Mixing Concrete
 

I need to fill a hole in my basement slab, which was cut using a concrete saw, to repair a bit of drain pipe. I'd guess the amount of concrete I need is not more than 1/3 yards. Likely much less. Maybe 3 SF. I may be able to source one of those small mixers. If not, can't I just mix this mud up in a big plastic pan?

I have a concrete trowel. I think I know which end is the handle. :)

You can purchase premixed bags of concrete at Home Depot, Lowes, or places like that. I think they weigh about 80 lbs each and cost about $4.00 per bag for the 4,000 lb stuff. Just add water and mix it up with a shovel in a wheel barrow next to where you will be working until you have a good consistent mixture and pour in the hole. One yard of concrete is good for 98 square feet when the depth is 3.5" so you won't need much if you only have 3 square feet...Maybe two to three bags give or take.

3 SF at 4" to 6" thick is only 3 60# bags.

If you have a heavy duty corded drill, I use a 5 gallon pail and one of these: Paddle Mixer

For small amounts I use a 5 gallon plastic pail and a 1/2 hp drill (big drill) with a mud paddle (used for mixing drywall mud) on it. It's surprising how little water is actually needed to mix up a bag.

Shop around for your concrete. Menards has 60 lbs bags of pre-mix for $2.00 or around that on sale.

HD sells mixing boxes (plastic troughs) get a couple bags of concrete mix, one of the boxes, and a flat shovel (the shovel is rectangular, not rounded). Those items and your trowel are all you need. Use the shovel to mix the crete and shovel it into place. Put 1 3/4 bags of dry mix in the trough, use the shovel to make a bowl in the center. Pour half the recommended water in the “bowl” mix mix mix, add more water until you either get the right consistency (a heavy paste) or you over do it. If it gets too soupy add some mix from the 3/4 bag you set aside. Shovel into place. Smooth with trowel.

Put the mix in a five gallon bucket add water put the top on and roll it around on its side a few minutes, flip it on it's lid a few times to get stuff off the bottom. When ready take the top off pour the mixture into the hole. Repeat as necessary to fill the hole. Use a trowel and a float to level and finish.

I use the wheelbarrow but have used 5 gallon buckets too. Mix with shovel. Use less water than you think.

I know a good idea when I see it. :cool:

I can't take the credit, I learned it from Bob Villa about twenty years ago on this old house. I use it all the time. You can even down size for small patch jobs using a wonton container.

Good luck with he project. SmileWavy

I've got a concrete mixer but have never used it. A wheel barrow is so much better.

Arghhh...I can still hear the calls for "More Mud!" from when I was a mason's laborer during college.

I discovered in my teenage years working for a local dirty contractor that you don't really mix concrete. Instead, you drag the dry concrete into the pool of water in the middle of the wheel barrel. Continue doing that until you get a certain consistency then dump it on your form. In my entire life, I mixed no more then 20 wheel barrels of concrete so I am no expert but I have seen the men do it more time then I would care to admit.

Funny.

My concrete guy shouts: "Looks like we are short, We need a few more bags, who's going to get the goddamn thing."

Me: "Oh, client just pulled up. Have to go see em."

Bags of ready mix and a mortar tub from H.D. The bags of ready mix are 2/3 c.f. so you'd need about 14 bags for a third of a yard.

They vary in size (and can in price too I discovered..stores 1 mi apart!) ...40-80lb bags here. I bought about 25 bags a couple of years ago ....the less H2O...the stronger it will be.....just enough to work it.

Use a hoe and a wheelbarrow. Put the concrete mix in first. Make a hole in the mix, put water in the hole sparingly. You’ll need less than a gallon for an 80# bag so start with about 1/2 a gallon and add as needed. Work it back and forth until the water is mixed in.

Put the concrete in the floor and agitate it to push the stone down a little. Using a 2x4 long enough to span the hole, screed off the concrete to the correct elevation.

When the concrete has cured to the point that it can withstand some pressure from the flat of the trowel start smoothing it with the trowel, gradually increasing speed until you’ve got the desired finish.


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Raw unmixed cement dust is very caustic, and bad for your lungs. Don't be mixing it in a basement or stick your head into a cloud of said dust while mixing.

Dumping it from the bag....hold breath, dump & run....preferably up wind :). The beginning of a great workout....

LOL, so you'll pay $40.00 for that vs. use a five gallon bucket you likely have free in your garage? or worst case $2.50 new including lid at HD or Lowes? :confused: