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When you’re pouring cement, you can do it the hard way or the easy way. Which are you into? That’s what we thought. Using a cement mixer is the easiest way to eliminate a lot of unnecessary grind from your work. Even if the job in front of you is relatively small—a patio, a walkway—a mixer will save you a lot of time and frustration. Of course, what good is a tool if you don’t know how to use it? Well, that’s why we’re here. A quick rundown of using a cement mixer will have you ready for the job.
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The Basics
For starters, how about a no-brainer: Use your mixer on firm, level ground. You can imagine the headache you’d have on your hands if your mixer happened to tip while you were preparing a batch. So, with your mixer on firm, flat ground, you add your concrete mix and water to the drum. Adhere to the precise requirements of the mix you’re using. If you add too much water, the concrete won’t be strong enough.
A note of caution: You should always wear a respirator when working with cement. It’s especially critical when you’re mixing dried cement, as the dust can contain crystalline silica, which can lead to silicosis. With your drum filled with concrete mix and water, turn it on and let it do its thing. You’ll know you’re ready to go when your concrete has the viscosity of thick oatmeal. At that point, you can dump your batch into a wheelbarrow and get to work.
Maintenance
It’s critical that you keep your mixer clean. The dust that can bother your lungs is also bad for the machine. Dried cement isn’t good for operations, either. It’s critical that you keep your engine clean. Be careful to clean away dust and cement from the engine and exterior of your machine. You also have to clean the drum after each use. Scrape out as much concrete as you can, and then add water and gravel to the drum. Spin it for several minutes, dump the contents, and then power wash to remove all lingering cement. If you aren’t vigilant about keeping the machine clean, you’re asking for it. Cleaning concrete before it hardens isn’t especially difficult. When it hardens, though, you’ll have to break out your chisel.
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Having the proper cement tools is half the battle, and a cement mixer is among the most critical. A mixer is a huge boon to any cement job, but it’s of utmost importance that you put in a little extra to work to keep it maintained and cleaned. If you do, you’ll have an easier path each and every time.
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If you have questions about cement mixers or anything you need for your cement job, we’re here for you! Reach out to us at 1-800-709-0002.