storing cement

[Delinquent]

After some of the recent works, one of the nice companies decided to leave the left over cement... all 14 bags of it! It's most definitely got plenty of places to be used, but the next stage isn't likely to happen for at least 6 weeks, and at the moment it's just sat wrapped in a large poly sheet - is that good enough or should I be doing something with it?! Wifey didn't seem to keen on it going in the lounge (mentions of blunt instruments and family jewels meeting...)

 

[chessspy]

Hi, Del,
It'll last a few weeks if you keep it dry.
Put it in your shed if the house isn't available.
Keep it sealed as best as you can otherwise.
The problem is that it's hygroscopic, (water hungry) and will suck any moisture out of the atmosphere given the slightest chance.

 

[Delinquent]

Cheers Chessspy, unfortunately the shed is one of the things on the list to be replaced, it's got more leaks than a welsh allotment - I'll see if one of the neighbours is feeling generous!

 

[roy c]

14 bags, 6 weeks, you going to use all of it? if not don't bother, buy it when you need it.......

 

[JohnD]

you might consider sliding a binbag or similar over each bag, squeeze the air out and tape it up tightly


As chessspy says it will absorb moisture from the air.

However, the good news is that "if it is free of lumps that cannot easily be broken up in the fingers" it is considered OK to use.

You will notice when it set into a rock-like block

 

[Delinquent]

yeah going to use all of it plus some - loaaaaads of retaining walls, blockwork, footings and stuff to go in. In fact it'll only be the tip of the iceberg really, just seemed a shame to waste it!!!

Neighbour has kindly offered to babysit it for us in their nice dry garage

 

[JohnD]

well I'd put them in binbags anyway. they can absorb moisture from the air, and through concrete floors.

 

[Thermo]

if they are the mastercrete plastic bags then there shouldnt be too much of a problem. we store the stuff in an old stable block in my yard, and they keep for ages. As john says they sometimes get the odd hard lump in but that can be removed.

 

[Jeff543]

How about in a bin-bag in a disused wheelie bin in the garden?

 

[John D v2.0]

If it's in the basic lined paper bags I agree wrap them and keep them warm and under cover, but if it's already in unopened plastic bags from the factory those are basically waterproof so you could leave it in your pond and it would be fine.

 

[cdbe]

I reckon it's probably gone off by now.

 

[lostinthelight]

Agree, if in paper bags ive kept them in dustbin or recycling bags stored for over a year . If plastic wrapped mastercrete , i've used that, after 6 years and not a sign of a lump, couldn't believe it when I opened the bags.