Semi Dry Concrete Mix For Sleepers
Work it to the perfect concrete mix ratio.
Semi dry concrete mix for sleepers. I am laying slabs to make a patio area its approx 15m square and im not sure whether to use a wet or dry mix for the mortar bed. My question is this. You may want to leave behind some concrete mixture for haunching at the back of the edging. Any residual dampness will cause the sand cement mix to stick and will probably result in a stain.
This dry mix seems a lot easier than using the damp mix and would take a lot less time. The advantage of a dry cement mix is that whilst constructing the wall you can take out and re position the railway sleepers without getting wet concrete everywhere. Another thing im not sure on is the spacing to leave in between the slabs 5mm or 10mm. If not simply use a watering can or hose.
Consequently this is a technique that is only really practical during the summer months. If the ground is damp the concrete will set without having to add water. How to mix cement to make a mortar or concrete mix. Mortar mixes are often used dry for bedding fence posts.
I have bought some old railway sleepers very heavy and i want to make a box out of them. Allow to semi dry and then add the longest bits of wood into the ground. Create a concrete mixture and lay this in the bottom of the trench around 50mm. Use a dry ish building sand plastering sand or if so desired a kiln dried jointing sand.
I thought the best way to do this is concrete it in considering i am doing a patio now as well. Start building up subsequent layers with shorter lengths of wood. It s tempting to just squirt water into the dry concrete mix with a hose and mix up a soupy batch of concrete. If the mixed concrete looks like the mix in step 9 it s ready to pour.
The surface of the paving must be completely dry. A dry mix is immediately mechanically stable whereas a wet mix is more likely to allow the post to move until set. Cement mixing is a great diy skill to master and can be applied to a huge range of outdoor building projects around your home. For the pointing i was going to leave the slabs to set for 24 hrs and then do another mix of damp mortar with ratio of 3 1 sand cement is this ok.
I have bought the long screws to fix them together but i also want to fix the first one to the ground. As this is the first time ive done this i am thinking the dry mix would be easier but is it going to set properly its only going to be for walking on.