Creating a concrete mix isn’t hard. For some projects, you won’t even need to hire a contractor to get it done. If you’re into doing your own home improvement projects and need to create a concrete mix, here’s the basics steps for getting it done. Keep in mind you always want to refer to the instructions that come with the mix for best results. In the meantime, here’s the basic steps to follow.
Before you begin, you’ll need the following materials:
Once you have the above materials, you can get started.
You’ll want to dump the concrete mix into your bucket. Then, you’ll want to add water in slow batches instead of dumping a lot in at once. This prevents you from creating a soupy mixture and ruining your concrete mix.
Use the shovel to mix the concrete and water together, adding more water as necessary in small batches. You can then use the hoe to drag the concrete mix back and forth which will tell you whether it’s too dry or too wet. If too dry, add one cup of water and try again until you get the right consistency. If too wet, add more mix and repeat the process until you get it right.
Many concrete mixers prefer to use a wheelbarrow instead of a bucket to mix concrete. This allows them to move the concrete easier once mixed for the project. If using a wheelbarrow, make sure you’re on a level surface and use your foot to stop the wheelbarrow from moving when mixing the concrete. A wheelbarrow also allows you to mix more concrete at a time instead of doing it in batches.
Once mixed properly, pull out your tools and wash them immediately. This prevents the concrete mix from setting on the tools. You’ll need to move the concrete into place relatively quickly, too to get started with your project.
Mixing concrete isn’t hard. It just takes the right tools and the effort to get started with your project right away.
