Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Concrete Mix

Note

Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.

Before You Shop

Some things to consider before you shop for concrete:

An 80-pound bag, after mixing, fills about .6 cubic feet of space. When calculating what you need for projects such as patios and walkways, though, round up to allow for any uneven ground at the base.
If you’re going to need more than a few bags, skip hand-mixing concrete and rent a portable mixer. Here’s why: A 10-ft. x 10-ft. slab 4 in. thick would require 55 80-pound bags.
Not all concrete mixes work best for all applications. A basic concrete mix works for many small projects, such as setting posts, while a high-strength or crack-resistant mix works better for patching a driveway. Avoid substituting a mortar mix for a concrete mix.
Plan to keep the concrete surface slightly moist for 3 to 5 days while it cures to prevent cracks. Mist it lightly from time to time or apply a curing compound once the surface becomes firm.

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Good to Know

For projects that don't require a lot of concrete, look for smaller, 10-pound bags of concrete mix. They're easier to manage than full-size bags and don't leave you with as much leftover material to store.

Mix Your Concrete

Watch our DIY Basics Video: How Do I Set a Post in Concrete?

Instructions

A woman emptying concrete mix into a black plastic mixing trough.

Place the concrete bag in the mixing trough or wheelbarrow and cut along the width of the bag. Stand upwind and lift both ends gradually to empty it into the trough.

Caution

Concrete mix reacts with water -- and that includes the moisture in your eyes, lungs, and skin. Keep safe by wearing waterproof gloves and splash-resistant goggles from the time you open the bags until the time you’ve poured the concrete in place. If conditions are windy, add a respirator to your safety precautions.

Someone holding concrete mixed to the consistency of peanut butter in the palm of their gloved hand.

Instead of adding more water to dry pockets, work the corners and sides of the trough into the mix to soak up excess moisture in the middle. Keep mixing until the concrete reaches the consistency of peanut butter and the dry pockets are gone. To test the mixture, grab a fistful of concrete in your gloved hand and give it a squeeze. The ball of concrete should retain its shape and not drip out between your fingers.

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Mix Concrete by Hand