Readers ask: What Concrete To Use?

What is the best type of concrete?

A Strong Start: The Best Concrete Mix for Every DIY Project

• BEST FOR TRADITIONAL CONCRETE SURFACES: Quikrete Concrete Mix.
• BEST FOR PROJECTS REQUIRING EXTRA STRENGTH: Quikrete 5000 Concrete Mix.
• BEST FOR SETTING POSTS: Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix.
• BEST FOR BUILDING CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS: Quikrete Countertop Mix.

What kind of concrete do you use for a slab?

A concrete mix of 1 part cement: 2 parts sand: 4 parts coarse aggregate should be used for a concrete slab. Concrete must be placed within half an hour of mixing. Place your concrete into your formwork; work the concrete into awkward places and corners using a shovel or trowel.

Should I use cement or concrete?

Concrete works well in larger projects, while cement is more often used in smaller jobs. One of the strongest and longest-lasting materials known to man, concrete is used to build schools, bridges, sidewalks, and countless other structures. But you don’t need a hard hat to have success with concrete.

Is quikrete as good as concrete?

Quikrete premixed concrete is just as good, and strong, as traditional concrete you buy from a plant or concrete you mix on site. Concrete is made from sand, cement and aggregate stone and that’s exactly what’s in Quikrete premixed concrete. it’s very strong and sets much quicker than traditional concrete.

What is the smoothest concrete?

QUIKRETE® Fiber-Reinforced Concrete, because of its high strength and smooth surface finish, is the best choice for the cast projects that follow.

What is the strongest concrete mix ratio?

A strong concrete mix would be something like 1:3:5 (Cement, Sand, Coarse Gravel). In this case, both the sand and gravel are the aggregate.

Do you need gravel under concrete?

Whether you pour concrete for a walkway or patio, a strong gravel base is required to prevent the concrete from cracking and shifting. Gravel is especially important in clay soil because it doesn’t drain well, which results in water pooling under the concrete slab and slowly eroding the soil as it finally drains.

Is sand a good base for concrete?

Pour concrete over a solid, well-drained base

of sand or gravel over clay and other poorly draining soils to provide even support.

Is it cheaper to mix your own concrete?

One of the least expensive ways to get concrete is to mix your own. You can buy bags of the mix from a home improvement store. Typically, you only have to add water for it to be ready to pour. Otherwise, you risk getting a weaker concrete once it cures, which could lead to cracks or crumbles within a couple of years.

Is concrete waterproof?

Concrete is not waterproof. Despite not immediately seeing water leak through a slab of concrete, water does get through the spaces in between its particles. And water can break the concrete down eventually, causing it to chip off or leak through and allowing more water to cause more damage.

What’s difference between cement and concrete?

What is the difference between cement and concrete? Although the terms cement and concrete often are used interchangeably, cement is actually an ingredient of concrete. Concrete is a mixture of aggregates and paste. Cement comprises from 10 to 15 percent of the concrete mix, by volume.

How long will concrete last?

For larger projects such as buildings and homes, the concrete should last 30 to 100 years or more depending on the construction style as well as method of installation. Many times, a concrete shell of a building or home can be reused when the other materials such as wood begin to deteriorate.

How many bags of concrete do I need for a 10×20 slab?

A 60-pound bag yields. 017 cubic yards, and an 80-pound bag yields. 022 cubic yards. For a 10 x 10 slab, you would need 77 60-pound bags or 60 80-pound bags.

What are the 5 types of cement?

• Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) Ordinary Portland cement is the most widely used type of cement, which is suitable for all general concrete construction.
• Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)
• Rapid Hardening Cement.
• Quick setting cement.
• Low Heat Cement.
• Sulfates Resisting Cement.
• Blast Furnace Slag Cement.
• High Alumina Cement.

What is the recommended psi for a concrete patio?

3,000 PSI. The residential workhorse of concrete, 3,000 PSI can be used for driveways, patios and sidewalks. Its durability will help shrug off the freeze-thaw cycle of harsh winters. This is a fine choice for any general construction use.