Q&A for How to Make Concrete

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What are the 4 main ingredients in concrete?

Gerber Ortiz-Vega
Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC
Gerber Ortiz-Vega is a Masonry Specialist and the Founder of GO Masonry LLC, a masonry company based in Northern Virginia. Gerber specializes in providing brick and stone laying services, concrete installations, and masonry repairs. Gerber has over four years of experience running GO Masonry and over ten years of general masonry work experience. He earned a BA in Marketing from the University of Mary Washington in 2017.

Gerber Ortiz-Vega

Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC

Expert Answer

Concrete is a mixture water, cement, sand and gravel. If you are making conrete from scratch, you will be mixing these four compounds.

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Question

How many parts of water should I use with one part cement, and two or three parts of fine sand?

Community Answer

Use 2 parts water, that way the final mixture isn't too grainy or over-watered.

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Question

Can I use "quick Crete" for setting a steel mailbox post?

Community Answer

Yes. Quick-Crete is pre-mixed concrete and is strong enough to hold up a mailbox post.

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Question

How much does it cost per yard to make my own concrete?

Community Answer

It depends on the brands or products you buy. Unless you state the brands you are going to use, nobody can give a exact answer, but an estimate should be available.

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Question

Why is limestone added to concrete?

Community Answer

Limestone helps bind the cement with the sand and gravel. Without it, your cement wouldn't bind together well.

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Question

Do I have to add aggregate to the mix to make concrete?

Community Answer

No, sand and gravel should be adequate but adding it will improve stability and sturdiness of the concrete once set.

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Question

Are there any special additives for cement that is used to pave a driveway?

Community Answer

Gravel, gypsum and water always make a great pour, but adding a bit of tar will make it better for hot climes.

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Question

When the article talks about "parts" (eg. one part cement to three parts sand) is that by weight or volume?

Community Answer

By volume, so one bag cement for the bags of sand if they are all the same size.

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Question

Will poured concrete stick to set concrete?

Edgar Mbui

Community Answer

You will need to wet the set concrete first before pouring new concrete, which help bond the two mixtures.

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