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How to Properly Mix Concrete
by TRP Ready Mix on April 7, 2017
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Ready Mixed Concrete
Are you working on a concrete project? Then you want to make sure your concrete is strong so it will last a long time. To get the most out of your ready mixed concrete, it must be mixed properly. Concrete that is mixed with too much water will be weak—about half as strong as properly mixed concrete—and prone to cracking. And if you don’t use enough water, your concrete mix won’t stick together and will end up crumbling.
For small jobs, you can mix concrete in a wheelbarrow or a plastic tub. For large jobs, order readymix concrete from concrete suppliers who will deliver and mix the concrete for you in a truck. These concrete experts will not only mix the concrete properly, but they can also pour the concrete to make your job much easier. Ordering your concrete ready mixed from a supplier is often the most economical choice for concrete projects because you can order the exact amount you will need. But if your project is small and you’re up for DIY concrete mixing, follows these tips to get the most out of your concrete.
Tools & Materials You Will Need
- Rubber gloves,
- Safety glasses,
- A dust mask,
- A strong hoe,
- A large bucket,
- A scrub brush (with stiff bristles),
- A wheelbarrow or plastic tub, and
- A 60- or 90-lb bag of concrete mix.
Add Water to Concrete Mix
- Place the bag of concrete mix in one end of your wheelbarrow;
- Slice it open with the hoe;
- Dump the mix into the wheelbarrow and pull out the bag;
- Set aside a few cups of concrete mix;
- In the other end of the wheelbarrow, pour a measured amount of water from a bucket (amount will depend on concrete bag size);
- Mixing only a little at a time, use the hoe to pull a bit of the concrete mix into the water;
Mix Concrete Thoroughly
- Use your knee to steady yourself against the wheelbarrow as you mix the concrete;
- If the concrete is too dry (crumbling), add more water one cup at a time, and thoroughly mix;
- If the concrete is too wet (soupy), add leftover dry concrete mix;
- Your concrete is properly mixed and ready to pour when the concrete stays put along the sides of the wheelbarrow and has a slightly shiny surface when patted with the hoe.
Clean Up Before the Concrete Hardens
Once you’ve poured your concrete, make sure to clean up all the tools before the concrete hardens and becomes too difficult to clean.
- Pile excess concrete scraped from the wheelbarrow onto a sheet of plastic;
- Scrub hoe and wheelbarrow with scrub brush and water;
- Rinse with a hose;
- Since the rinse water will kill grass, find a safe area on your property to dump the rinse water;
- You can dig an area to pour the water and cover after the hole drains.
- For more tips on mixing and pouring concrete, contact your local readymix concrete supplier.
