The concrete is the main building material that is used in various construction projects. Usually, cement mixer bowls are used for mixing the concrete. However, several steps need to be followed in order for high quality and homogeneous mixture to be created. Before you actually begin with the mixing process, always wear waterproof gloves and eye protection gear to avoid irritation or other serious health problems that can be caused by the concrete dust.
Prepare all the materials you need, and pour them into the cement mixer bowl to begin the mixing process. The quality of the mixture will depend on the materials used, the proportion of every ingredient in the mixture, and on the weather conditions. Here are some of the mixing tips you should have in mind the next time you pour the concrete ingredients into the cement mixer bowls.
- One of the most common mistakes people do when mixing concrete is adding more water in order for the concrete to be more workable. To get high quality concrete mixture, you need to add amount of water that is in relation to the amount of cement poured in the cement mixer bowls. If you add more water than needed, it will dilute the concrete paste and make it difficult to work with. Reducing the water in the mix will increase the water tightness and will lower the absorption, the flexural strength will be increased, and a better bond will be created between the concrete and the reinforcement. Adding the right amount of water in the cement mixer bowls will increase the water resistance and prevent shrinkage and cracking aggregates.
- Another practical tip you could use when preparing the concrete mixture is to pour the cement bags into 19 liter plastic pails. It is more convenient to dump the material from the pails directly into the cement mixer bowls than to do that straight from the bags. If the bags are not premixed, you will need to add sand to create better mixture. It is recommended to be on the dry side when mixing the materials and to add enough water to make a perfect mix. Once the mix is done, you need to use the concrete material right away in order to prevent the material from becoming hard inside the bowl. Do not forget to wash the cement mixer bowls after you are done with the mixing.
- The temperature is another factor that affects the quality of the mix. Therefore, when preparing the mixture on temperatures above 30 degrees, make sure you use more water in the concrete ratio inside the cement mixer bowls.. It would be ideal to prepare the concrete mixture in a cooler place like a shade. Once you dump the mixture out from the cement mixer bowls, cover it and use it as soon as possible. If it is cold, you will need to cover the materials with black plastic bags to protect the concrete from freezing in the first 24 hours in order to avoid permanent damages.