Whats the parts split for something like concrete for a footing or step or somesuch?

Sand/cement/water ratio in shovels (not for water obviously!) & type of sand?

Need a couple of M sq of concrete...

Don't know if this is any good but we've been laying footings for a garden wall this week and also some new steps.
Been using half inch to dust gravel mixed with cement and water.
6 shovels gravel, 1shovel of cement and 1/4bucket of water.

For the patio we've used sand in place of the gravel.

Bet that's no help what so ever lol
but at least someone is reading DIY at 1am lol

hope you get a better reply soon eh?!

cath

Puff,
For a footing you'll need a mix of 4:2:1 chippings, sand , cement.

When mixing concrete you will find that, while the ballast will heap up nicely on your shovel, the cement will slide off. This will give you incorrect proportions when mixing...1 of cement should be equal to 1 of ballast. It is better to measure your quantities using a bucket to ensure correct proportions. Mixing by hand is a bad idea unless you only have a tiny amount to do. Only very rarely will you be able to get the cement evenly distributed throughout the mix and this leads to weak concrete.

Don't forget to wear gloves as well as the cement can burn your skin.

Chip.

As chip says, 4:2:1 stone:sand:cement.

Easy way to get close to the ratio is to mix 2 bags of stone, one of sand, and a bag of cement (or 1 bag, 1/2 bag, and 1/2 bag). This gets close as the sand & stone come in 40kg bags and cement in 25kg bags. (Based on builders merchant bags - I think some DIY stores sell smaller bags of aggregate).

Type of sand? Just ask for concreting sand at the merchants.

John.

2 cube of conrete doesent sound much, but it's still 4 tons. My local bloke charges 120 for the first cubic metre, 60 for the second, and 40 thereafter, and will deliver to the nearest quater meter.


eg, 2.75 cube = 120+60+30, the smaller companies may do it for cash and wipe the VAT.

As long as you have 2-3 guys, each with a barrow they will wait while you deliver if you let them know first, BTW, theres about 20 barrows per cubic metre.
Mixing concrete by hand is backbreaking work, and it will never be as good as pre mixed, far easier to buy it, have you priced up the difference between the two, I'll bet it won't be much more money for pre mix.