Concrete

Discussion in 'Builders' Talk' started by Ant62, Jun 18, 2020.

  1. Ant62

    Ant62 Member

    ive been trying to buy 20kg bags of ready mixed concrete to fill in two trenches so i can then build two perminent raised flower beds.
    But i cannot get a hold of the stuff so will need to avert to making it so i require volume advice..

    I would like to know how many bags of cement,sand, gravel for each trench..

    Trench one.
    2400mm long
    160mm wide
    200mm deep.

    Trench two.
    3800mm long
    160mm wide.
    200mm deep...
     
  2. My gopher grabbed five bags of rapid set cement and four postcrete plus cement and sand on Monday from the local ( spit ) b&q so the ready mixed stuff can be had but you may have to travel to get it, still cheaper to mix your own I think.
     
  3. WillyEckerslike

    WillyEckerslike Screwfix Select

  4. stevie22

    stevie22 Screwfix Select

    You will need 450-500 kg of dry material total so at 1to6 you want say 70kg cement (3 bags) and 400 kg of all in ballast
     
    WillyEckerslike likes this.
  5. Ant62

    Ant62 Member

    Is the Tarmac Ballast large bag any good!
    Its says a mix of sand n stone for concreting..
     
  6. Ant62

    Ant62 Member


    What is the break down to mix that!
    Is that one bag of cement to 4 bags of sand/aggregate
     
  7. Severntrent

    Severntrent Screwfix Select

    No, 1 to 6
     
  8. Ant62

    Ant62 Member

    1 cement
    6 ballast.
     
  9. furious_customer

    furious_customer Screwfix Select

    also bear in mind that the bags of ballast might not be the same size as the bags of cement.
     
  10. Ant62

    Ant62 Member

    Help chaps..

    I cannot get hold of a cement mixer so im going to hand mix in a barrow....

    What will the ratio mix be in a barrow.......
     
  11. WillyEckerslike

    WillyEckerslike Screwfix Select

    Surprisingly enough it will still be 1:6.

    This is a volume thing. 1 egg cup of cement to 6 egg cups of ballast, 1 bowl of cement to 6 bowls of ballast, 1 shovel of cement to 6 shovels of ballast and so on. Shovels are not easy to keep constant (but egg cups take ages and the ballast is a bit tricky in them)
     
    Dam0n, ginger tuffs, Ant62 and 3 others like this.
  12. Ant62

    Ant62 Member

    Can i cut it down to half cement 3 aggregate.......
     
  13. WillyEckerslike

    WillyEckerslike Screwfix Select

    You missed my edit. So long as the ratio is 1:6 you can do anything.
     
  14. Ant62

    Ant62 Member

    Ive managed to purchase 16 bags of Tarmac aggregate.
    4 25kgs bags if blue circle cement...

    I also think i can get a cement mixer.
    Im doing the 1 to 6 ratio but in half.
    Half cement to 3 aggregate.
    How much water to that mix.....
     
  15. Rick1632

    Rick1632 Active Member

    Add water slowly until you get the right consistency - should be uniform, but hold its shape when you take a handful out and squeeze it. If it's crumbly it's too dry - doesn't hold shape = too wet - add some more dry mix.

    Remember how much you added to the first load - will speed up making the second load.
     
  16. Ant62

    Ant62 Member

    I have a 3ltr bottle here i will use that as a marker..
     
  17. Ant62

    Ant62 Member

    i would.likento say a big thanks people.
    I did the concreting for the footings took an hr n half...
    So thanks......
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice