How to Make Sidewalk Concrete
When doing sidewalk repair or a small concrete job, having some pre-mixed concrete delivered isn't necessary anymore. With a few ingredients, such as cement, sand and gravel and the right tools, concrete can be made made with a cement mixer right at the job site.
With the Portland cement, sand and gravel and water mixture is properly proportioned it will produce strong durable concrete.
Supplies
- Portland cement
- Sand
- Gravel
- Cement mixer
- Water
- Shovel
- Calculate the amount of concrete needed based on the length and depth of the project. In order to do this, multiply the length, width and depth of the concrete for the job and divide the result by 27.
- Each cubic yard of concrete poured will require approximately seven 100 pound bags of Portland cement dry mix, 1/2 cubic yard of sand and 3/4 cubic yards of gravel.
- Put the dry Portland cement, gravel and sand into the drum of the mixer. A good ratio to use is one shovel of Portland cement, two of sand and three of gravel.
- Turn on the mixer and begin adding water to the cement. A runny consistency will begin to form. Take care not to add too much water. If the mixture is over watered, the concrete won't cure properly and will be weak. However, limited water will make it difficult to pour properly.
- A good ratio to use is about 30 to 35 gallons of water for every cubic yard made.
- Allow the mixture to blend thoroughly. When properly mixed, the consistency is a bit thinner than peanut butter.