Dry Pour Concrete Process

Did you know that you can pour concrete without mixing it with water first?! I thought this was much easier than traditional mixing. I am using this pad for pool equipment so it is a non structural pad. I thought this was the best way to test out this method.
I started with a form and then I added some crushed rock for drainage. After that I took the dry concrete mix from the bag and poured it right on top. I grabbed an extra 2 by 4 and used it as a screeder to smooth and flatten the surface.

Note: I did slope my form so that water would run off of the pad away from my house.

Now here is the trick, you don't just dump water on top you mist it every half hour for the first few hours and then you change your hose setting to shower and soak it. As the amount of water increases the concrete is super porous and pulls the water down into it and cures the whole thing.

I definitely learned some things and would do a few things differently next time, but I loved this process. It was a lot easier to tackle solo. Keep in mind mixed concrete will be stronger but this method is great for what i need it for.

Check out @CajunCountryLivin to see them use the dry pour concrete method as well.

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[downunderfulla]

For a first timer you did pretty well🍺🍺

[ErwinConsulting]

If you mix it by hand it's like mixing Tamale Masa except on a larger scale with a shovel instead of by hand. You can also rent a mixer to help mix it for you and spray it down when done. My cousins who are girls would do this with my uncle who was a long time GC. Just wanted to share

[RealityTrailers]

I operate a mobile ready mixer truck which mixes and pours 10 yards of wet concrete at job sites for professional concrete finishers and though I've seen or heard of her method before I do know that there are probably reason(s) why we don't pour slabs that way. But to each their own and maybe it's okay to do smaller slabs like that.

[jasonhill]

So if you have to wet it a bunch of times, why don't you wet it once mix it and pour it??

[anamericandream]

Great method i prefer mixing it but everyone has there own taste it is very easy i usually do it for little projects at my ranch but i tend to mix when its a big project or something i know is gonna be used alot

[frontxxrunner]

Very interesting, but it actually seems like more work in the end just to have a weaker concrete. Thanks for sharing, though.

[calideb]

Please share what you would do differently. Would look for that video for certain. Do you think this technique would work well for stepping stones? Thought I'd make a couple of forms & have a total of 5 stepping stones when done. Great idea!

[lachlanitis]

Good work lass. Now as you stated this was on a non structural pad. Concreter of 20 years here. I have no qualms people doing their own work, just bear this in mind.
Dry pour is not as strong as wet pour.
Dry pour is not to be used for anything structual otherwise you're likely to have troubles down the track.

[ninasutton]

Good job! 👍 There is more than one way to do things.

[torreyyoung]

Next time just tap the sides with a hammer. If you do, the sides will look much cleaner. There’s a product called jetset that you can fill the spots that don’t look too nice. Nice job

[samn]

Can you confirm that the dry pour was touching up again the foundation? I know stupid question

[AllaroundNbackagain]

Problem is though most of the cement is on top and most of the aggregate is on the bottom

[sarpal]

Do we need rebars or mesh wire for sidewalk?

[gabrielmendez]

Looks really good. I'm going to try this out.

[jasonchao]

If you mix it well the inconsistent is high and it will crack

[bankwhat]

Clearly youve never hand mixed concrete if you think hand mixing a whole slab is easier than using a water hose a few times every 30mins. If you are solo and doing by hand you cant even mix enough for the whole slab in one go anyway so your talkin about tons of trips and tons of mixing

[netosguzman]

Wow first time see some one make something whit the material I produced on my job 😂

[sholle]

Typical rip off contractor would have charged u 5k for that

[rickylopez]

Did it work how long is been since u done it. Is it still good I wana try it

[ef]

Sounds amazing maybe the smartest idea ever😂