I am pouring footings for my deck using 12" concrete tubes. Can I just throw the dry mix in and add some wate

Question

I am pouring footings for my deck using 12" concrete tubes. Can I add the dry mix and just add water? HELP!!!!
I have bought a deck kit from Menards. This kit included 9 - 12" concrete tubes and 45 bags of 60lb concrete mix. The tubes take 5 bags a piece to fill to the 48" height. I also need to install a concrete anchor at the top of each tube so I can install the 4" x 4" post anchor. I know I do not need footings that deep (48") but I want to use up all the concrete mix so I dont have to return it. Its only $3.00 a bag. More work to return it. My question is - can I pour a bag of dry mix in and just add some water and continue on until all 5 bags are added to the one tube? I most certainly do not want to mix 45 bags by hand.
ill it still except the concrete anchor if I do it that way? Will It also set up so I can attach the post anchor to it? I will leave the tubes in? Please help. I need to get this Deck moving.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

NOT a good idea to try mixing the concrete in the forms - as pointed out, rent a mixer so that you are sure of getting a uniform, strong concrete for your footings. You can, however, leave the cardboard forms in place if you want to, just remove the part above ground. Be sure to let the concrete cure for at least 48 hours or better yet, 72 hours before putting any load on it. Keep the top surface wet after the initial water disappears. This will make the top of the footing strong so it won't flake later.

Source(s):

Part-time handyman, experience with concrete.

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good answer

Answer 2

go rent a mixer. you can't just throw in the cement then add water. you are going to have to do some work here but it will be well worth it to do it right the first time. redoing it will be a bit--.

Answer 3

NO!! Do not do it that way, it will not get a proper mix and will be unstable.. You will have many dry spots that don't get the proper water and or wet spots. Either extreme weakens the concrete matrix that hold it together ( or no water yield no matrix)
I hate to tell you but you are going to have to make a couple day project out of it and mix them outside of the tube..
However, with that many bags I recommend finding a tool rental business that will rent you a portable cement mixer for the day and knock it out. Look in your telephone book under "rentals, equipment" in the USA there is a chain called SUN rent-alls.

Answer 4

mixing by hand isn't bad .. there are attachments that you can get that look like a potato masher.. that hook on the end of an electric drill.. makes things much easier and quicker...but i wouldn't just pour it in and go on i would mix it first man....

Answer 5

No. You will have to mix the concrete properly. All the concrete should be evenly wet in order for it to set at full strength.

Answer 6

45 bags? That is a lot of work, even with a mixer. I would really think about calling a ready mix plant to see what their minimum order is. Even if you have to take 2 yards, that is about $200. Much cheaper than replacing your back, and you will be guaranteed a proper mix.

Absolutely do not try to mix in the tube. You will be wasting your time and concrete ($$$). Renting a mixer would be OK, but it is still a fair amount of work. You will have to load the bags into it, then transfer the concrete to a bucket, lift to the top of the tube and pour in. Ready mix truck starts to look real nice.

The tubes can stay or they can go after a couple of days. I would peel them off if they will be visible, as they weather they will start to look nasty. If you can't see them, I would not go to the trouble. I'm kinda lazy.