Concrete for new dog run

[norma 308]

Just doing a new kennel block what strength concrete should I be asking for when I have a ring around for costs
cheers Norma

 

[20/20]

same as for stabbles mate to avoid urine rotting the concrete ask for c35 mix

atb steve

 

[Roedinator]

same as for stabbles mate to avoid urine rotting the concrete ask for c35 mix

atb steve

thats the stuff I was going to say Steve is that the one with the fibres mixed in ?
regards pete

 

[20/20]

no not as standard pete fibres are extra funily enough got a price off hansons today £97+ vat per M3 with fibers

steve

 

[woodmaster]

Don't use fibre reinforced. you don't need reinforcing in a dog base and the fibres just won't help. We have tried it in cattle sheds and it's no good.

 

[norma 308]

I was just going to throw some weld mesh off cuts I had its a 4metre by 3 metre base ?
Norma

 

[Stingercargill]

A tonne and a half of gravel and six bags of cement

 

[Brough]

Norma if your thinking of readymix you need to ask for pav 2 used in farmyards etc

Brough

 

[roedeerred]

mix by hand will be much cheaper and enlist a mate to help as above
ensure a well compacted base
let concrete cure and spend money saved on sealing coat of some description (like polycote) which will resist urine

take the helper for a stalk after youll have loads of voulenteers

 

[Gazza]

Ask Red Dot. Believe it or not the man knows his concrete.

 

[paul o']

2 p worth.

I would go for c35A .as there will be pee etc and you prob be using a pressure washer at some point ,also should help prevent ice build up over the years and help prevent cracking .

found you this:--WATERPROOF CONCRETE VS C35 VS C35A

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/cpd-26-2014-introduction-to-waterproof-concrete/5071050.articl

 

[paul dillon]

Hi Norma,

Don't use fibres in the concrete as not all will be left under the surface even when power floated there are always fibres protruding through the surface and you don't want them piercing your dogs pads very pain full especially if one snaps off in there

ATB
Paul D

 

[mollydog]

I would use a c35 strength with no fibres don't be tempted to add water to make it easier to lay either as when the water dries out you get a lot of capillaries allowing urine to ingress the concrete
hope this helps

 

[RED-DOT]

Thanks Gazza.
C30/35N super plasticised and no less than 100mm deep on tamped type1 with a DPM and spaced mesh @ 50mm (1/2) total depth. A powder hardener sprinkled on the top then power floated to the finish you want. Bardons are always the superior product way above the rest as their minimum 7 day strength is better than all the rest by miles. Guide price £83/M delivered depending on distance. Don't be tempted by these mix on site cowboys as they make their money on NOT adding cement. Good C30/35 will have 350Kgs per metre.

 

[countrryboy]

I'm going to ask a stupid question??

I realise all the different number represent differnt strengths etc, how much difference is there in cement content?

So if u were going convert to mix with a mixer wot sort of mix would u be looking at? (3:4, 5 to 1) And if hand mixing would u use 10mm, 20mm ballast or a mix with sharp sand etc

Got a kennel to build next spring

 

[RED-DOT]

If you mixed pure OPC with water it would get no harder than 55 newton metres but add plasticisers and/or mica silica it could top 100 NM's. Its all about adding flow without water ("cement to water ratios"). A super plasticised product will flow better than the equivalent slump achieved by water. Curing will happen faster and end strength will be higher. Readymix is all about achieving designed strength by cement percentages being as little as possible.

 

[dirtdigger]

red dot are you a batcher ? I would put a fall on the concrete to a channel drain at 1 end so when you wash it down it has some where to go .a coat of industrial floor paint will help stop water getting in and stop dust from the concrete to. if you brush bare concrete it will make dust

 

[norma 308]

Thanks everyone I'm putting a channel in too as these will be my whelping kennels and with pups I expect a lot of poo.i shall enquire about a power float too never done that and it looked pretty technical when I last saw it on site esp the sit on type I'll see how much the walk behinds are .
cheers again
norma

 

[RED-DOT]

If you get a long hand metal float you will get the desired finish if you can span the area with a scaffie baton but i advise against a brush finish as that harbours bacteria and is a devil to clean. Also consider "air entrainer" for any concrete laid outside. It adds millions of tiny bubbles that prevents cracking due to expansion and contraction caused by heat & cold.
V
Floor paint or tiles look great but a nicely floated surface is all you will need?

 

[miffy]

To get a nice finish replace the tamp with a pice of plastic pipe