I am pouring footings for my deck using 10" concrete tubes. Can I add the dry mix and just add water? HELP!!
Question:I have bought a deck kit from Menards. This kit included 9 - 10" concrete tubes and 45 bags of 60lb concrete mix. The tubes take 5 bags a piece to fill to the 48" height. I also need to install a concrete anchor at the top of each tube so I can install the 4" x 4" post anchor. I know I do not need footings that deep (48") but I want to use up all the concrete mix so I dont have to return it. Its only $3.00 a bag. More work to return it. My question is - can I pour a bag of dry mix in and just add some water and continue on until all 5 bags are added to the one tube? I most certainly do not want to mix 45 bags by hand.
ill it still except the concrete anchor if I do it that way? Will It also set up so I can attach the post anchor to it? I will leave the tubes in? Please help. I need to get this Deck moving.
Answers:
The concrete will not likely set up to the proper PSI to hold the anchor you will be using unless you mix first then pour.
A large plastic wheelbarrow is best for the job.
Rather than fill these holes completely with concrete, leave it at least a foot below grade so that the posts have a clean look.
Also, there a post wrap you can use so that the post can be encased in concrete. Comes in a tar-like form as well.
it is done everyday. I would mix it in a wheel barrow or bucket then pour it . or if you have a whip fir a drill like the kind for mixing sheetrock mud.
reading and following the direction on the cement bag always works for me.
Cut the tubes to the height you need and premix the concrete. It will fall apart if you try to mix it in the tube.
No way. Your not putting on a fence post. You need to premix it the make sure that there are no dry spots or air gaps. If you do have them you can have the footings collaps with a heavy load. Just rent a small mixer. Yes you leave the tubes in.
HELL NO! been there and done that, the concrete does not get mixed Oh and sono tubes (concrete tubes) are not for putting in the ground, they are for raising a footing out of the ground. If you are pouring footings flush to grade or sub surface grade you do not need sono tubes. Using sono tubes the full length under ground completely waists the integrity of the purpose of footings. Concrete poured in the ground fills all the imperfections and basically wedges itself in the ground. If you were to use a sono tube you will have essentially have just buried a concrete column that will sit in the hole loosely. My suggestion to you is have a neighbor that has done this before come over for a "BEER" wink wink.
Not with conventional concrete.
They need to be mixed and used per directions. See: http://www.bamburicement.com/use.htm...
There are non-mixing cements available.
I recommend Quikrete.
http://www.quikrete.com/productlines/con...
You can find these at Lowes and Home Depot.
P.S. If you want to use what you have (45 bags of the 60lb mix). Copy down the label and info on the bag and go to Home Depot/Lowes reps in that department and ask for advice on how to best prepare it if you have questions.
That is the easiest way to do it and the way that I see them do it on the shows where they do a backyard makeover. So if they do it that way, it must be the right way!
O.K. James, here is the reality. You have to mix it. You don't need to break your back. I poured 16 12" tubes 48" deep for my shop. I bought a cheap electric mixer from HarborFreight.com. Just cut and paste. The smallest mixer will mix two of your bags at a time, and pour straight into the tube. The mixer only costs $130.00, and is really worth it.
After the footing has cured, you peal away the tube left above grade for aesthetics.
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