Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [cement]

214 questions
31
votes
8 answers

When pouring concrete, is it safe to add large rocks to increase volume?

Backround I'm going to pour some concrete to anchor a swing set. The base of the swing set that is being anchored is two 4x4s with a 2x4 footer crossed perpendicularly to the 4x4s. I have a bunch of large softball-sized rocks in my yard. I was…
Walter Stabosz
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21
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6 answers

Contractor is installing a vinyl fence and posts but is not using any water with concrete. Is he doing it right?

I hired a reputable local company to install 6 foot vinyl fence around my yard. Salesman was telling me how they would be using cement to hold the post in place. To my surprise I see the workers use dry cement mix with no water or sand or anything…
Agoor
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3 answers

What is this white powder on my foundation?

Can anyone tell me what this white powder might be? I was ripping up the carpet from my basement when I saw this underneath the padding and on the cement foundation. It's white and cakey. I at first thought I would just vacuum it up, so I took a…
rothloup
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8
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5 answers

How much does cement weigh after it has set?

I'm looking to make some weight plates for a home gym and so I am planning on using cement to make the plates. But I know that some water will be absorbed and not evaporated when making the cement so it will be hard for me to get the weight that I…
Aequitas
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7
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1 answer

What's the best way to level this basement floor?

Goal: Level basement slab in our 1905 Seattle home so I can install laminate flooring. Existing floor: 21' x 25' unreinforced rat slab thickness varies from ~2" at rim to as little as 3/4" near drain towards middle top of pic height varies 2 1/2"…
1905home
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6
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5 answers

Is mortar waterproof?

I was advised by a professional that mortar is waterproof, however sources online are telling me that it's not. So is mortar waterproof or not? Does waterproofness vary by mortar classification (e.g. M1, M2, M3 etc.)?
AlfaZulu
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6
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3 answers

How to mix a resurfacer/leveler with sand and cement?

Disclaimer: No, I can't buy ready made surface leveler, because in Brazil this doesn't exist. I need to use a resurface a dry pack levelling that my previous contractor made a lousy job (porous surface here and there and a few cracks, but it seem…
Luiz Borges
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6
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1 answer

How can I fill this gap between concrete and cement board?

I am trying to extend this penny tile floor. The existing penny tile floor is concrete + tile + penny tile on top. The new addition I have added is osb+plywood+cement board (as pictured on top). I would like the bridge the gap between the cement…
byte
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5
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4 answers

Resetting fence posts in very wet conditions

This winter the Minnesota frost heaved up 5 fence posts in my yard. I've pulled out the 5 posts, and have found basically puddles of water and very very wet mud. I shop-vac'd out the standing water, and have let the holes air out on nice days. …
dpollitt
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4
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2 answers

In CLAY soil, looking for best method to set wood fence posts?

I am getting ready to install a wood fence. My problem is I have soil that is mostly clay. What is the best method to install posts in poor draining clay, giving me the best longevity?
Jeff
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3 answers

How to replace loose 4x4 wood fence post with a steel post

The original 4x4 wood fence post for my home's side gate (that holds the catch part of a gate latch) is very loose and wobbles. The post is surrounded on 3 sides with my concrete walkway, and the 4th side is right next to my house. I'm pretty sure…
Jixer
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1 answer

Is it OK if my Durock cement board got wet?

I bought some cement board for the bathroom remodel and I stored it in the garage. No idea how but each sheet got a couple wet spots through them. I moved them inside to dry. After they dry are they still usable?
Nick A
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1 answer

Why is the sand in my cement mixes so thirsty?

In making up cement-based mixtures, I always start with a water:cement ratio of 0.42:1, which is the optimal ratio. But whenever I make a mix that has a substantial quantity of sand in it (e.g. for mortar, or a self-consolidating pourable thing) the…
iLikeDirt
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3
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2 answers

New grout yesterday, efflorescence today - what do I do?

I just finished grouting my kitchen floor with unsanded dark gray grout (near-black "charcoal" according to the box, also it contains portland cement). Not long after the first section I started noticing some efflorescence forming in a few places.…
Wilco
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3
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2 answers

Crumbling basement walls and asbestos

I want to refinish my basement walls, as they look really bad. I tore down some wood paneling that was starting to warp, and behind that was some styrofoam insulation. Behind styrofoam is 3 mil plastic. Behind that is the concrete which is…
Tyler
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