For finishing of garden paths, parkings, the yards, etc. the practical and durable paving slabs are very often used. This popular facing material differs in simplicity in mounting and can have various coloring, texture and the sizes. If desired paving slabs, for example, for the yard of country house it is possible to make also with own hands.
Production of facing material of this kind differs in labor input, but at the same time technology represents nothing especially difficult. Such tools and the equipment will be necessary for independent casting of paving slabs for the yard of the house or giving:
- concrete mixer;
- buckets and shovel;
Also, of course, it is necessary to get or make with own hands of form for tile. From materials for production of such facing material will be necessary:
- fine gravel;
- sand;
- cement;
- oil for lubricant of forms;
- pigmental dye;
Main fabrication stages
It is necessary to fill in paving concrete slabs with the hands approximately on the following technology:
- in the concrete mixer prepare mix;
- establish forms on vibrotable;
- oil forms;
- include vibrotable;
- wait until mix evenly is distributed in form;
- leave tiles to dry in forms for 1-2 days.
Ready facing material is taken out from forms and left to dry not several days. Further tiles are used for designated purpose.
As it is correct to prepare mix
Concrete solution for paving slabs is recommended to be made only in the concrete mixer. Manually quality mix for casting of such facing material cannot almost be made, unfortunately.
When using manual technology of batch, solution anyway will turn out not especially uniform. Respectively, and the tile made of it will not differ too in good performance data.
Prepare concrete weight for production of paving slabs in proportion cement / small crushed stone / sand as 1/1/2. Waters at the same time take so much that ready solution had consistence of damp cottage cheese.
It is not recommended to dilute the prepared concrete mix with too large amount of water anyway extremely. Otherwise the tile will turn out further brittle and in use will begin to collapse quickly. It is necessary to use for production of sidewalk facing dense mix. In the subsequent at vibrocompaction in forms concrete all the same will become much more liquid and flexible.
For what softeners are necessary
This ingredient has to be present at the solution intended for production of paving slabs surely. Softener is necessary for increase in fluidity and elasticity of solution without the need for additional addition of water.
When using such substance, cement mix becomes more dense and strong. And it in turn, of course, very positively affects quality of ready paving slabs.
Preparation of softener for casting
It is necessary to use such mixes at mixing of mortar for tile in very small amounts. Only about a half of percent has to contain in the ready mass of softeners. If mix of this type is added to solution more, the ready tile, as well as at excess of water, can turn out too brittle.
Of course, softener, in addition, it is necessary for tiled solution also it is correct to prepare. Such mixes in specialized shops in a dry form are on sale. Before addition in cement mix they need to be parted with water.
For softener preparation:
- in some capacity pour the water which is warmed up up to 40 °C;
- fill up dry mix there;
- all carefully mix within at least 15 minutes the construction mixer.
Prepare softener at production of paving slabs in proportion water / dry mix as 2:1. After hashing it is necessary also also to infuse solution within several hours.
Prepare softener for solution under tile usually since evening. In this case in the morning this ingredient can just be mixed within 15 min. and to add to mix.
What is vibrotable
The equipment of this type if desired can be manufactured the hands. Constructive parts of the vibrotable intended for filling of paving slabs are:
- the frame welded from steel corner;
- the metal sheet laid over frame on spring or rubber shock-absorbers;
- the engine with the clown.
Width and length of "table-top" of such equipment are selected depending on the size of future tile. One vibrotable intended for production of such facing by the hands usually is calculated on 4-6 forms.
Short instruction for filling of forms
Forms under tile establish on table closely to each other. Such arrangement facilitates further the procedure of their filling.
After forms are established on vibrotable, carefully oil them some — vegetable or even, for example, just normal working off. This procedure allows to receive further tiles with ideally plain surface.
To all other when using oil in the course of production the paving slabs will not stick to walls and bottom of form. And it in turn facilitates further dredging of ready facing material.
The cement and sand solution prepared in the concrete mixer is stacked by means of trowel on the center of forms. After all tanks are filled, include vibrotable. Such equipment for receiving qualitative tile has to work not less than 3-4 min. After inclusion of table, mix under vibration begins to be distributed evenly in forms.
After on the surface of cement mix in tanks there is white "skin", the table can be switched off. Further follows:
- to cover forms with solution film or, for example, piece of plywood;
- within a day periodically to water the stiffening tiles in order to avoid emergence on them surface fissures.
Take out ready facing material from forms most often on second day after filling. The stiffened tiles place in the dry dark place and leave to ripen still at least for 5 days.
Use of pigments
Actually concrete, as we know, has not too pleasant gray coloring. In order that the ready tile intended, for example, for garden path has turned out esthetically attractive, in cement slurry, in addition, often add pigmental dyes.
There are such structures, unfortunately, rather expensively. Therefore for cheapening of ready tile at its production sometimes use such technology of coloring of solution:
- separate concrete mix into two half;
- add pigment to one of parts, and leave the second unpainted.
In the subsequent when filling in form at first put the painted solution and include vibrotable. After mix to be distributed on capacity surface, add unpainted mix.
At use of such technology rather inexpensive beautiful color tile with normal gray concrete "basis" turns out. Such facing looks it is not worse painted completely.
Whether it is possible to do without vibrotable?
When using such equipment the house, made by the hands tile, of course, turns out the most qualitative. Besides application of vibrotable also considerably facilitates the procedure of production of such facing However there is such equipment, of course, not in each economy.
There are vibrotables used for production of paving slabs, rather expensively. Assembly them can seem to many owners of country sites who have decided to revet the yard with paving slabs the hands the procedure excessive. In the subsequent the vibrotable in economy can not be useful.
Not to spend spare cash and time, many owners of country houses just make tile the hands without use of vibrotable. In this case such way of casting of sidewalk facing is applied:
- the form is established on normal table;
- impose the first small portion of mix in capacity;
- accurately level solution trowel;
- impose the next portion of concrete mix.
Thus fill form with solution to the brim. Further begin to condense mix, sharp frequent movements lifting edge of capacity and lowering it with not too heavy blow about table.
To condense mix in shape manually as well as when using vibrotable, it is necessary long enough. It will allow to increase durability of finished facing products considerably.
Not less than 4 min. have to leave on the procedure of consolidation of mix anyway. After solution in shape becomes liquid, it is in addition leveled the palette, deleting at the same time surplus. In two days, as well as at application of vibrotable, the stiffened tile is taken out from forms.
Final stage
After dredging of ready tile the surface of forms usually remains rather clean. However it is necessary to wash such tanks after the end of production of sidewalk facing material. And it is desirable to do it at once.
If not to clean form, the pieces of concrete which have stuck to their bottom and walls will negatively affect quality of the following party of tile. Wash the tanks intended for production of sidewalk facing, usually by either just warm water, or strong hydrochloric solution.