how to concrete

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 09:18

Can some one tell me...



1) what should the consistency of concrete be like for daubing on a wall?



2) how long does it take to dry?



3) is it as easy as it looks to do?



4) do i need any special tools, or can i use a piece of clean tile?



Not only do have to do some concreting, but it would be great to be able to actually do it correctly, maybe i can add it to my gardening skills.....









DD

CarrieRBag



Joined: 23/12/2008
Posts: 1374

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 09:25

Should all be on the Internet DD



http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/PLASTERING_CENTRE.htm

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 09:26

Yes its all there, nothing is set in concrete.

goonerstan



Joined: 14/04/2008
Posts: 397

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 09:57

makes me wonder , why i spent 5 yrs apprenticeship and a small fortune on tools , when all you need is internet and a piece of tile ha ha ha

eager


Joined: 23/02/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 10:47

Does she mean rendering ?

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 10:49

rendering, plastering concreting...it's all the same really...isn't it? It's all about getting glupey stuff on a wall..... :P





DD

eager


Joined: 23/02/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 11:12

Not so DD, Wouldnt want to put concrete on your ceiling would you ? Get someone with experience to show you how to do it.

princessjhno


Joined: 02/11/2010
Posts: 49

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 11:17

For pointing: - 3 parts building sand (not the gritty sand) should be a reddısh colour and free of grit. 1 part cement. Mix on a smooth firm surface (timber or stone, but be aware that it will mark stone!). Add water but not runny, just add a bit at a time. A finger trowel ıs ideal (any DİY store will have one! You could add a lıttle bıt of fairy liquid for workabilıty.



Be prepared that it will dry out quickly in the sun, so dont mix too much at a time!

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 12:21

oh dear......................





Maybe i ought to get an expert over......i think i can safely say, DIY is not my forte.............





Does anyone have any spare time on their hands......?



DD

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 12:37

I was only watching 'I didn't know that' the other day and they were explaining how some concrete laid by the Victorians is still in the process of drying!



I know sounds daft but apparently some really thick concrete as used to make dams takes hundreds of years to dry and not because the water held back by the dam is making it wet.

biglugs


Joined: 02/10/2008
Posts: 157

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 13:22

DD,get in touch with me (via this board(and i will show you how its done

Pugwash


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 1797

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 15:14

Concrete does not "dry" it sets by chemical reaction, so concrete will set even underwater. Not sure what the Victorians problem was Groucho, maybe a different issue with the cement.



Concrete solidifies and hardens after mixing with water and placement due to a chemical process known as hydration. The water reacts with the cement, which bonds the other components together, eventually creating a robust stone-like material.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 15:24

well the scientists from Cambridge must have got it wrong...



I know it's a chemical reaction and it gives off considerable heat in the process. The water in the mix must be driven off by the setting process... re the Victorians, well their dams are still in use and it was these 40 metre thick walls that the 'I Didn't Know That' programme was talking about... That's a lot of setting/drying.

yrret


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 761

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 15:49

Concrete will certainly set under water, this process is carried out all the time in the oil and gas industry.

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 17:00

biglugs, call me on 05338331292





DD

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 18:05

well, i mixed a bit of concrete with some water, and before i knew it...it was setting like crazy...i now have concrete fingernails.....best get the experts in i think.... 'gulp'.....





DD

Vidal


Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 867

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 19:28

What on earth are you concreting Dais?? Don't leave the concrete by the door will you, don't want to have to come and dig you out!



Can you not offer a barter...Get someone to do your concreting and you do their garden or something.

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 19:34

i was only supposed to be concreting a little channel between walls..hard to explain in words....but suffice to say, i have now gained enormous concreted fingernails, and Mr Ted has a massive patch of concrete on his back, which is glued to his fur, and as far as i can see aint gonna come off!!......I think i need an expert...quickly......







DD

philnles


Joined: 11/08/2008
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 19:49

Message 12.



Night time is what makes cement set!

Lay it during the day, go home, come back when its light and he ho, its gone hard!!



Did you know that The Hoover Dam is still drying out.

eager


Joined: 23/02/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 20:02

A concrete mixer lorry was in collision with a prison van..........................The police are looking for hardened criminals !

yrret


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 761

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 20:04

Sam, You do need to get the cement off of you, it is extremely alkaline, and will burn you badly.

There have been cases of people getting cement in work boots, walking around all day with it on their skin (bottom of foot), and actually loosing a foot.

No kidding here girl, it is serious.

Always wash it off thoroughly before it dries out if you can.

If it's under your nails and you don't, you'll see what I mean in the morning.

Google "cement burns" and you'll see what I mean.

daisy dukes


Joined: 06/09/2008
Posts: 3815

Message Posted:
08/11/2010 20:24

OH SHIT!!!





I guess i can say goodbye to my fingers.......





DD