By the usage of sand as your laying base, you may maintain the walk bendy for the addition of the brand new stones. Since the stones can be extraordinarily loose, they'll heave all through the wintry weather. But it's no longer a great deal problem to push them returned into location.
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