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Thread ID: 107923 2010-03-07 11:47:00 Concrete easy to do? lance4k (4644) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
864753 2010-03-08 07:07:00 I've always done it my way & never had a problem. I have done it down the hole lol. That turned out ok too, but I did find it went off quicker that way.
My brother in law (UK builder) said many years ago to use washing up liquid in pug & concrete. I read somewhere a little while ago that you're not supposed to do it now. Something to do with the chemical reaction process
Phil B (648)
864754 2010-03-08 07:11:00 Now there is a very expensive additive you are supposed to use - it is ok for washing dishes too. ;) R2x1 (4628)
864755 2010-03-08 07:19:00 Any good for teeth? Gotta be cheaper than sensodyne ;> Phil B (648)
864756 2010-03-08 07:33:00 Good for other people's teeth maybe ;) R2x1 (4628)
864757 2010-03-08 08:24:00 3 bags? Who said anything about 3 bags?

My ex next door neighbour built a fence using that stuff for the posts. Just about all of them are now loose & I reckon it's cos he tipped the stuff down the hole & poured the water on top. You can't mix the stuff properly with a post stuck in the middle of it
Actually I think you will find you put the water in the hole first and then pour in the rapid set concrete.
I heard about this guy who decided to mix a couple of bags in a concrete mixer. He ended up with a very expensive mistake.
mikebartnz (21)
864758 2010-03-08 08:30:00 Absolutely - 3 keys to successfully setting posts:

- Wet the hole

- Dig it out a little deeper than you need and backfill with builders fill (like coarse gravel) so the post has a solid surface to rest on

- Bang 4 100x4 galv nails into each face of the post (far enough in so it can still get into the hole) - this gives the post an anchor in the concrete so it doesn't slip down slightly . . . . Sounds silly, but when you add the weight of rails/palings (esp . wet timber) it can happen (usually when you dpn't do step 2!! :p
Instead of using the builders fill just lift the post slightly as you add the rapid set .
mikebartnz (21)
864759 2010-03-08 09:07:00 Early on in this post someone mentioned "an hour" - forget that. in the summer down this area you're lucky to get 15 minutes. agree with wetting the sides of the hole, add a few galvalised nails to anchor post to concrete and then just follow bag instructions. fence, gate posts and gazebo all worked well with this stuff, even though I own an electric mixer (which has been on loan to a son-in-law for about ten years). Scouse (83)
864760 2010-03-08 09:37:00 You are meant to pour the stuff in DRY, then ram it hard down. This will hold the post in place so you don't need bracing. Provided you don't live in a desert, you don't even need water, the concrete absorbs moisture from the soil. I generally squirt a bit on with a hose, mainly to wash down the concrete dust from the bottom half of the post. A bucket is a lot more than necessary. decibel (11645)
864761 2010-03-08 10:46:00 You are meant to pour the stuff in DRY, then ram it hard down. This will hold the post in place so you don't need bracing. Provided you don't live in a desert, you don't even need water, the concrete absorbs moisture from the soil. I generally squirt a bit on with a hose, mainly to wash down the concrete dust from the bottom half of the post. A bucket is a lot more than necessary.
You totally wet the hole and then add the amount of water then add the rapid set. Can't you people read instructions.
If you put it in dry you will have an inconsistent mix so weak concrete.
mikebartnz (21)
864762 2010-03-08 20:48:00 Heavy water is best, it stays in the hole better. Richard (739)
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