[Level]

Can I use QUIKRETE* 80 Lb. Concrete Mix for a footer? I had to dig a footer my my kitchen wall, it the 1940s the kitchen was built on the dirt with no foundation. I dug a footer 3 foot down 16w 8" deep by 16' I'm ready to pour cement can use the quikrete?

Thanks level

 

[Mort]

Yeah, you'll need about 1.25 yards, which is about 48 bags of the stuff. Might be cheaper to just get a truck. It would be a helluva lot easier.

 

[Level]

Min buy is 3yrd's so I have to mix it. Quikrete has the 5000 premixbags but its $3 more a bag so that's why I was asked. Thanks for the help

 

[stadry]

ck the reg bagg'd mix,,, you don't need 5,000psi - strength charts are printed on the sacks.

 

[joed]

At least get a mixer. You don't to be mixing 1.25 yards in a wheel barrow.

 

[Level]

I got it covered 3 wheelbarrows 3 guys and 2 case of beer. Lol just disappointed that min buy of 3yrds

 

[vsheetz]

Got a u-tow-it concrete trailer provider in your area? 1/4 to 1 1/4 yard options available here.

 

[joed]

It's called UCART concrete here. That is another good option.
I have also seen a truck that can mix on site. They mix what you need as it comes out the back of the truck. There's a meter and you pay for what you use.

http://www.grabtrucks.com/ready-mix-concrete/cost/

 

[danrb007]

Even with 3 guys and 3 wheelbarrows 48 bags is a lot to mix. If there big you can mix 2 bags at a time but thats still 8 loads per wheelbarrow. A lot of work. I would at least rent a mixer.

 

[kwikfishron]

Never seen "grabtruck" before, that's pretty cool.

 

[concretemasonry]

They have been used here for about 20 years for small jobs. the big ready-mix companies probably support them to minimze their problems. Ready-mix concrete has been described as the most costly way to sell aggregate by people in both businesses. Some mobile batchers even can supply mortar or grout. Good concept if you can wait for the delivery.

Does anyone ever look at the REAL cost of just driving and hauling the pre-proportioned concrete mixes? - Time, wear and tear and then protection in the case of bad weather. Then just add the mixing, clean-up and waste.

Dick

 

[stadry]

mobile mixers have been around for a while,,, you might be able to find a mini-mobil unit, too,,, zim was the 1st manufacturer IF i remember correctly but there are probably many others by now - some are trailerable behind a 1ton

 

[HomeInsulation]

I've gone through 18 bags in the 95 degree heat with a cement mixer. It takes a lot longer to get everything mixed and in place than you might think.

While you're running around like a chicken with your head cut off, the concrete is drying quickly. Which makes it difficult to trowel and finish off.

Try to make sure you have time to focus on adding the j-bolts and finishing the footer before it starts to set up.

 

[tpolk]

i see lotsa cold joints

 

[stadry]

just picked up a little slab replacement job today - 12' x 12.5' @ 4" = approx 75b of conc mix,,, @ $2per, bagg'd mix is too rich for our blood ( that's 75b IF the base is true which it won't be :no: we'll call a transit-mix ( min - 4cy @ $ 105 per ) & git 'er done,,, can't be dickin' around mixing 75b of mud,,, then again, i wouldn't do it if it were OUR home's job, either,,, time you're done that slab'll look like a spider web & be extremely susceptible random cracking :yes: have you considered the cost of re-doing the work because it looks like **** ?

 

[concretemasonry]

Mixing concrete for medium amd especially larger residential jobs is usually bad in the end ( a few years later even for footings). The placement and finishing cannot be as good as ready mix and there will always be variations from batch to batch and the real cost is not recognized in terms of your "free" time for the mixing and placement or even the driving, loading, hauling bags and cleaning the mixer, etc.

If you buy the concrete from a supplier, you will definitely get more uniform and better quality than mixing your own. The Qukrete and Sakrete mixes do meet the requirements IF they are mixed properly with the right amount of water (not any extra for the amateur placers and finishers) and mixed the proper time. These are all done in a lab and not on site. No matter what you do, there will be variations from batch to batch.

Just plan ahead and buy the minium for free delivery or buy less and pay the minimum. Find other future uses for concrete such as sidewalks or making stepping stones. If you run out of ideas, just send the excess back and let the concrete supplier get rid of it and clean up the mixer. It sounds like a waste, but it makes for a better job to invest your "free" time in.

If you have a small amount and are flexible, you can get them to sell you some "come back" concrete that will be better than bagged dry mix IF you are ready, since concrete is a perishable product once the water is added to the mix with cement.

If it is not imporant construction, buy some bags and be a 100% DIYer and not a 75% DIYer.

 

[Vincer]

Just a DIYer question;

What is a cold joint? I'm guessing it's when you pour new concrete up against concrete that is already dry?

Thanks!

Vince

 

[concretemasonry]

No it is when you place concrete against concrete that has already set a bit and there is not bond or connection between the 2 concrete pours. - Only surface bonding to the surface areas.

The concrete may appear to be "dry" but is hardend slightly, but nor cured or really "dry".

Dick

 

[stadry]

' initial ' set,,, dick, i always thought a ' cold joint ' was best defined by looking at conc walls - easy to see where there was a wait for the next truck, no ? if we get caught short on trucks/weather/who-knows-what, there are always headers onsite.

 

[concretemasonry]

itsreallycon -

You are right, since it is usually visable in exposed work, but there are also some hidden structural effects.

This was a small job and few people are reaady to adjust to the delays cause by job mixing since there are other things to do.

If it is a strip footing under a masonry wall, you have a lot of tolerence since the loads are minimal.

Dick