
Does anybody use sand as a base before they pour concrete of a driveway? I was told by one of the contractor that I needed to put a layer of sand before I poured concrete for the driveway. Another contractor told me that no sand is used because it is the cause for cracks as the concrete

Aug 19, 2004 I’m preparing to pour a finish concrete foor, slab on grade. The structural plans call for 4″ compacted gravel base, insul-tarp vapor barrier, 2″ of sand and 4″ of concrete. What purpose other than a base for the concrete does the sand serve? Why use it when yopu have thick insul-tarp?

The Recommended Gravel Base for a Concrete Driveway. The strength and durability of a concrete driveway are not only determined by the type of concrete mix but also by base or sub-base over which ...


Creating a sand mold for concrete is a quick and inexpensive method of reproducing ornamental objects in concrete form. The process uses fine wet sand to hold the image of the casting model. The sand is just strong enough to avoid crumbling as you pour concrete into the depression left by the mold.

In addition, 1- and 2-inch sand layers were placed over a steel base and tested to show how the sand would affect subgrade support over a very stiff base. For all the soil samples tested, CBR values decreased dramatically when a thin layer of loose sand was placed over the compacted sample.

Apr 12, 2018 Concrete is made up of cement and water plus an aggregate composed of sand and gravel. The sand and gravel do more than act as filler, though. The size and amount of gravel added to a bag of concrete also determines the product's volume, strength, and durability.

Take a few minutes to learn about the three most commonly used sand types; Concrete Sand vs. Mason Sand vs. White Sand. Concrete Sand. Concrete sand is and aggregate sand usually composed of either gneiss, trap rock, limestone or granite. This specific type of sand is normally crushed at the quarry and then washed and screened for quality.

Dec 27, 2018 Although cement and sand will each work on their own or mixed together, cement presents several problems that using sand alone does not. Therefore, it's better to just use sand

For a long-lasting sidewalk, plan on a 4-in. base of gravel under 4 in. of concrete. If you live in a frost-free climate with a natural sand base with good drainage, you can pour right on top of the sand. But other soil types will expand and contract with weather conditions and can crack overlying concrete.

For a long-lasting sidewalk, plan on a 4-in. base of gravel under 4 in. of concrete. If you live in a frost-free climate with a natural sand base with good drainage, you can pour right on top of the sand. But other soil types will expand and contract with weather conditions and can crack overlying concrete.

Mar 04, 2013 Sand has a much higher capillary draw than gravel, and can seep into fill perforated drain pipes, etc. Directing roof drains well away from the house is the first line of defense, but I personally wouldn't feel right about not having perimeter drain at the footing as well, even with sand that seems to drain well on it's own.

Concrete slabs are also used as patios and foundations of porches, decks, sheds and home appliances such as the central heating unit. Sometimes materials such as rebar may be added into slab forms before pouring for more strength. Sand and clay soils need extra preparation before pouring the slab for support and longevity.

Dec 29, 2018 Before spreading any sand on your level sub-base, position two tubes within the excavated area so they are parallel to one another. Use the tubes' height as a gauge for the sand

Feb 24, 2020 Before you pour concrete, add a concrete mix and water into a concrete mixer or wheelbarrow. Mix the concrete until smooth and pour it into the mold. Starting at the uphill point, use a screed tool to flatten the wet concrete. Then, float the newly-screeded surface to further compact the concrete.

Apr 28, 2014 Concrete may seem strong, but after many years, elements, and pressure, it will eventually crack. So in order to make your concrete last as long as your money that went into it, adding a layer of crushed stone under a slab of concrete will increase the life of your investment. Here are 3 reasons why a layer of crushed stone is important to the life of your concrete:

Dec 09, 2018 How to Pack Down Rock Before Pouring Concrete. Whether you pour concrete for a walkway or patio, a strong gravel base is required to prevent the concrete

Aug 28, 2015 Then once you have it all prepared and ready to pour. Make sure you tell the concrete company what your base is and they will make sure the mix of water to concrete is correct. If your asking how I know. When we had to have our ramps built, we used old concrete as a filler in the bottom with river rock to sand going around it all.

If you expect to pour concrete and use it in a couple days, you can’t. When the temperatures drop, new concrete should be covered with concrete insulating blankets (or, in a pinch, old household ...

Jul 04, 2014 For the concrete pouring thing, i use chairs on stairs, balconies or structural slabs never on basement slab, its useless, rebars or reinforcement mesh are only there as an attachment for the pipes, i ask concrete finishing team to slightly shake the pipes support to be sure that they are well coated with concrete.

Jul 17, 2017 Repurposing a plain concrete slab as a foundation saves you the trouble of removing the concrete and results in a strong, long-lasting base. Check the condition of the concrete prior, and patch any pits or cracks. Set the pavers over a 1-inch layer of grit sand or 1/2 inch of mortar, and use edge restraints to secure them.

Nov 04, 2019 Sand is often used as a base beneath bricks to provide long-term stability. Laying Pavers Without Sand While some people install pavers without sand, they do so at their peril.

Dec 29, 2018 Before spreading any sand on your level sub-base, position two tubes within the excavated area so they are parallel to one another. Use the tubes' height as a gauge for the sand

Nov 04, 2019 Sand is often used as a base beneath bricks to provide long-term stability. Laying Pavers Without Sand While some people install pavers without sand, they do so at their peril.

Dec 09, 2018 How to Pack Down Rock Before Pouring Concrete. Whether you pour concrete for a walkway or patio, a strong gravel base is required to prevent the concrete from cracking and shifting.

you need to dig out to a depth of 250-300 mm ,then fill with hardcore ( mot or crusher run) to leave100mm for the concrete,make sure that this is well compacted and level, you will then have to fix shuttering to the size of the base making sure it is level and square,allthough not essential for a shed it is advisable to put a waterproof memnrane down to stop damp rising into the concrete

Before you get started. Use the Calculator to estimate how many 20kg bags you will need; Read the Hints Tips section; If there is a specified concrete strength required for your project (i.e. N20/10) you must call in the professionals and have the concrete delivered via a truck - its the only way to ensure a specified final strength of concrete.

Using Sand Between Patio Pavers. Sand between pavers will compact to a degree, yet still remain porous enough for good drainage. Typically concrete sand is used as a base layer and leveling medium for patios and walkways made of concrete

Jul 17, 2017 Repurposing a plain concrete slab as a foundation saves you the trouble of removing the concrete and results in a strong, long-lasting base. Check the condition of the concrete prior, and patch any pits or cracks. Set the pavers over a 1-inch layer of grit sand or 1/2 inch of mortar, and use

In fact, there’s many ways to handle a situation like this–but if a customer brings me a small concrete patio and then tells me they want to replace it with a larger, dry laid stone patio, my first option would almost always be to overlay the concrete

If steel is called for, it should be rebars (not wire mesh) and spacers used. I live in a mild environment and we pour exterior unreinforced slabs about 15' x 15' before we start to using reinforcing. If we use reinforcing, then it needs to placed in the middle of the slab and meet the Pe ratio of steel to concrete

Applying Sand. The process of placing the sand also requires attention to detail. Pour the sand onto the pavers and sweep it into the joints. Using a broom handle or some other blunt object, tap on the pavers. This will cause the sand to consolidate. Sweep more sand into the joints until the sand

Use a hand tamper or a compactor machine, and go over the entire bottom of the foundation until your shoes don't leave footprints. Before adding pea gravel into the foundation, frame the inner walls with pressure-treated wood boards. The boards will act as edge restraints, reinforcing the gravel base

High-strength concrete: Pre-mixed of cement, sand, gravel and additives, this concrete blend is perfect to use as a foundation, footer or bases for heavy equipment. It typically sets in about 10-12 hours. Crack-resistant cement: A pre-blended mix of cement, sand

They are added to the concrete mix at the concrete plant or on the job-site. It's mixed right in the concrete truck making the process very easy. You can purchase the color from a concrete supply store and bring it to the concrete plant the day before the pour

Mar 12, 2008 But do they deliver the wearability, durability and ease of application that would help make concrete colored with water-based stains more appealing to customers? How they work. To