How to Mix Concrete

Ahh the art of mixing concrete. While simple in theory, there are a few important steps to follow to ensure your concrete is mixed properly and your driveway, paths or other projects are ready to handle whatever you want to throw at them. Mixing concrete shouldn’t feel complicated. It’s all about nailing the right balance of water and concrete mix to achieve the perfect consistency for a smooth result.

To make mixing concrete even easier, you can simply hire all the equipment you need from your local Hirepool branch. Not only will it save you money, but we will make sure you are only getting the best quality equipment to ensure you get the job done well. If you need a helping hand at any stage, reach out to the friendly team at Hirepool.

Why you should mix your own concrete

Mixing your own concrete is a much more affordable way to get the job done. It can be helpful for a wide variety of DIY projects, including:

Garage bases
Garden paths
Driveways
Shed foundations
Paver patios

Not to mention, mixing your own concrete can be pretty straightforward, especially when you use Ready-mix concrete. Ready-mix has a bunch of benefits, saving you time and money without sacrificing quality. It is also considered an eco-friendly option, as it is created from sustainable materials. When you purchase ready-mix, you can feel confident in its durability. Designed to be highly weather-resistant and abrasion-resistant, it is truly a no-brainer.

What we'll cover

Equipment you'll need
Tools explained
Instructions

Tools explained

Equipment you’ll need for this job

The only equipment needed for this job is a bucket for water, a square-mouth shovel, a wheelbarrow and ready-mix concrete.

Your wheelbarrow does double duty for this job; ensuring that you have a large area to mix the concrete in, as well as helping you to transport the mixed concrete to your work area straight away.

If you’re planning on pouring concrete for a larger project or more than one application, you’ll want to have a concrete mixer on hand. Concrete mixers keep your wet concrete at the perfect consistency, can ensure your mix is free from dry spots and offer you more time to pour your mix, so you’re not in a race against time to pour it before it sets.

Don’t own a concrete mixer or a wheelbarrow (or want to keep yours for less messy tasks?) Call into your local Hirepool to hire them! Hiring equipment is a cheap and easy option, as Hirepool will only charge you for the time that you need it, saving you the large upfront costs of buying or replacing them. Hirepool has two different wheelbarrows available; both a regular concrete wheelbarrow and a motorised concrete wheelbarrow. For most jobs, a regular concrete wheelbarrow will do the trick, but if your worksite is on a hill and you plan on carrying heavier loads of concrete mix, then you should opt for the motorised wheelbarrow and save yourself the extra effort.

If you’re after a concrete mixer, Hirepool has a range of standard concrete mixers and towable concrete mixers, including a petrol-powered option if you are working on a site without access to power, so you’re covered for jobs of any size.

Instructions

Step 1. (Steps for mixing concrete in a wheelbarrow) Prepare to mix the concrete

Preparation is the key to every successful DIY project, and mixing concrete is no exception. Load up your wheelbarrow with the tools you will need and wheel your gear and concrete mix as close to your project area as possible, making sure you still have access to a water supply.

Before you start mixing, make sure you have the correct safety equipment to protect your eyes, skin and lungs. Cement in concrete can be very dangerous and painful if inhaled or if it comes into contact with your skin, so be sure to follow concrete safety advice and wear appropriate protection, including gloves, long-sleeve tops and full-length pants, eye protection and a dust mask.

Step 2. Slice and dump the bag

Ready to mix? Make sure that your wheelbarrow is on an even surface, then place the bag of concrete inside of the wheelbarrow and use a shovel to slice open the bag. Dump the mix that is inside the bag into the wheelbarrow by carefully lifting and removing the bag.

Step 3. Add Water

Now it’s time to add the water. As a general rule of thumb, it takes 2 and ½ litres of water per 20kg bag of concrete mix to get the desired consistency. You’ll find that recommendations for how much water to add will usually be stated on the bag of concrete mix, and it’s best to follow these guidelines. To avoid making the concrete too thin and soupy, add the water slowly using your bucket rather than a hose, being mindful of how much water in total you’re adding to the mix.

Step 4. Mix the concrete and water

This is where it all comes together!

Continue to incorporate the water into the dry concrete mix, folding the mix over itself and stabbing it using the shovel to get the right consistency.

Repeat this process to thoroughly mix the concrete, ensuring there are no big dry clumps and the mix achieves a thick, even consistency that’s workable. If your mix is too thick, crumbly or falls in chunks when touched, you will need to slowly add more water. If you’ve accidentally added too much water and your concrete mix is runny, more concrete dry mix will need to be added to firm things up again.

Step 5. (Steps for mixing concrete in a concrete mixer) Prepare to mix the concrete in a mixer

Following the same steps as above, make sure you have safety gear on and that you are in a central position on the site where you will be pouring. If necessary, protect the ground where you are pouring by placing your freestanding mixer on a tarpaulin and connecting to power or filling it with fuel before turning it on.

Ensure you have a hose and that it’s connected to a water source ready for mixing.

Step 6. Coat the inside of the mixer with water

Switch on the mixer, so it’s spinning and taking your hose, coat the inside of the concrete mixer with a little bit of water to ensure that dry concrete doesn’t get clumped or stuck in the back of the mixer.

Step 7. Slice, dump the bags and mix with water

When using a mixer, you’ll be dumping in the bags of concrete at a rate of ½ a bag or 1 bag at a time, adding water in between each half or full bag to achieve the right consistency. After each concrete addition, use the hose to wet the concrete and spray around the inside of the mixer to get it wet and even.

Step 8. Repeat the process, adding more concrete and water

Continue to add bags of cement and water, being mindful of the mixing ratios outlined on the product until the desired consistency is achieved and you are ready to pour. Keep it mixing until you need it, then transfer your mix to a wheelbarrow by tipping the mixer up as it spins and transporting the mix to where you need it to pour.

Sounds pretty simple right?

It is! Mixing concrete is a job anyone can do, but following these handy tips will help you achieve a strong, smooth result every time. Once you’ve nailed the perfect concrete mix, you’ll be ready to pour; check out our handy guide here and call into your local Hirepool branch for the gear to get the job done!

Other guides for Paths, Patios & Driveways

DIY Guide

How to Pour Concrete

In this guide we’ll explain the best way to pour concrete when it comes to preparation and technique so that you’ll get it right on the first time. You won’t need to call in any specialists for the job and you might find many of the tools needed for this job in your shed!

DIY Guide

How to Polish Concrete Floors

With this easy step-by-step guide, you will learn how to grind and polish concrete. When you’re ready to give concrete grinding and polishing a go at home, come into your local Hirepool branch and speak to one of our friendly local experts.

How to Mix Concrete