Has anyone used QuikCrete before?
Question:does it last, or is it a weaker type of cement only good for small projects?
I need to build a 3 tier concrete stepladder type object, that will be subjected to 105 degree summers and 30 degree winters.
Should I go with concrete or will the quikcrete hold up?
Answers:
Actually, there is no difference between QuikCrete and concrete. As stated above, QuikCrete is just a brand name of a type of concrete. Is is true that the reason it is "Quik" as they call it, is because the sand and aggregate is already mixed in and all you should have to add is water. The type that doesn't have anything mixed in is actually just cement. Cement is an ingredient in concrete.
Do you have engineering plans for the steps? I would say that if you are making it all one unit (one large concrete structure), you will want to put rebar in it for reinforcement. Stairway systems less than 4 feet tall in and are in a residential setting are often reinforced with "12 on 12" 3/8" rebar. This means that you will make a rebar cage with 3/8" rebar. The 12 on 12 means that the cross members will be 12" apart, and the vertical members will be 12" apart. So basically it is a cage that has 12" openings.
If you are interested in mixing the sand and aggregate together yourself, keep in mind that the strength (psi rating) of concrete varies with the type of sand and aggregate used. This is why it is usually better to buy the premixed stuff so that all you have to do is add water.
Hope that helped.
Quikcrete is just a brand. They make various types of concrete. Choose the one with the characteristics you want for your project
QuikCrete should be fine. As far as I know it's not intended for smaller jobs.
It should work just fine for that kind of project.
Quikrete is just a brand of concrete. You can get different types that are rated by PSI (basically stregnth). If making steps you will need to re-inforce the concrete with rebar (metal rods) You may also want to consider getting the fiber cement that use fiberglass to reinforce it as well as use the rebar.
I would also suggest you paint the conrete after it cures or seal it to protect it.
I've never had a problem with quickcrete. Used it to anchor fence posts and repair basement foundation cracks. GL
The difference between the quikcrete and concrete is that the quikcrete already has the sand or rock mixed with it. Since you have a small project, and you would need to mix sand or rock with the concrete any way, then you might as well use the premixed and save yourself the problem of getting sand or rock in addition to concrete.
As others have stated it's just a trade/brand name.
I use premix exclusively in any concrete work I do, and haven't had a complaint or failure yet. Premix is mixed with the same or similar formulas, it's just time saving. The aggregates and bonding agents are alike, and mixing to the proper consistency allows the same adhesion/cure time/strength.
Steven Wolf
I used quickcrete for a backyard patio, the quickcrete
was for the posts. We dug four holes that were 3 feet
each, filled them with quickcrete, and inserted the posts.
(This is outdoors, of course.) This was 6 years ago,
and everything is 100% fine still today.
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