Dilution of cement proportions. Proportions of components for preparing cement-sand mortar. Preparing the mixture for pouring the floor

Dilution of cement proportions.  Proportions of components for preparing cement-sand mortar.  Preparing the mixture for pouring the floor
Dilution of cement proportions. Proportions of components for preparing cement-sand mortar. Preparing the mixture for pouring the floor

Cement is the main component of most buildings and other structures. Today it is difficult to find buildings that did not use cement in their construction. It is very elastic, easy to use and prepare, durable, and the low cost of the product determines its popularity. Due to a number of advantages, the reason for its active spread becomes obvious. It is worth mentioning right away that cement is used only as part of a mixture; in dry form it is not suitable for construction; the cement must first be diluted.

Basic factors

The key question is how to cook, and at the same time correctly. If cooked incorrectly, it is doomed to rapid destruction. The formed building will begin to crumble, over time layers will begin to peel off, and the release from the outside of the wall increases.

All these factors provoke, in the near future, the reconstruction of the building or one of its elements.

Correct placement of cement can only be done by knowing its purpose, since the corresponding requirements are provided for each individual type.

Formula – brand of cement / required brand of mortar = amount of sand in fractional form. For example, to create a mortar M100 from cement, you simply need to calculate 400/100 = 4, this is the ratio of sand or other filler to cement. That is, for 1 bucket of cement you need to add 4 sand.

Besides calculation formula exist general recommendations, so the ratio 1 to 3 is commonly used.

For 1 part cement, 3 parts sand are used, although in some specific situations the condition is not fair.

Nevertheless, a similar pattern is suitable for most options.

How to stir

To create a solution, the amount of sand has already been determined; now you need to use the tool. At large quantities required A concrete mixer is best, which independently mixes all components.

When small volumes of mixture are required, it is enough to have a drill with a mixing attachment, it will quickly and effectively bring the solution into a homogeneous state. Should not be asked big number revolutions initially, since cement is very volatile.

As a last resort, make sure you have trowels, a spatula or any other tool for mixing the mixture.

For the correct solution, you should follow the basic recommendations:

  • Initially, water is poured into the container. Usually the amount of water is calculated from a 1 to 1 ratio with cement. When the sand contains a certain amount of moisture, this coefficient can be reduced slightly;
  • immerse half of all sand in water;
  • all the cement is poured at once. Now you need to thoroughly stir the mixture, about 2 minutes will be enough for the procedure;
  • the sand that remains must be added to the solution. Mix again using your chosen method;
  • Check the consistency and, if there is a need for a thinner mass, add more water. The consistency greatly depends on the purpose of the solution.

Experienced builders point out several main factors that are characteristic of properly prepared cement mortar. First of all, it is important to make sure that the mixture stays on the trowel and does not have a layer of water, due to which everything falls off, which is typical for poor stirring.

It is necessary to mix the solution thoroughly otherwise areas with increased content cement and a low amount of sand, or vice versa, will instantly crack. It should also be remembered that cement is added to water, and not vice versa.

For more information on how to properly mix cement mortar, watch the video:

How to dilute and mix for plaster

The principle of creating consistency is somewhat different when preparing a solution for plaster. In some cases additional impurities are added.

To prepare the mixture you should:

  • mix cement and sand in a container using a ratio of 1 to 3 (1 part cement and 3 parts sand). It is necessary to take cement grades M150, M200, they showed themselves best when plastering interior spaces. For increased strength, you can use M300, but it is more often used for outdoor work;
  • gradually add water and stir the solution, its amount usually corresponds to 1 to 1 to cement;
  • If necessary, you can add lime or clay; these components soften the composition and make it easier to apply thin layers. For lime, the ratio is 0.5-0.7 to 1 share of sand;

  • check for proper consistency.

If due to any errors you get a thick solution, you need to add more water; otherwise, you can add a little to the mixture, but this may negatively affect the homogeneity of the mass. Some people add a thickener in this case.

It should be noted that time to use the mixture is limited. Most solutions must be used within 1.5 hours; some, such as concrete, can be easily used within 1 hour.

If the solution is not developed during this time, it will begin to harden and will no longer be plastic; applying such a consistency will lead to its crumbling soon.

Proportions of cement mortar for masonry, screed and concrete

Brick requires a slightly different ratio, so the 1 to 4 pattern is usually applied. In this case, M300 or M400 cement is used.

In some cases, to ensure greater plasticity and viscosity, slaked lime with a ratio of 0.25 to 1 cement.

You can test experimentally to obtain the desired consistency by placing the mixture on a plane with an inclination angle of 40 degrees. When the mixture flows, you need to thicken it somewhat, if it stays in place, then it turned out perfect.

The floor screed uses a standard proportion of 1 to 3. M400 cement is used. Water is added slightly less than 50% of the volume of cement, but when laying cement screed You can practically pour it on the ground unlimited amount water, the excess will go away on its own, helping to perfectly level the floor and somewhat compact the surface.

In this case, if you draw a pattern on the mixture, it should gradually tighten. The preparation of concrete differs significantly due to the fact that it is needed in large quantities and increased strength.

Therefore, in addition to the main fillers, crushed stone or gravel should also be used. The proportion for preparation is 1 cement to 2 sand to 4 crushed stone or gravel.

For greater stability of the foundation, you can increase the amount of crushed stone by 1 or 2 parts.

Translating the patterns into numbers, it turns out that for 30 kg of cement it is necessary to use 60-90 kg of sand, 150 kg of crushed stone and about 30-40 liters of water.

In order to mix cement with sand efficiently, it is necessary to take into account the condition of the sand itself. Quite often it is collected illegally on beaches, and therefore does not undergo any processing.

Thus, the sand contains a large number of debris, shells are not a problem, but debris, soil, roots and other organic matter can cause significant harm. Previously sand should be sifted on a sieve with a mesh width of 3x3 mm.

Then pay attention to the color of the sand, if any dark shade, then it probably contains a lot of impurities of earth and dust. It is necessary to pour the sand into a container in advance and fill it with water. Stir it little by little and the debris will begin to float.

Currently, it is impossible to imagine any repair without the use of cement. all about the characteristics of M400 cement.

Sand is a free-flowing mixture that is formed as a result of the destruction of various rocks under the influence of water. By clicking on, you will find out how much sand is in a ton.

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Then drain the water, you may have to repeat the procedure several times if the sand is very dirty. You should also check the consistency of the cement; it should not be lumpy. Normal consistency is considered homogeneous; if this is not the case, then the resulting lumps should be sifted and crushed.

A bunch of experienced builders It is recommended to add liquid soap to the mixture. It increases the plasticity of the solution. In this way, cement should be diluted with about 100 ml of soap added to it. If it is necessary to create plaster in large layers Plasticizing additives may be added.

The advantage of this approach is that after application, the mixture is easily formed and hardens, which is difficult to achieve with a large layer of cement. Hardening means covering with a hard surface.

In construction, the approach is called "false grasp". Despite the visual hardness of the material, it hardens even longer than without the use of a plasticizer. "False apprehension" has negative impact on the cement compaction process.

In small volumes the mixture dries quite quickly, but this negative factor. It is important that there is a gradual equalization of the amount of moisture in the cement. If it is too hot outside or indoors, the outside of the mixture is covered with a dried crust, and the inside is still wet cement.

Cracks may appear on the outside, which leads to deformation of the building. To prevent this effect, wet the surface using a spray bottle.

In general, the solidification of the solution is indicated by its lightening, so it becomes clear that the moisture has evaporated. Not everything is always so obvious, for example, a screed, especially one more than 20 cm deep, takes a long time to dry, even when it is not visually visible. To find out if the screed is dry and start further work you can use oilcloth.

Cover the screed overnight and check for condensation in the morning. In general, the screed mixture takes about 7 days to dry. After hardening, it must be taken into account that cement acquires full strength only after 30 days, provided average daily temperature above 10 degrees.

At the moment of acquisition of final hardness, it is already possible to carry out other work, preferably not involving a strong deforming effect on the cement.

conclusions

Cement is an extremely convenient resource to use, has high strength and can be combined from various types fillers.

Using additional slag, plasticizers, liquid soap, clay, etc. You can achieve a variety of mixture parameters.

The only drawback, and only a conditional one, is the difficulty of mixing in the absence of special equipment. The main component of most building mixtures cement is used, its brand, quality and activity have a direct impact on the main performance characteristics: strength, setting time, crack resistance, moisture and frost resistance. This binder is recommended to be mixed with sand in strict adherence to proportions, which in turn depend on the purpose of the composition. Properly prepared cement mortar has a uniform structure without lumps, unmixed dry areas, and does not delaminate (except heavy concrete

) and retains plasticity for 1 hour.

Features and nuances of breeding

To obtain a high-quality mixture or concrete, a number of requirements are met:

1. Only fresh binder is used. Portland cement, with or without additives, begins to lose activity after 2-3 months; after six months, its strength grade decreases even in packaged form. It is not recommended to mix fresh and crumpled or wet cement.

2. Sand and other types of filler are pre-prepared: washed to remove silt, dried, and sorted for large debris. When mixing small volumes of plaster or leveling compounds, it is recommended to mix sand and cement taking into account the selected proportions and sift them together. 3. All formulations can only be diluted clean water

4. Cement and sand are combined without delay or pre-soaking. The recommended sequence of adding components depends on the mixing method. When using mixers or mixers - from the smallest grain to crushed stone (liquid is poured in first, then the size of the poured fractions increases), simultaneous input of binder and sand is allowed. At manual kneading All ingredients are first mixed in a container in dry form, then they should be diluted with water - thoroughly, in small portions, within the selected W/C ratio.

5. Mix the components until the air bubbles are completely expelled, but no longer than 15 minutes.

6. Plasticizers and similar additives require caution. Some of them (liquid soap, lime) must be diluted with water in advance, others are introduced at last minutes stirring. When using dissolvable impurities, it is important to leave some water for them from the total dose. It is not recommended to exceed the selected W/C ratio in any case.

To mix manually, you should select large capacity, it will be easier to dilute the ingredients in it. But the best results are achieved when using construction mixers or concrete mixers; the former are recommended when preparing small portions, the latter when working with concrete. Tools with a high speed of revolutions are not required; due to the rapid setting of cement, this is fraught with its overuse.

Component ratios depending on the type of mixtures

Classic proportions are 1:3 (C and P, respectively). There is a clear rule: the strength grade of the binder cannot be lower than the class mortar. This requirement is key; all proportions are measured based on the proportion of Portland cement. In practice, this means that if it is necessary to prepare a composition with the M100 brand and use PC M400 as a binder, it will be necessary to dilute cement with sand in a ratio of no more than 1:4. For M200 they are 1:2 and so on. Permissible minimum depending on the purpose:

  • M50-M100 - when preparing compositions for laying bricks and cinder blocks.
  • M100-M200 - when mixing leveling mixtures for floor screed.
  • M200 (more is better) – for concreting foundation structures any type.
  • M50-M100 – for plasters.

First, you should choose the brand of the required mortar. Binder is purchased 1-2 weeks before the start of work; sand and crushed stone can be purchased earlier (provided there is a suitable site for their storage). It is necessary to dilute the components with water after preparing all working surfaces; the resulting mixtures are consumed within an hour.

1. Rules for concrete.

Compositions based on Portland cement and sand with coarse filler are used when pouring building foundations, floors and load-bearing walls. Maximum Requirements extend to the concrete for the foundations, this structure is subject to constant loads. The recommended proportions in this case are 1:2:4 or 1:3:5 when using M400 or M500 and the W/C ratio is within 0.5-0.7. To achieve plasticity, you can introduce a small amount of plasticizers ( liquid soap- no more than 50-100 g per bowl of a concrete mixer, factory ones - according to the instructions), most of them need to be diluted with water.

In addition to the correctly chosen proportions for the foundation, the quality of the ingredients has a direct impact on the properties of concrete. This type of structure supports the weight of the entire building and is subject to freezing in winter and exposure to ground and atmospheric moisture. Minimum acceptable brand crushed stone is M1200, sand is needed clean and coarse (not artificial). The components and their ratios are selected taking into account not only the expected strength class, but also the required frost and moisture resistance, and if necessary, air-entraining additives are introduced.

2. Proportions for filling the floor.

To level the screed, it is recommended to dilute 1 part of Portland cement M400 with three sands, the minimum W/C ratio is 0.5, the final grade is M150. The resulting solution should be easily pulled by a spatula or trowel; it is important to achieve maximum homogeneity (impossible with manual mixing). Good results observed when adding a small proportion of plasticizers, they do not affect the strength, but improve ductility and adhesion, the mixture is better distributed over the floor.

3. How to dilute the masonry composition?

During construction brickwork The optimal solution is considered to be DSP mixed with Portland cement M300 or M400 in a ratio of 1:4. The binder can be complex; slaked lime can be added - but not more than 20-30% of the total mass. Add little water, the recommended consistency is doughy, masonry mortar should not flow from the trowel or trowel when tilted up to 40°. When mixing by hand, it is recommended to sift the cement and sand together and only then dilute it with water or milk of lime.

4. Rules for working with plasters.

The selected recipes depend on several factors: the type of surfaces (interior or façade), the degree of exposure to moisture and the purpose of the solution itself (different consistencies are required for spraying, the base layer and the covering). When mixing plaster for exterior work, cement is used as a binder; a slight addition of lime is allowed. When preparing internal leveling mixtures for surfaces operated in normal humidity, multi-component ones are better; in addition to fluff, gypsum can be used in them.

Purpose Cement: sand Cement: lime: sand
Splash From 1:2.5 to 1:4 From 1:0.3:3 to 1:0.5:5
Priming From 1:2 to 1:4 From 1:0.7:2.5 to 1:1.2:4
Covering From 1:1 to 1:5 From 1:1%1.5 to 1:1.5:2

The proportions of water depend on the purpose of the solution: spraying is carried out with liquid plaster, the main layer (soil) is with a dough-like consistency, final leveling– creamy.

Many novice builders are wondering how to mix cement with sand. Cement mixture is one of the most common bases used in various areas construction and repair. The overall quality of the work largely depends on how well the material is prepared.

How to dilute cement? Cement mortar consists of three defining components: cement, water and sand. It is convenient to connect the components of the material both in metal and plastic containers. To do this, you can use all kinds of bathtubs, capacious buckets, basins, depending on the nature of the work and required quantity mixtures.

First, sand and cement are sifted through a fine sieve. These components are mixed until a homogeneous composition is obtained. If you have too “dirty” sand, the structure of which is full of various impurities, it is enough to soak it and mix it in water. After some time, the water is drained and the washed sand is dried in the open air.

How to dilute cement with sand?

When starting repair or construction work, you should take care to prepare a reliable cement mixture. First of all, here you need to start from the brand of cement, correctly calculating its consumption based on the nature of the planned activities. At the same time, sand plays an important role in the structure of the material.

How to mix cement with sand? Prepare the cement mixture according to the following technology:

  1. A sufficient volume of water is poured into the prepared container. Often a bucket of cement requires a similar amount of water. When using wet sand, you can limit yourself to a smaller amount.
  2. After filling the liquid, it is recommended to add a small amount detergent, about 100 g. This allows you to soften the water somewhat.
  3. To begin with, half the required amount of sand is poured into the water.
  4. Next, the entire volume of cement is poured out and the total mass is thoroughly mixed. manually or in a concrete mixer for several minutes.
  5. Finally, the rest of the sand is poured out and the whole mixture is mixed again.
  6. If the solution is too thick, add a little more water.
  7. The correct consistency is determined by drawing several straight lines on the surface of the cement mortar that should not blur.

How to prepare cement mortar for laying a foundation?

To mix components in in this case It is better to use a special concrete mixer. You should start with water. Define it required quantity can be done as follows. Let's say one batch requires the use of a bucket of cement. Based on this, approximately the same amount of water will be required.

The optimal ratio here is 1:4. To ensure that you get a solution of the desired consistency, it is recommended to first pour in a slightly smaller amount of liquid, because it is never too late to add it.

When preparing cement mortar for the foundation, the consistency of the material is of great importance. It's better if it's liquid. The desired thickness can be achieved after the kneading procedure is completed.

Cement consumption for brickwork

How to dilute cement when preparing a binder for brickwork? In this case, it is advisable to perform as much as possible accurate calculations, carefully observing proportions.

The ratio of dry cement to sand is 1:5. The average weight of a cubic meter of cement is about 1300 kg. If cement occupies a fifth of the solution, then per 1 m 3 of material no more than 260 kg of dry material will be required.

Preparation of cement mortar for plaster

To perform high-quality plastering of surfaces, grade 400 cement is required. Take one part of the dry base, 5 parts of sand, and mortar. The use of these components allows you to dilute the cement as needed. The proportions may vary slightly if old cement is present. In this case, a little more material will be required.

If it is necessary to plaster small area, the cement mixture can be mixed by hand using any convenient container. However, it is much more convenient to mix in a concrete mixer. The finished solution should have such a consistency that it slides smoothly off the trowel when tilted.

Cement consumption per cube of concrete

How to properly dilute cement when preparing concrete? By performing a low-quality batch, you can get a frankly unreliable solution. When the material dries, cracks may appear on it, which will lead to the crumbling of the masonry. To provide highest quality concrete, it is necessary first of all to withstand correct amount cement and sand.

When preparing concrete, selection comes first suitable brand cement. For example, for wall laying work, concrete of at least M-300 fraction will be required. As for pouring the foundation, it is enough to use a dry base of the M-200 brand.

In general, the higher the expected surface loads, the higher grade of cement should be preferred. Accordingly, depending on the nature of the concrete used, more or less sand will be needed.

To understand how to dilute cement to prepare concrete, it is enough to rely on the opinion of experts. Experienced builders recommend following the following proportion per 1 m 3 of concrete: 350 kg of cement, 0.8 m 3 of gravel and 0.5 m 3 of sand. If, while maintaining this proportion, the amount of cement is increased, then the concrete most often begins to crack.

Dispensers

By doing capital works durable cement M500 is often used. How to dilute the mixture when using such a fraction, maintaining the proportions exactly? To do this, it is better to use a special dispenser.

The unit is a container mounted on a frame with special sensors that transmit the necessary information to the central console. A dry cement base is placed in the container. As soon as the required weight is reached according to the proportions, the automation shuts off the supply of material. In a similar way, using a dispenser, you can measure the required volume of sand.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the selection of cement brand, compliance with proportions, type and quality of fillers when preparing a cement mixture is largely determined by the nature of the project being implemented, as well as the breadth of the budget.

Still, if we talk about compliance with the technology for preparing the cement mixture, the overall quality of the resulting base here depends directly on the actions of the craftsmen.

Cement – inorganic substance with increased astringent properties, which is widely used in construction. The range of uses includes plastering, screeding, bricklaying, concreting, etc.

The severity of astringency depends on the brand of cement (“M”). In order to carry out the work correctly, it is necessary to take into account the brand of cement and the recommended proportions for diluting the solution.

General information about the material

Cement is a binding agent that can be used either as part of a mixture or as part of a solution. It is needed for reliable fastening of building elements (walls, foundations, floors, finishing materials, etc.), due to which the structures become resistant to deformation and destruction.

Calculation of cement dilution is carried out taking into account several factors. Among them:

  1. Brand. This is a conditional indicator of the compressive strength of a material. Cement grade M50 has the minimum strength (used for plaster), the maximum strength is M600. There are also materials designated M-300, M-400, M-500. The choice of a specific brand is directly related to the purpose of cement use.
  2. Water. The final mixture or solution obtained by stirring will depend on the water that is added to obtain the desired consistency of the material. In this case, you can use snow, water, rainwater etc.
  3. Filler. Calculation of proportions for dilution also depends on the fillers that form the mixture or solution. Can be used as fillers (sand and crushed stone of fine/coarse fraction, sawdust, slag, etc.).
  4. Special purpose. The proportions are influenced by the intended purpose of the material, that is, for which construction work Cement will be used. Cement is used to lay the foundation maximum performance viscosity (grade M-400/500/600), for finishing works or plaster, it is customary to use the M150 brand, which will not harm Decoration Materials when compressed.

If you need to figure out how to dilute cement, you can study the mixing recommendations. Additionally, recommendations for use are taken into account specific brands cement:

  • for the organization of brickwork, grades M-50/M-100 are used (often used for plaster);
  • for finishing work, including plaster – grade M-50/M-100;
  • for floor screed work – M100/M200 (with increased binding capacity);
  • for concreting the foundation – M200/M300.

For cement mortars with sand, you need to take a grade of cement 2-3 times greater than the grade of mortar. For example, for concrete foundation M200 cement M-400/M-500 can be used.

A correctly selected ratio of cement mixture components is a guarantee of obtaining a high-quality result. Depending on the type of work, the proportions of fillers will change.

Proportions for finishing work

At plastering works The optimal ratio is 1:3. This will require 1 part cement and 3 parts sand. The volume of water must correspond to the volume of cement. It is added in portions to achieve a uniform consistency and the desired thickness.

Brands such as M150/200 are used for plastering for interior finishing work. M300 cement is mainly used for finishing facades. To achieve maximum plasticity, lime can be used as an additive (from 0.5 to 0.7 parts per 1 part sand). This will allow you to apply evenly thin layer mixture onto the surface.

Proportions of fillers for brickwork

For such work, cement with high binding properties is used - M-300/M-400. Optimal ratio components are considered 1:4. To increase the astringent effect, slaked lime is added to the mixture (0.2-0.3 parts of lime per 1 part of cement).

This filler makes the mixture plastic and easy to apply. Next, water is added to the dry mixture, and the consistency can be checked at an inclination of 40 °C. If the solution does not spread over the plane, this indicates optimal density.

Calculation of fillers for floor screed

When screeding floors, a ratio of 1:3 is recommended, and the optimal brand is M-400 cement. The calculation of water depends on the volume of cement - it should be ½ of its volume. Such proportions make it possible to obtain an M150 solution, which has a fairly liquid consistency.

The minimum density allows it to fill voids (gaps and seams) on floor surface. For work, it is recommended to use tools such as a spatula, a mixer (to mix the components of the solution), a trowel and a mixing container.

Proportions of fillers during concreting

Which cement is better for the foundation and for concreting in general? The calculation of proportions for such work is as follows: 1:2:4. This will require 1 part cement, 2 parts sand and 4 parts crushed stone (or gravel).

If you need to get concrete for laying the foundation of a house, then you need the M-500 brand of cement. In this case, the volume of water in relation to the dry mixture should be ½. This ratio of components will allow you to obtain B25 (M350) concrete.

If small volumes of concrete are required, the components can be mixed with a shovel; for mixture volumes of 2 m3 or more, a concrete mixer is usually used. Such a high bonding rate is not suitable for plaster, which will crack as the mixture dries.

Mixing foundation mortar

Preparing mortar for the foundation of a house is the most important process, since it is correct mixed solution will ensure the stability of the building, the absence of distortions and deformations, etc. You can mix cement yourself by selecting the necessary construction tasks proportions of fillers.

However, you can also buy ready mixture, where the ratio of components is determined according to construction purposes, but here it is important to know what kind of cement needs to be used so as not to make a mistake with the composition. It is correct to take into account the type of construction work and the volume of the final product when mixing fillers.

Nuances of work

How to dilute cement for the foundation, and what brand is recommended to choose? To fill you will need:

  • standard cement grade M-400 (for increased loads on the base - M-500);
  • from 20 to 30 liters of water;
  • 3 sandbags;
  • crushed stone

Preparation of cement mortar (video)

Stages of work

The calculation of components is carried out 1:3 (one part M-400 to three parts sand). Such proportions are optimal not only for pouring the foundation, but also for screed or brickwork (plaster will require a weaker solution).

When laying the foundation, it is recommended to reduce the volume of sand to 2.5 bags; for the remaining 0.5 part, it is better to use crushed stone. Crushed stone will increase bearing capacity foundation of the house, eliminating the risk of rapid destruction of the foundation and its deformation.

After the calculation has been made, the kneading procedure is carried out. This will require a metal sheet, which will prevent dirt and debris from getting into the finished mixture.

If the volumes of the mixture are small, then buckets can be used as a mixing container. In this case, you can mix the components with a shovel. If the volume of solution exceeds 2 m3, then a special mixer is used to avoid the formation of lumps.

Water must be added in portions, bringing the solution to the consistency of thick sour cream. If the amount of crushed stone is exceeded, the mixture turns out to be liquid, and if sand predominates, it becomes too thick.

In the first case, when the mixture dries, voids may form, which will then lead to the destruction of the base. In the second - when drying concrete pouring may crack.

During construction work, it is necessary to know how to dilute cement to form a wet mass of a given consistency. This will not allow it to harden before the entire volume is used, but will also ensure timely hardening of the material in the foundation, between masonry or in the form of plaster.

Often, to dilute the solution, you will need components such as sand, crushed stone or gravel. They are added in certain proportions to the prepared volume, providing the necessary strength and elasticity to the finished solution.

Preparing the mixture

Before properly preparing concrete or plaster mortar, you need to know that the approximate “setting” time of the particles is about 1 hour. The added amount of components affects adhesion (adhesion to other surfaces), strength and further performance properties.

Based on the purpose, a proportion is selected from a fairly high concentration of 1:2 to a less saturated mass of 1:4. The conditions of use of the solution influence the proportions in which cement should be diluted.

Initially, mix the dry ingredients, and only then gradually add water

When mixed with water, the liquid is added gradually, forming a wet island, gradually adding moisture and dry solution to it. The volume of added water is comparable to the volume of added cement.

How to dilute cement with sand initial stage If they are needed in dry form, they are first sifted through a construction sieve. A homogeneous (uniform) composition is formed. When working in small volumes, you can mix cement with sand or crushed stone using a shovel. For medium and large batches, it is recommended to use automated devices, which include attachments for drills or household concrete mixers.

It is necessary to mix dry components with water to such an extent that fractions no more than 2 mm in diameter are formed.

Foreign inclusions must be promptly removed from the mass. Excess components negatively affect the performance of the material. It is quite easy to identify excess clay in sand. For testing you will need any glass flask and water. Add a handful of sand to the liquid and now we can stir the suspension. High degree turbidity indicates excess clay contamination. It is not worth purchasing such material.

To successfully dilute dry ingredients, you will need to control the quality of the purchased product. He must have the following qualities:

  • easy to fall off your hand or shoulder blade;
  • be light gray or slightly green color;
  • There should be no lumps in the mass.

VIDEO: How to properly mix concrete mortar

Determining the brand of solution

In some cases, it is necessary to use a specific brand of ready-made solution. For calculation use a certain formula. The grade of cement used is divided by the share of sand. If the “three hundredth” was used in a ratio of 1:3, then you need 300/3=100. The technique is also relevant for other brands.

It is generally accepted that the brand of the resulting construction must correspond to the marking of the material used. When building with grade 100 brick, the same mortar is required. A building with a homogeneous composition of foundation and walls will be more durable.

Using M350 grade brick for construction, and knowing the calculation methodology, there is no need to look for M350 grade cement. It is enough to know how to dilute the solution from available brands. For example, in such a situation, an M115 bucket and 3.5 buckets of sand are suitable. Let's get the required proportion.

A universal recipe - the brand of cement must match the brand of brick

An attempt to change the balance of materials can negatively affect the result. Increasing the concentration to 1:3, we obtain a quickly setting material. Working with such a solution is problematic. If the mass of cement is significantly reduced to 1:4, the seams will be less strong and may subsequently crumble. The lower the proportion of cement in the composition, the more loose and porous the volume will be.

It is important not to allow the solution to be the wrong grade less material. In this case, the seams will become inferior in strength to the bricks. You can take higher grades, for example, M500 cement and reduce them with sand to desired value. In this case, water resistance is taken into account bulk materials and their frost resistance. This means that when laying foundation blocks on a mortar, it is recommended to add additional hydrophobic additives to the mass.

Example of step-by-step manufacturing

You can mix the solution using available mechanization tools using proven technology:

  • water is poured into the working container, equal in volume to the cement added next; you can leave some of it for the second addition;
  • if desired, add a little soap or detergents to the composition to increase the adhesive properties of the material;
  • since it is correct to dilute everything gradually, then at the next stage we add part of the sifted sand and all the cement;
  • start the concrete mixer or construction mixer for a few minutes;
  • after forming a homogeneous mixture, add the rest of the sand to the mass and start the engine again;
  • After a few minutes of work, we check the condition of the mixture and add water if necessary.

You need to know how to control the condition of the prepared solution. We take a small part of it with a trowel, and the mass should slide (slide) gradually, and not flow in large drops from the spatula.

When cutting the composition with a trowel or spatula, there should be no dry lumps left in the cut. The line formed in this way should not immediately blur. If necessary, special additives are added to the composition; this will make the cement and sand more ductile and durable.

Check readiness with a trowel - the mass should slowly slide off the blade, and not flow down or stay in a tight lump.

It is necessary to prepare the mixture based on the current production. It is not worth preparing a large volume in advance for several days, since the frozen mass is not re-diluted.

Proportions for plastering and finishing

To carry out finishing work indoors, you don’t need to take high grades like M500, just stock up bulk mixtures from M150. Facade cladding will require higher values, for example, M300 or more. Plastering is carried out with a solution diluted in a ratio of 1:3. It would be more convenient not to dilute cement without sand, but to form a loose sand-cement mixture, and only then gradually pour liquid into it.

You can check the concentration by tilting the trowel with the compound at an angle of 45°. The volume should not yet drain on its own. Pour in a little less water than the volume bulk product. The addition of slaked lime can increase plasticity. It is taken in a ratio of 1/5 or 1/3 of the mass of cement. The additive will allow you to apply a thinner layer.

If you need to increase thermal insulation characteristics buildings, then we replace part of the sand with part of perlite in advance.

Preparing the mixture for pouring the floor

It is advisable to prepare the screed from fresh Portland cement grades M400 or M 500. Since it is correct to dilute the mass for this case in a ratio of 1:3, we stock up on a sufficient amount. It is not recommended to add liquid more than 1:2 in proportion to the dry ingredient.

The mass must eventually stretch to fill all the voids. It is recommended to use a concrete mixer or mixer of sufficient size to increase volume homogeneity. The thorough mixing process usually takes about half an hour.

Preparing the proportion for the foundation

The basis of any building is a solid foundation. In its production it is necessary to use cement grade M 400 or M 500. Manual preparation of volumes of more than 1.5-2 m 3 is not practical, therefore automated methods are used.

It is preferable to use as a filler granite crushed stone. Materials of lower hardness can reduce the final grade of the structure. The proportion is taken in the ratio 1:2:4 (cement, sand, crushed stone).

It is advisable to take clean water from minimum quantity salts It is added in a ratio of 1:2 by volume of cement. After thorough mixing, the presence of dry lumps is not allowed, however, liquid separation should not be allowed in the concrete mixer or working container.

The prepared solution is poured immediately to prevent it from drying out. It is not recommended to allow an increase in the mass fraction of sand for loaded structures or in humid climates. It is advisable to take the sand dry, since the presence of moisture in it can disrupt the calculated proportion. Pre-purchase should be made no earlier than a couple of weeks before its use in the solution for pouring the foundation.

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