New builder porch. Screed or concrete only

[mrbg07546]

I am building a porch. Which at some point want to tile. Do I need to screed it? Someone did tell me stones in the concrete can make the tiling level off so it's best to screed

 

[23vc]

Is the slab already poured?

 

[mrbg07546]

No I am doing the concrete floor tommorow

 

[23vc]

Pretty sure your easier pouring all the way to ffl then self levelling if required

 

[mrbg07546]

Pretty sure your easier pouring all the way to ffl then self levelling if required

Thanks. Below desired floor level how much depth should I leave for the self leveller.

 

[23vc]

your better off trying to get it spot on if it's a small area (porch?), trowel it to a good flat finish as its going off. Any slight dips you can then fix with self levelling.

 

[mrbg07546]

Thanks. First time at concreting floor! Hope it works out. I have a metal trowel. Any other tips/tools to get a smooth finish? I was thinking a piece of straight edge timber and a level on top.

 

[23vc]

Tamp it level when it's still wet but you trowel it much later on as its going off, hard to explain but I reckon with a small area you'll see what I mean. Your just taking out ridges and trying to get it smooth as poss. Don't mess about and over work it while it's still wet. If it's not perfect enough for tiles you can then sort the odd bit with self levelling.
Think noseall wrote a much better description of this once but can't remember the thread!

 

[JohnD]

tamping and sawing it with a board will bring it pretty level and move excess from high spots to fill low.

Don't overwork it with your metal trowel, this will bring a cream of water and cement to the surface which will flake off in service. If necessary you can work it slightly with a wooden trowel you can make yourself. Let it stiffen and if necessary give it a final quick smooth with the metal float.

 

[mrbg07546]

Excellent thanks for your advice. I know it depends on water content but when you say "stiffen" before using metal trowel- how long is that typically.

Additionally for mixing concrete I will use 1 part cement and 6 ballast. What's a good way to know water quantity. Is a bucket a good starter point? I was also told when you can squeeze cement to a ball in your hands the textures is good. Any advice?

 

[23vc]

No mate your getting confused with screed mix, that's a semi dry mix that you can hold in your hand etc. You want a wet concrete mix, did you pour the footings?

 

[mrbg07546]

my labourer cancelled on me. But the approach I will take do a 1 concrete to 6 ballast and bucket it each as I'm a beginner.

What order should I do in mixer? I was thinking

Half a bucket of water
Bucket ballast
Bucket ballast
Bucket ballast
Bucket cement
Bucket ballast
Bucket ballast
Bucket ballast

And then add any more water to get a sloppy consistency.

Does this typical work in a standard size mixer?

 

[23vc]

I do 2 shovels cement to 10-12 balast, water first. Could fit more in the mixer though but I tend to be a shovels man not buckets

 

[mrbg07546]

Thanks. Gonna make a start in the morning 7.30 am. I will send pics.

Gonna do 150mm hardcore. 50mm sand and 100mm of concrete .

 

[theprinceofdarkness]

"Standard sized mixer" ? Standard sized bucket?, Experiment with ballast only. I have forgotten now, but for smaller jobs I used bagged ballast, I think I used one bag ballast + 3 1/2 litres of cement, measured with dumpy plastic measuring jug. (Don't get caught using the misses one ).
Bit short on Porch details, open / closed, construction brick/plastic. . .. How high is the slab as the front edge may be seem, how is damp dealt with. . . Once your concrete goes off you may regret it.

Frank