2torial #0675:
Learn2 Mix Cement (continued)

Set up your work area

Given the effort it takes just to mix cement, you'll want to cut down on any excess labor before you start the procedure, plus take a few safety precautions:

Make preparations. Have all the prep work done before you start mixing. This includes any digging or building of forms (the mold, usually made out of wood or heavy-duty cardboard, into which the concrete is poured to set).

Use a level surface. Avoid setting up your work area on an incline or an unstable surface. You'll be mixing in a wheelbarrow, which can tip easily, and you don't want to accidentally spill a mixed batch. (If you do have a spill, shovel as much as you can back in. If the spill is on dirt or grass, wait for the remains to dry, then rake them up. If the spill is on a paved or stone surface, hose the remains off while they're still wet.)

Keep materials close. Make sure all your materials, as well as a water supply, are located as close as possible to your work project. You don't want to be lugging sand or cement bags across the yard each time you mix a new batch. Remember that most building supply stores will deliver your materials, usually if they meet a minimum weight requirement. If you decide to do this, be specific about where you want them put.

Keep materials dry before use. Keep cement bags--pre-mixed or Portland--away from all moisture until you're ready to use them. If you have to leave them out overnight, make sure they're resting on a platform (like a wooden pallet) off the ground, and are completely covered by a waterproof tarp.