What can I do with hard bags of concrete?

Use small pieces of hardened concrete in place of pea gravel or crushed rocks for paving and pathway projects around the landscape. A layer of 4 to 6 inches of aggregate is usually used under patios and driveways to improve drainage in the soil.

What to do with concrete that has hardened in the bag?

Backfill, backfill, backfill

Use your hammer to smash your hardened concrete bags until they're in pieces. Depending on your project, you might be happy with large chunks of concrete, or you may need a finer fill. Keep crushing until you've achieved the consistency you're after.

Can you use cement that has hardened in the bag?

Can I still use my cement if some has gone hard or there are lumps in the bag? No, we would not recommend that any cement containing lumps is used. Lumpy cement will not create a homogeneous mix. There is also a good chance it may not gain as much strength as you would expect.

Can hardened cement be reversed?

When the cement combines with water, the setting and hardening action results. This hardening can not be reversed. It is an irreversible process.

How can I reuse old concrete?

Old concrete can be recycled and turn into aggregates after it has been crushed and processed. Concrete pavements can be broken in place and used as a base course for an asphalt pavement through a process called rubblization. Recycled concrete can be used as a bed foundation in which to lay underground utilities.

How To: Loosen and use hardened bags of cement

How do you use expired cement?

Unless it's only hard on top but inner parts are still in its powder form then all you have to do is to chisel the hard part and extract the powder or crush the hard cement with the help of hammer. So if you make it again in cement powder and the cement is not so old then you can use in construction work.

How do you liquify concrete?

Pour five parts fresh water into an all-plastic 5-gallon bucket. Carefully add one part acid-based masonry- or concrete-cleaning solution. Refer to the label on the container to determine the amount of solution per part. Always add acid to water; never add water to acid, which can create an explosive reaction.

Does vinegar dissolve concrete?

One isn't going to hurt you but eating the bag overtime can impact the eater's weight. Etching – Vinegar's ability to dissolve CaCO3 will dull your marble, travertine, concrete and terrazzo surfaces. It may “clean” the surface but it is also dissolving pits into the finish and effectively dulling it.

What liquid dissolves concrete?

Phosphoric acid and trisodium phosphate are the main compounds used to dissolve concrete leftover from masonry work.

Can solidified cement be reused?

We may recycle concrete to use the aggregate content but the problem is the hardened cement matrix which cannot be recycled. Once hydrated, cement can not be re-used to achieve the properties of the original material, because the hydrating power is almost used up.

Can old cement be used?

We strongly recommend that you do not use any cement that has exceeded its use by date. The use by date on cement is related to health and safety regulations about 'chromium VI' which can cause allergic dermatitis.

Can you use bag concrete for driveway?

Fortunately, whether you plan to make a patio slab or a driveway, working in small areas divided by concrete forms and using bagged concrete mix can make the job easier for a DIYer.

How long is bagged concrete good for?

It's estimated that bagged concrete loses 20% of its strength after 3 months and up to 40% after a year. That makes it way too weak for most applications. For home DIY projects, this may be less important. Properly stored bags can be used for much longer depending on the project.

How long will an opened bag of cement last?

Two weeks after the date on the bag, after that it can be used in screed or concrete but not render or brickwork unless you are adding lime as well, then it can go to four weeks. Once it`s gone past six weeks its only really good for fence posts and that`s if it`s been stored very very well.

Can you store cement bags outside?

Refrain from storing it in damp, moist environments. Instead, store them in a dry, enclosed area which is protected from rain. Stacking cement bags should be covered with tarpaulin or waterproof sheets. Do not store them on concrete or wooden floors.

What does baking soda do to concrete?

If you don't have cat litter, baking soda will also help to absorb the extra moisture. Once the liquid has been soaked up, and the litter or baking soda has been swept up and disposed of, then your concrete is ready to be cleaned. All of the methods below will require a scrub brush to remove a stain.

How do you weaken concrete?

Spray the concrete with highly pressurized cold water. The cold water helps to clean any dirt or other debris from the concrete as well as to remove any lingering bits of hardened, loose concrete. Allow the area to completely dry. Spray with softening agent.

Does sugar soften concrete?

“Sugar affects both fresh and hardened concrete. Dry sugar has no effect on hardened concrete, but sugar solutions can be very corrosive.” This vulnerability has been turned into an opportunity to safely remove hardened concrete from a variety of surfaces that are otherwise difficult to clean.

How do you chemically destroy concrete?

Use de-icers containing fertilizer ingredients such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. These chemicals WILL ATTACK AND DESTROY CONCRETE BY CHEMICAL REACTION. Working with concrete can be a messy business.

What does phosphoric acid do to concrete?

Phosphoric Acid Cleaner is a fast act- ing, easy to use acid-base cleaner for pre-cast concrete, concrete, masonry, grout, tile and natural stone surfaces. Phosphoric Acid Cleaner will remove cement grout haze and mortar residue, joint cement, lime & hard water deposits, efflorescence, rust and other dirt and grime.

Does muriatic acid eat concrete?

While it corrodes almost anything it touches, this is not true of concrete. The acid works well on concrete and on many masonry projects because it neutralizes alkalinity. The surface becomes “etched” and clean, which allows for the proper adhesion of a new coating.

Does cement go off if kept dry?

A. If kept dry, portland cement will retain its quality indefinitely. However, bagged cement that's stored for long periods in a dry atmosphere can develop what's called warehouse pack, a mechanical compaction that makes the cement lumpy.

How do you know if cement is expired?

By observing the calendar (internet ), the 48th week is from Nov 25th to Dec1st of the year 2013. We should add 3 months ( 90 days ) to the manufactured date, to get the expiry date of cement. 1st Dec 2013 + 90 days. = 28th February 2014 will be the expiry date of cement.

Does cement deteriorate?

But material limitations, design and construction practices, and severe exposure conditions can cause concrete to deteriorate, which may result in aesthetic, functional, or structural problems. Concrete can deteriorate for a variety of reasons, and concrete damage is often the result of a combination of factors.