Can i use sharp sand to make cement for patio?

BaileyB

Hi,

Have around 1/2 ton of sharp sand here and am wondering if can use this to make a cement mix to lay a patio/pavers with,

The patio will be going on a solid concrete slab.

Any help would be much appricated, and if anyone knows the correct ratio that be most helpful.

Thank you

keystone

BaileyB wrote: »

Hi,

Have around 1/2 ton of sharp sand here and am wondering if can use this to make a cement mix to lay a patio/pavers with,

The patio will be going on a solid concrete slab.

Any help would be much appricated, and if anyone knows the correct ratio that be most helpful.

Thank you

Sharp is just right. Don't let anyone tell you to use builders. For this sort of DIY light usage use 10 to 1 at around 30 - 50mm thickness. Half a ton won't go very far - how big is the area?

Cheers

BaileyB

Its around 4mx4m and a touch more to that for a small path.

10 to 1 thats a very weak mix for cement? These will be going directly on a solid concrete base so needs to be a "sloppy" mix not a dry mix.

keystone

You can lay it straight on the sand if you want for less than 450 x 450 slabs without the cement whih is only a binder anyway. Why do you think it needs to be sloppy? How do you achieve drainage over the concrete if the water can't run through the sand? You'll need about a ton BTW.

Cheers