Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [cement]

246 questions
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How much does cement weigh after it has set?

I'm looking to make some weight plates for a home gym and so I am planning on using cement to make the plates. But I know that some water will be absorbed and not evaporated when making the cement so it will be hard for me to get the weight that I…
Aequitas
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Quikrete didn't absorb much water. What did I do wrong?

I am installing a hammock support post to support one end of a hammock. Following the manufacturers instructions, I dug a hole 18" in diameter to about 25" deep. Our soil is red clay, if that matters, and it hasn't rained recently. I put about 2…
Mark E. Haase
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Best practice for filling a pit in a concrete slab?

I have in my barn (concrete floor) a pit, of about 36" x 60" x 10" deep which was originally used to install some machinery by the previous owner. I have no use for it, and would rather have the floor space than a safety hazard. I don't know how…
Nick
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Should I use platicizer as an additive to mortar

I keep having problems with the joints in my patio flags, after each winter the joints often break up and it is a major job to keep the patio in good condition. I usually use a mix or Portland cement and Sharp sand in 4:1 ratio but it is clearly not…
Peter
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What could have caused an electrical shock from a concrete patio?

I didn't feel it myself, but my son-in-law and my own son said they were shocked when they touched the cemented ground in our backyard. We bought a new metal fire pit which we had set up and both men were picking up some wood off the cement when…
Wendy
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How long for this cement smell to go?

Somebody recently came and filled this deep hole up with cement. It has been giving off a strong odor. Does cement typically smell and how long will it take for the smell to go mostly and eventually completely.
James Wilson
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Using white cement + water to mould a part

I'm trying to cast a small robotics part for a local college. Its small in size but needs to be heavy. So far I've created one with epoxy resin and it is okay. However, for the same size, I wanted something denser to make it heavier. I was hoping to…
electrophile
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Is it safe to pour concrete and use mortar in freezing weather?

I have a 1947 cape (Cape Cod style home) in New England. The basement egress walls which are made of unfilled cinder blocks and run parallel to the house under the porch are caving in. I thus have to have them broken up and have new walls…
domicile
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The best way to secure utility sink legs to concrete floor

I have a utility sink with metal legs which was never anchored when installed and would like to anchor it to the cement floor. Don't want to go to the expense of using Tapcon screws. Thanks for your help.
provlima
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How to dislodge bluestones sitting in cement? (Pictures)

I need to move this wall, but I want to reuse the bluestone for the new wall. So they need to stay whole. Luckily, there isn't any cement between the bluestones- they're just sitting in it. Has anyone tried to do this before? What tools did you…
Stacey Moss
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cement cracked around mailbox

I cemented my mailbox to hold it steady but the cement cracked and now it is wobbly. Does anyone know why that happened? I probably need to dig the concrete out and replace it with new concrete and gravel. I didn't put in gravel the first time.…
user73784
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4x4 post in a 5 gal bucket

I'm building a lean-to off my 12x20 shop. I have trees surrounding the building so I can't dig a hole for the 4x4 post. The header is on the shop at 7 ft and the rafters to extend out 8 ft and attach to 2 4x4 post that are cemented in 5 gal…
Ted
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Sitting water after overnight cure

I placed 4, 4x4s in 5 gal buckets to hang a shade sail. I used 1 gal of water per bag. This was last night at 7pm. 75°. 50's overnight. 10am, 2 still have water in them and the other 2 still feel soft. Almost like clay. Did we add too much water?…
Jeremy
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Leveling Cement to lay laminate flooring

We ripped up carpet in our hallway and found multiple variations of cement heights. What is the best way to fix the issue before laying the flooring so it doesn't crack? The 3 triangles in the picture are all different heights. The triangle closest…
Krissy
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Does cement smell/gas off after a few hours?

I may use cement to fill some deep holes. I read that it cures in 30 days and will gas off for 30 days. This may however mean after a few hours it will mostly be cured and then it will gas off an unnoticeable amount but Im not sure. I need to pick…
James Wilson
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