Dry mix concrete, as the name suggests, has no water or liquid added during the preparation and bagging stage. To make the dry concrete mortar, the cement, sand, and aggregate are thoroughly and evenly mixed until a consistent texture is attained. This concrete can be stored in bags or in bulks to be mixed with water at the construction site. Bags can be transported using vehicles or, in large quantities, by a concrete transit mixer. You can either buy the bags from the store for smaller projects or buy the components separately and mix them together yourself. The latter is a great way to save yourself a lot of money on bigger projects.
What Makes Up Dry Mix Concrete
Concrete is made up of different ratios of cement, sand, and aggregate. The most commonly used concrete mix is made up of one part Portland cement, two parts sand, and three parts aggregates. The ratios are adjusted to increase the strength according to the project. The sand for the dry mix concrete is dried first. Drying the sand gives an accurate ratio and, the final quality of the mortal after construction is better.
How Does Dry Mix Concrete Work?
To use the dry concrete mix in construction, water or other specified liquid has to be added to the mixture and mixed evenly at the area of construction. Cement mixes with water through the hydration process and binds the aggregates. Without water, the mixture remains just as aggregates. Concrete can be used for foundations, roads, paving purposes, and other masonry structures.
The dry mix concrete has a shelf life of three to six months.
How Does Dry Mix Concrete Differ From Wet Mix Concrete?
The simple difference between dry mix concrete and wet wet concrete is that the water has been added prior to you receiving it.
The wet concrete mix is fed onto the construction site directly or through a hose. The wet mixture has up to a 24 hours shell life depending on the mix and surrounding environment, after which it condenses and cannot be used. This mix can only be transported by using a concrete mixer truck, to ensure that the wet mortar does not delaminate or segregate during transportation.
How To Use Dry Mix Concrete
Dry mix concrete is mainly used in small and medium-sized projects such as pavement or driveway repairs. Work starts by gathering the materials and tools needed. Prep the work area by cleaning the area of dirt and debris. Use a stiff brush to clean cracks and holes in the working surface. Set any formwork and mesh as needed for the project to increase the strength of the area.
Equipment Needed For Dry Mix Concrete:
- the dry mix concrete
- a mixing surface
- a shovel
- clean water
You may also want to get some personal protective gear to protect you against dust and debris from the cement, like:
- mouth or nose mask
- thick work gloves
- safety goggles
Mixing Dry Mix Concrete
Firstly, decide on the quantity of the dry mix concrete to use. The quantity used is determined using the volume and the packaging yield. The dry mix is packed in 20, 40, and 80 pounds units. It is a good idea to mix half the quantity first, then saving the rest for later to avoid it from going to waste. If the project is large, you can consider using a concrete mixer.
- In a work surface area or a wheel barrow for small projects, pour the dry mix in the direction of the wind to avoid breathing in the dust.
- Next, make a well (small hole) in the middle of the dry mix and pour some water into it. Don’t worry about water splashing around as you will have to evenly mix until a workable consistency is achieved.
- Use volume and not weight to determine the water to be used. The 80 pounds dry concrete mix needs about a gallon of water.
- Use the shovel to mix the water and the concrete. Move the shovel-like you are canoeing, moving the shovel up and down till all the concrete mixes with water.
- Mix for a minute or two until all the concrete mixes with water. Concrete mixing with water hardens through hydration to gain strength.
- To test if it’s the right consistency, take a handful of the prepared concrete mixture, and if it forms a solid round shape when pressed in the palm of your hand, then it’s too dry. If it runs through your fingers, then it has too much water.
Too much water and the concrete will bleed off the project area and lose its strength. Getting to the right consistency takes experience.
Laying Dry Mix Concrete
- Finally, place the concrete into the working area form, using the shovel to smoothen.
- Use a screed board to smoothen and compact the work area to remove trapped air and voids while placing the concrete.
- Finish off laying the concrete according to your project specifications and barricade the area to prevent people from stepping on it and ruining the work.
- Lastly, clean off the area around, remove the concrete bags and clean your work tools ready for storage.
- Sprinkle water into the work area for a week until it cures completely.
Advantages of Using Dry-Mix Concrete For Home DIY Projects
The advantages of using dry mix concrete are:
- It is easy to mix yourself for small jobs. Bigger jobs can be done with a concrete mixer
- Wet mix concrete companies have a minimum quantity that they charge per order meaning you spend more than you may need to
- It is also easy to clean up
- The dry concrete mix technology has minimal wastage and makes less mess.
