There's a trick to every trade ...
here is a selection for concreting and cementing.
 Turn a loaded trowel upside down. To test for the right
consistency of mortar … if the mix sticks, it’s okay.
Mix oxides, with
dry cement products, in large batches, for consistency of colour
in concrete or mortar mix … avoid small mixes.
When mixing
concrete mortar by hand, form a heap, make a crater, pour a
little water and push in the walls with a shovel without letting
water escape.
Improve the finish
on a new concrete slab by dusting dry cement on the still wet
surface and trowelling off.
The best time to
‘point’ mortar joints is after the mortar has become firm to
touch.
To prevent
cracking later on, when laying a slab, ensure that the area is
completely free of roots and plant matter to a depth of 150mm.
Add loose abrasive
grain or very fine gravel to the final layer of concrete for a
non-slip surface.
When laying bricks
clean mortar off the face of bricks immediately with a wet
scrubbing brush without wetting the joints. Once hardened,
mortar is very difficult to easily remove.
Never store cement
based products directly in contact with the ground. Store on dry
boards or plastic sheet in a dry area and cover with a tarp.
Compacting and
tamping concrete well into formwork will help ensure high
strength and good a finish.
You may still
use
cement that’s gone partly lumpy during storage, but only where
strength is not an important factor.
Until it has
hardened, always protect new concrete against rain.
When loading a
wheel barrow, always place the bulk of the load over the wheel
to make total task easier for the user.
 All cement based
premixes should be thoroughly dry mixed before water is added,
to ensure an even mix.
Concreting on
extremely hot days should be avoided due to the evaporation of
water when mixing and curing. Lightly spray completed concrete
slab during the first day and/or cover with wet Hessian bags
while curing.
When making
concrete stairs make the final finish on the tread with a
wooden
float, this will produce a
slightly rough surface
to prevent slipping.
If you wouldn’t
drink the water you are using to mix a cement based product …
then don’t use it.
To create a good
bond
when laying new concrete to existing
concrete, thoroughly clean join and prime with PVA adhesive
before laying. |
