Concrete recipes

[billconner]

I decided to mix my own concrete. Footer is: 1 - 3 - 6 or 1 - 2 - 4. But struggling with grout for core filling blocks. I was looking at coarse but may use fine. My quandary is what type of sand. Two quarries offer just "sand" but third offers: BANK RUN SAND • FILTER BED SAND • MASON SAND • SCREENED/BEACH SAND • PAVER SAND and the 4th offers 2" screened sand and mason sand. The price varies a lot - $6 ton for bank run vs $26 for mason sand. I think paver sand is what I want, for both grout and concrete.

It was interesting to compare the cost of mixes by the bag vs. ready mix vs. buy materials and mix your own. I was surprised ready mix and mix your own was almost equal, except of course ready mix requires helpers or a crew to place. mixes by the bag were about triple the cost. Thus, mixing my own (except I couldn't source some of the surface bonding cement ingredients, so buying bagged.)

 

[speed bump]

Paver sand should be super fine sand, I would either bite the bullet and buy mason sand (it will probably finish nicest) or just buy the cheap stuff.

I would recommend figuring out how to do it redimix though. Bribe some buddies and knock it out on a morning.

 

[billconner]

Well, I've read paver sand is larger and much coarser than mason sand. Not easy info to find.

Not concerned about finishing core fill grout.

 

[dutchgray]

I would just use a course sand, here in the UK we buy the aggregate and sand pre mixed in 1 ton bags or loose loads, called "all in" the sand is always course in that.
I don't think I have ever mixed concrete using separate gravel and sand, but the bags of cement do have mix ratios for doing that printed on.

Only ever used pre mix bags for fence posts and even then if it's only a few as it's costs so much more than mixing your own.
Readi mix loads are cheaper if you factor your time in, but only if you need an 8 cube load or more.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I used Mason sand and bought it at the concrete plant.

I mean, that's what they use in their batches.

 

[billconner]

Mason sand for mortar for blocks and bricks for sure, but seems a coarser, larger size is preferred for concrete and (core fill) grout.

Need help from third world countries where it's all from scratch.

 

[Zeke]

Here we use pump mix for filling block. That's with pea gravel. As long as it's clean, use whatever but some coarse aggregate adds strength. I wouldn't bother with graded (sized) sand. Just remember some sand is for compacting mixtures and isn't washed.

 

[mcbane]

You dont want beach sand because it is salty. Even "washed" beach sand can be problematic.

 

[lilredex]

You dont want beach sand because it is salty. Even "washed" beach sand can be problematic.

Plus, it is not "sharp sand". Our city is the land of bricks and concrete. We have brick yards that sell concrete sand and masonary sand (finer). Cement is Portland (concrete) or masonary. The latter has a plasticizer added to aid in smoother brick/block laying.

 

[Walkers]

It might be a moot point at the moment, Portland cement is not available here.

 

[Shiftless]

It might be a moot point at the moment, Portland cement is not available here.

I just checked your local HD. It’s weird that you can buy bagged concrete mix but no Portland cement.

 

[billconner]

I got 18 bags of Portland type 1-2 for the block company. Kind of a necessity for a block plant I imagine.

I think in 8" block, I could use fine grout - all sand, no pea gravel or other larger aggregate. I was looking for a small pea gravel - just a ton or so - but don't see it listed by the 4 quarries around me. Thought I could use some no. 1, at least for bond beam courses.

Mixing grout myself - a few hundred dollars. Buying bagged mix - near a thousand. I still have to put same amount of materials in mixer.

I did some concrete work once before - mixed several yards on a sheet of ply with a mason's hoe. Hoping mixer is easier.

 

[speed bump]

I just checked your local HD. It’s weird that you can buy bagged concrete mix but no Portland cement.

Cement is in short supply right now and bagged cement doesn't have the margin mix does. I know the AZ market went on allotment 2+ months ago. For our market it has been a wet chilly spring so we are still in okay shape but the northwest US will probably be hurting just as bad by Aug/Sept.

 

[Walkers]

I just checked your local HD. It’s weird that you can buy bagged concrete mix but no Portland cement.

The cupboards are bare Mother Hubbard!

 

[billconner]

Indeed, none at my nearest HD, but 27 bags at an HD 60 miles away.

When I ordered everything, first thing they said was big increase on July 1. Made it.

 

[brownbagg]

grout sand is coarse, like play sand, not a sugar sand thats fine

 

[NUTTSGT]

Mason sand for mortar for blocks and bricks for sure, but seems a coarser, larger size is preferred for concrete and (core fill) grout.

Need help from third world countries where it's all from scratch.

Not sure what you mean by 3rd world but locally here in Ohio, they use Mason sand im the concrete at batch plants.

I've filled plenty of block cores and used bagged Quikrete concrete, no issues using it.

I've mixed my own concrete to do plenty of sidewalk around the house. I used the same mason mix the batch plants do when they make concrete. There is no issue using mason sand in your concrete recipe. I also used #8 limestone for aggregate as its smaller.

Use what you want, you asked what to use. I gave advice what I have used and said what the local batch plants use in their concrete.

 

[billconner]

nuttsgt - I appreciate your input. It's reassuring to know it works for you, and I might do same. I'm guessing in the end it doesn't matter, as I think I could eliminate the core filling and the building would still stand forever. It's just confusing when other sources say otherwise and that the mason sand is the most expensive sand.

So thank you.

 

[nadogail]

When I lived in Southern Spain (1968) sand was delivered by burro. The Sandman had about 6 burros and took them to the beach where he shoveled the sand into bags hung across the back of the burros. Gravel was ordered from a supplier and sold by the cubic meter.