concrete

Ignoring cost what do people think is the best electric cement mixer. I currently have a belle but it's at end of live. I have no issue with it but just wonder if there is anything better out there.

I'm trying to sort out a builder laying outdoor concrete for a plinth in cold weather, around 0-2oC. Is there an additive e.g. PVA SBR 503, that can be added to allow the concrete to set in 2oC? Thanks

Hi, So I'm just wanting some feedback here on what methods are best for wooden shed/outbuilding foundations? I've seen many different methods: • In a paved area, laying the timber floor frame down and levelling it with wood block "stilts" then placing supporting blocks under the frame once...

Hi everyone I recently bought a house built in 1975, in my great wisdom I did not get a full survey done and the latest problem is that the drive is angled towards the house pooling water, the bricks below dpc are wet but not above, I'm having to prioritise repairs and am intending to get...

Hi, im building a deck for my neighbour. When i built our deck i did it the proper way and honestly it could survive an earthquake but my neighbour doesnt have a lot of money to spend and she said she's fine spending less money and only having it last a few years rather than spending more and...

We have recently moved into a new build with a concrete floor throughout the downstairs. The concrete is quite rough and pockmarked (though there’s no particularly large variations and it’s level). We were wanting to do a stencilled floor design painted onto the concrete in the kitchen but we’d...

Looking for some advice on how to extend a garage floor to accommodate new garage door frame. The existing floor is 2.3m wide but short short of 18cm to allow the bottom of the new steel frame to be bolted down.Current base appears to be about 10-12 cm thick. I need to know the best way to pour...

I have an M8 threaded stud that I intend to fix into what I believe to be Thermalite but I'm not sure how big the hole should be for the chemical fixing. If it helps, the product I will use is the Fischer FIS V 360 S...

Hi everyone, I would like to mount my 49" curved monitor which weighs around 14kg to my wall. I've recently purchased a TV wall mount which holds up to a maximum of 60kg which is more than enough - I intend to use it flat against the wall. However, the wall I'd like to mount these things to is...

Hey every one, I am just wondering what products every uses for cure and sealing drive ways. And what kind of prices am I looking at ?

Hi, I am renovating our house and when removing the old heating system, it also removed some of the concrete that was poured along the length of the patio door (the pipes were buried inside of it). What am I best to fill this with, given that it will be a high-traffic area going out the back...

So I have to cement some dense blocks on top of another max 3 high to make concrete pier supports for a supported joist timber frame but the blocks are wet from the constant rain and are in situ but not concreted in yet. The question is will it be OK to mortar these in place into ground with...

I have been renovating a property, when we first lifted the kitchen tiles we saw the ply had a large damp stain around the sink. I have now removed the sink and the old chip board flooring to find the problem. I am pretty sure the problem comes from where the wall has been knocked through into...

I was prepping the walls getting them ready for the plasterer to come in. A chunk of loose old lime plaster came off down to the brickwork. Should I apply a layer of cement render and key it or just wait for the plasterer to apply bonding undercoat on it when he comes in. Its a good 4cm deep...

Hi all, I will immediately admit that I am no builder. I am in the process of planning a new studio, of which I (hope) to do most of the work myself, although if it goes anything like this first ever pour, maybe I'll reconsider! A very brief explanation of what I'm trying to do. I have an...

Hi, I’d like to make planters, pots, trays, candle holders, soap dishes etc using ‘concrete’. I’m after a smooth surface finish. Should I be using cement, concrete, mortar, postcrete or some other? Im pretty confused about it all! For a tray, I’d be looking for it to be quite strong / no...

Hi, Is using a mini dumper a feasible solution for moving ready-mix concrete? It looks like it is increasingly becoming my only option. I need to move 2.1m³ of concrete for a shed/workshop/garage base about 90m from the roadside. There is access up a road but it won't accommodate a heavy...

Hi all! I'm looking to create either a smooth concrete worktop, or table and wanted some advice on the concrete mix.... There is a stack of advice in the USA about products, but most of them aren't available here. So, I need a nice strong concrete mix that's going to give me a really smooth...

I had two section cut out of my path to replace the lead pipe, now I want to fill. I've dug out 100mm of soil, I plan to hand compact the soil and lay the concrete. Is it worth digging some more a lay a hardcore base? Hole are approximately 20x30cm and 30x50cm.

Hello, I was wondering if someone could help me. I use screwfix forums all the time to help me in DIY and all sorts, but i haven't been able to find a substantive answer to my question. Myself and my partner recently purchased our first home together, and we chose not to pay the huge amount...