Gravel or Ballast !!!!

[rogmacc]

Are they the same thing with different names ?
Does it matter which I use ?
im hoping to make my own patio slabs and have been given the ratio but one said Ballast and another said Gravel.
Also how do I know when there is enough water or is it "try & see" ?
Many Thanks
Roger

 

[RedHerring]

Ballst is sand & gravel mixed. So if you want a 1:2:4 cement:sand:gravel mix you'd probably go for a 1:5/6 cement:ballast

I think you'll need to research the project of creating your own slabs quite thoroughly. It's not only a case of the right mix & slump (a way of determining the amount of water). It's also a case of ensuring air is not trapped in the mix and some specialised equipment exists to create these kind of concrete products.

 

[noseall]

This has come up before.