How to dilute cement

It is well known that for the preparation of a classic cement mixture, the initial three lobes of sand are kneaded with one lobe of cement. But there are a number of other types of cement mortars, the proportions in which differ markedly from those given above. In this article we will try to tell you about how to properly dilute cement with and without sand, consider the proportions to take components.

Composition of cement mortar

Cement mortar used in the course of construction activities is a plastic mixture, which consists of a special binder (cement) and a filler of one kind or another. In addition, water is added to this solution, as the evaporation of which the finished material hardens and over time turns into a monolith. Cement is widely used when carrying out construction works of the widest profile. Note that the ready-made solutions, most often used in construction, are simple and mixed. Cement and lime mortars are usually considered as simple compositions, and cement-lime and a number of others are mixed. The role of the filler, which is part of the cement mix, is played, as a rule, by the following materials:

• river or quarry sand;
• slag waste;
• small pieces of stone;
• sawdust and others

Types of mortar

According to its intended purpose, all cement mortars are divided into the following categories:

• the base solutions used at arrangement of the concrete bases;
• mortars used for masonry, as well as for bonding other building materials;
• cement screeds;
• cement milk.

In the manufacture of cement masonry mortar sand and cement are usually mixed, based on a ratio of three to one, resulting in a homogeneous mass of gray. In the manufacture of foundations, special grades of cement are used, and bulk materials such as gravel, crushed stone or expanded clay can be used as a filler.

For the preparation of cement screeds, the main components of the finished mortar (M500 cement and well-cleaned sand) are also taken in the classic one-to-three ratio. Cement milk is used in a series of finishing operations and is a mixture of cement and water in the proportion determined by its intended purpose.

To obtain solutions with an optimal working density, it is recommended to select cements of different grades, but special attention is paid to the exact calculation of the amount of sand in them. For cement grade M200, their proportion should be 1: 3.5; for the M300, this figure is one to five, and for the M400 brand - one to six.

Making solutions

To prepare the cement slurry, a wide container or a pallet made from planks is used, where a layer of cement is poured alternately, and then a layer of sand. For the convenience of preparing the mixture, the number of such layers can be increased to 6, which will allow you to mix both its components thoroughly. After the dry mixture is ready, water is added to it in small doses, and then the resulting composition is thoroughly stirred until a homogeneous mass is formed. For masonry, a solution of a thicker consistency is needed, and for pouring floors - a more fluid one.

Experts recommend mixing at once a very large portion of the solution, because within a certain time (about an hour), it can lose its binding properties.

If you figured out how to dilute cement for the foundation, then you can easily perform the following operations:

• foundation preparation;
• plastering walls;
• manufacture of cement screed, etc.

Video

The following video material presents material for the preparation of cement mortar for masonry: