What cement mix to use?

[acknowledged74]

Hi

I am looking to bed in sleepers, with cement, for the edge of a paved path and to edge some steps, the sleepers will be walked on.

I think I need them to be secure like a brick wall would be at the bottom, so that I can fill the space between them with Type 1, compact and then lay my paving.

What mix of cement should I use i.e. what ratio cement to sand, presumably no gravel is used? should it be a moist or wet mix etc?

All advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[limerockconstruction]

Hi

I am looking to bed in sleepers, with cement, for the edge of a paved path and to edge some steps, the sleepers will be walked on.

I think I need them to be secure like a brick wall would be at the bottom, so that I can fill the space between them with Type 1, compact and then lay my paving.

What mix of cement should I use i.e. what ratio cement to sand, presumably no gravel is used? should it be a moist or wet mix etc?

All advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cement and sand = mortar
Mortar + gravel = Concrete

 

[noseall]

They can be bedded and haunched the same as any other edging, i.e. with concrete.

I personally steer away from wooden products that are in contact with the ground as I prefer my jobs to last. Modern 'sleepers' are pants and despite the fact that they are treated does not mean that they will not rot.

A lot depends upon how exposed the timber is and its location within the garden. You will often find that timber products last a heck of a lot longer if they are on the sunny warm side of a garden as opposed to those that are shaded and constantly damp.

The problem is timber stuff is easy to work with, easy to transport, and easy to fit. A real boon for diy'ers.

 

[acknowledged74]

OK so a 80mm x 4:1 damp mortar mix would do the trick?

Yep pretty sunny and will get little foot fall.

 

[acknowledged74]

anyone?