So ..... how do you mix concrete?

[K20]

Trench dug ....

7 ft (length) x 18" (width) x 12" (depth).

I now need to get 9 inches of concrete in the trench - level - by this time tomorrow

how on earth do I mix concrete and how do I ensure it is level (or does it self level ???)

PS for female readers

ANY man who claims to be endowed with 12 inches is a fibber!. I have never really appreciated how long 12 inches is until I had to dig that deep today

Stolen from Google:

The proportions of materials for a C20P (P = Portland cement) mix are 1 x cement, 2 x fine aggregate (sand) and 4 x coarse aggregate. If you are using premixed ballast, then 6 of these are mixed with 1 part cement. In an ideal world, where everything is delivered dry, then a water to cement ratio of approximately 0.55 should be used....For example, if you require 25kg of cement in your mix, then 25 x 0.55 = 13.75kg (liters) of water. This is the maximum amount of water that should be used. Most of the time however, the sand etc is damp, or even wringing wet, and care has to be taken to ensure your mix does not become too sloppy. It should be able to support itself, almost fully, in a heap on the shovel.

When mixing a very strong mix, normally labeled C35P the mix is 1 cement, 1 stone and 2 sand or 1 cement to 3 ready mixed aggregate.

When mixing concrete you will find that, while the ballast will heap on your shovel, the cement will slide off. This will give you incorrect proportions when mixing...1 part of cement should be equal to 1 part ballast. It is better to measure your quantities using a bucket to ensure correct proportions. Mixing by hand is a bad idea unless you only have a tiny amount to do. Only very rarely will you be able to get the cement evenly distributed throughout the mix and this leads to weak concrete.

It will level itself to some degree by the way. Use a big bit of wood to help it.

Oh and if you making it in batches by hand you'll have to ensure the previous hasn't set before you put the next in. Use water to keep it damp.

Good grief! that sounds complex

Do I mix C35P or C20P strength - it is going to be the foundation for a 4ft - 5ft garden wall.

... wonders off to post ad somewhere

"WANTED ... man who can mix concrete on site at short notice. Cannot pay but will supply friend in nork enhancing top to make endless tea and biscuits"

will ask dh when he gets in if no-one else can help

you need to'peg'your trench out at required depth(nine inches in your case) with wood pegs or steel ones , drive your first peg in the ground with a hammer until required depth thn take a spirit level and space your next peg at your levels length so u can put your next peg in and put your level on the top of pegs so when you put your concrete in you fill up to top of your pegs and you can then 'tamp' your concrete with a straight edge or i lenght of wood(wouldnt advice trying to mix concrete by hand would hire a mixer or buy ready mix)

wow thanks for this Scorpio - will report back tomorrow :-) after mission accomplished

builder in Saturday to build wall but I am doing the foundations to save money (with another MNer)

... wonders off to find a spirit level

Am I the only mum who is astonished by the blatant innuendo? Or should I merely be ashamed of myself?

Mixing cement is hard work. You can order readymixed delivered in a mixer- we did for our cellar.

PMSL

"It will level itself to some degree by the way. Use a big bit of wood to help it."

I told you that K20. [sulk]

As it happens, when the builder told me how much cement and ballast to get I realised my car wouldn't make it out of Jewsons yard with the suspension intact and builders truck was needed -plus

Builders told Soupy and myself it wasn't work for scatty OP and "look at my norks in this top" less scatty friend women and did it himself today - we just did the fun bit - writing dcs names and placing hand prints in it as it was setting

thanks scorpio for asking your DH

lol at you getting it in the car!

thats ok, keeps him busy