Shotcrete’s quality shotcrete/concrete contractors know that a quality job begins in the initial stages. If quality is strived for at each step, then the overall project will be high quality as well. When it comes to concrete, there are certain tricks to ensuring that the consistency of the concrete is mixed perfectly; a concrete mix that is mixed well will be both easier to work with when its wet and will hold up to environmental abuse reliably.
When you need to mix concrete for a job at home, it’s fine to mix the concrete in a small reservoir such as a wheel barrow or, in the event that only a very small batch of concrete is mixed, a bucket. If you use a wheelbarrow for an average-sized concrete project or use a bucket for a smaller batch, then either one will also be terrific tool to use later to spread out the mixed concrete. If you have ever looked a cement truck, and noticed that it both mixes the concrete and funnels the concrete toward forms, consider that the bucket or wheelbarrow are similar tools but on a much smaller scale.
When you mix a small batch of concrete, you can use practically any tool—a clean garden hoe or shovel works terrific as a tool to mix the concrete, but it should be cleaned off completely before the concrete hardens.
The only other thing to know about mixing concrete is that bags of concrete are extremely heavy, and anyone not prepared for the weight should consider the scope of the work they plan to do and plan for the weight strategically. For instance, you may need someone’s help lifting the bag of concrete up and into the wheelbarrow, and then later you may need assistance moving the wheelbarrow from one spot to another.
If you have a small concrete project planned this spring, remember to mix the concrete well. But if you have a job that you believe is outside the scope of your experience, then remember that the experienced shotcrete/concrete contractors at Shotcrete Montana can help. If you have any questions then call today.
