How to Make Your Own Concrete | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough explains the basics of making concrete
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Time: 10 minutes

Cost: $20

Skill Level: Beginner

Tools List for Making Concrete:
Trowel
Mixing bucket
Bucket for measuring

Shopping List:
Sand in bulk
Aggregate in bulk (crushed stone, etc.)
Portland cement in bulk

Steps:
1. Measure out each ingredient in the following proportion: 3 parts sand, 2 parts aggregate, 1 part Portland cement. Use a bucket to help keep the measurements accurate.
2. Pour the sand, aggregate, and Portland cement into a mixing bucket. To make the mix stronger, add more aggregate and Portland cement.
3. Add water slowly to the bucket and begin to mix it up with the trowel. Add more water as needed until the concrete is at the correct consistency.

Resources:
Most concrete can be made using a premixed bag, like the one Mark demonstrated, which is manufactured by Quikrete (https://www.quikrete.com/).

For bigger jobs that require a lot of concrete, it’s cheaper to make the concrete yourself. The sand, aggregate, and Portland cement can all be found at masonry yards.

Expert assistance with this segment was provided by MJM Masonry (http://mjmmasonry.com/).


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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Make Your Own Concrete | Ask This Old House
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