How to Mix Cement

When a building requires the use of a strong and durable binder, most professional and freelance builders use cement. Before use, you need to mix cement with sand and stone. Although it sounds tedious, the process is quite simple with the right tools. You can use a shovel or spade to mix the cement in a wheelbarrow before pouring it over the construction site.

Table of Contents

Prepare the dry mix

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Buy enough cement, sand and crushed stone. The exact proportions of the materials will vary depending on the type of cement, so check the cement bag or the instructions that come with it. As a general rule, however, you’ll need 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, and 4 parts crushed rock. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Always follow the instructions on the cement packaging, as concrete can break if you mix too much sand, gravel or cement into the mix.

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Wear protective clothing. Cement will generate dust and debris that can be hazardous to health if safety clothing is not provided. You need to wear a dust mask, goggles and long jeans. You should also wear thick gloves when mixing cement. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Concentration of raw materials. Mixing cement is quite messy work and requires you to pay attention. Please concentrate the ingredients before mixing. In addition to cement, sand, and crushed stone, you will also need a bucket, wheelbarrow, and shovel or similar tool for mixing. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Load the materials into the wheelbarrow. Use a spade to shovel 1 part cement, 2 parts sand and 4 parts gravel into the wheelbarrow. Remember to wear a dust mask, as dust and debris will be airborne during mixing. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

To prevent the cement from drying out before use, do not mix more than half a wheelbarrow at a time. You can mix another batch once you have used it up.

Mix the materials well. Although the materials will still be mixed together afterwards, you should thoroughly mix the dry mixture before adding water. After pouring the cement, sand, and crushed rock into the wheelbarrow, you can use a shovel or similar tool to thoroughly mix the ingredients together until a homogeneous mixture is obtained. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Mix the mixture with water

Create a “crater” in the middle of the cement pile. Use a shovel to dig a small hole in the middle of the cement mixture. This pit will be half the diameter of the cement pile. When digging is done, the mixture will look like a volcano. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Mix a small amount of water into the mixture. There is no exact amount of water for mixing cement. You just need to add enough water to form a smooth paste with the consistency of peanut butter. Start with a small amount of water to prevent the cement from thinning. Pour a little water about half a bucket into the hole you just dug, then mix with a shovel until the water has been absorbed. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

If you’re using cement to create the finish, a mix of 3 parts concrete and 1 part water is usually best. If you’re using cement for a concrete foundation, you can use more water, as there’s no need for a surface finish here.

Check the mixture. Drag the shovel through the middle of the cement mixture. If the mixture is too dry, the sides of the groove you just made will be messy. This means that the mixture needs to be watered. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Complete the mixing process

Adjust the mixture if necessary. You may need to try and repair a few times to get the right consistency. Add the water little by little until you have a stiff and plasterable paste. If you accidentally mix too much water to the point that the cement is diluted, you can add a dry mix to repair it. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Pour the mixed cement into the construction site immediately after mixing. This step should be completed as soon as possible. This way, the cement won’t dry out before you finish the work. Tilt the wheelbarrow over the concreting area and pour the mixture down.

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Clean tools. That way the cement won’t harden on anything. Fill the wheelbarrow with water as soon as the cement has been poured. Soak the tools in the wheelbarrow and scrub the vehicle and tools with a stiff brush until the cement is completely removed. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Advice

Read the manufacturer’s instructions on the cement bag before mixing. The type of cement you use may have specific requirements that you need to follow.
If your project requires more cement than a wheelbarrow or two, consider buying a hand mixer at a hardware store.

Things you need

Protective clothing
Wheelbarrow for sure
Cement mix
Sand
Macadam
Water
Small shovel or spade

Steps

Prepare the dry mix

Mix the mixture with water

Complete the mixing process

Advice

Things you need

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