Hello!
I have a small concreting job I would like to tackle myself if possible. I'm looking for a concrete pre mix product that is ready to go without mixing water. Does a product at Bunnings like this exist? Any advice would be appreciated 🙂
Hello @Heidi1
I've been contemplating on what product you can use that will occupy this damaged space that does not require you to mix mortar. I was thinking silicone would not work as it will not anchor itself to the dusty surface properly. Perhaps multipurpose filler, but it would not be strong enough if stepped on. I also thought about builder's bog, but it is designed more for wood than stone.
In order to get a strong fill and patch, the only product that comes to mind is the Dingo 10kg Mortar Mix. I understand you are not keen to mix the mortar, but this would be the ideal product to use for long term repair. You can mix it to the consistency of toothpaste which will make it easy for you to mould and level.
Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @AlanM52 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
Thanks for your reply @EricL
I'm not sure I can lift a 10kg bag of mortar mix. Would there be anything smaller available?
Good Evening @Heidi1
I am also thinking of a mortar style repair. Mostly to give support to the slate tiles. I have a crack/gap like yours and have not fixed it as yet. Its been like it for a decade but has slowly grown a little larger in width as wear (its covered in a carpet mat) filters through the covering to the edge of the tiles. Any "fill" product I dont think would support the slate near as well as mortar.
I just went looking at "mortar" and saw this Dunlop 5kg Ardit Rapidset Repair Mortar its much more expensive then the mortar @EricL suggests. But its mixed already.... Im scrunching my face in trying to ballance out convience and waste lol I would probarlly give the bag of mortar mix a go, you can test out a batch and still hardly touch the bag 🙂 I also think it would look more natural if you get to play with it first and see how it dries.
Dave
Thanks @Dave-1
I also have a loose slate tile I need to reattach. Will the Dunlop 5kg Mortar act like a glue to refix the tile onto the concrete base?
Just saw your question about smaller sizes of bags.
I couldnt find anything smaller. However I do know that Bunnings often sell damaged bags for less then full bags. I have seen 2/3rd bags of Mortar waiting to be snapped up. Still thats about 2 large bags of potatoes in weight. Id be tempted to get some plastic buckets with lids and halve it when you get it to your car. Yeah I have run into weights of items and how to get them home 🙂 I either think of leavers, trolleys and sliding it down ramps. Or breaking it down into smaller quantities.
My Local Bunnings also allows drive in to the area where timber /concrete/morta is kept. Almost to teh point where you can load (or get a Bunnings staff member to give you a hand) a bag into your car. You then park in an aisle, go to the trade desk and pay (I usually take a pic of the product plus a pic of the price code) and then drive out and show the receipt on the way through.
Evening @Heidi1
If there is enough space for a resonable amount of mortar under the slate to fit it should fix it without any problems. If there is limited space then one of the silicones that @EricL mentioned first would be good to secure it and then mortar around it.
If you can post a photo of the hole and then also of the piece of slate sitting in the hole you want to fix it would make it easier on what product to suggest.
I'll get a photo then @Dave-1 .
Also, what consistency do I mix the Dunlop 5kg Repair Mortar too? I think it comes as a powder and I mix it with water....
There is the Dingo Fast Set Mortar - 3kg which is the smallest batch of mortar that you can get. However, because it is a fast set mortar, it will be necessary for you to be aware that the mortar needs to be put in place as quickly as possible. If not levelled quickly it will start to set in around 15 minutes.
Do I just use a trowel to put in place @EricL ?
If you have a trowel in your possession that would be the tool to use for this project.
Hi @Heidi1,
The effort as you will see (for your job) to mix mortar is about the same as doing the pastry thing in the kitchen or even general house cleaning.
You may be more concerned about the weight of the bag so let's run through this overview with a focus to minimize handling:
Find a strong carry bag and a pull-tie rubbish bag.
At Bunnings put the Dingo bag into pull-tie and then into carry bag.
If needed as for assistance to check-out and/or get it to your car.
For small jobs (like yours) I use a kitty litter tray for mix-up.
If needed first get that and also a pointing trowel.
Back home leave everything in the car until ready to do the job.
When prepping for mix up in the kitty litter tray simply spread open the zip-tie bag and when finished pull hard on the ties, tightly twist and seal with whatever (cable tie/tape/string) to keep moisture out of the Dingo bag and store in a protected dry place.
I spent some time composing all that because I am keen to encourage the DIY thing.
Looking at that photo it's likely you will be doing the same thing again.
Come back if you need more assistance...
Cheers
Morning @Heidi1
If you dont have a trowel, id be tempted to use a large paint scraper as a substitute.
Just an update. I used the Dingo fast set mortar today to do the patch jobs around my slate tiles. It was fairly easy to mix to the right consistency and apply. I used a pointed trowel along with a paint scraper. Just some advice, having been drying for the last couple of hours, I can stick my thumb nail into the mortar and it pulls away. Is this because it still needs time to cure or have I done something wrong? The areas where I patched feels sandy….I applied before the 15 minute setting time too.
Thank you very much for the update. I propose giving it some extra time to cure before testing the surface again. If you are still going to patch other sections, please make sure that the surface is very clean and free of sand and debris. I suggest using a scrub brush to remove any loose particles that may have settled into the damaged section. Patching the surface without cleaning the surface can cause the patch to anchor poorly and fail.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Thanks @EricL . I'm happy to say the mortar has set hard. Very happy with the result! It blends in nicely…
Thank you very much for the update, it's good to hear that the mortar cured properly.
