How Does Quikrete Work?

Quikrete is a manufacturer of bagged concrete. The concrete works just like regular concrete but comes in a variety of mixes, some with special features like fast setting or crack resistance. Whether you’re repairing damaged concrete, pouring a floor or creating a new concrete countertop, Quikrete probably has a mix that will work. Quikrete works just like standard concrete. All you have to do is add the correct amount of water and mix it. Then pour or apply it as needed based on the project your working on. Set and cure times will vary depending on the type of mix your using. Make sure not to over water the Quikrete. Too much water makes Quikrete weak and brittle.

Quikrete concrete is made from cement, sand and stone. When water is added, the cement chemically reacts to form a paste that later hardens. Other ingredients are added that change the concrete properties. This is how special mixes are created. Concrete is one of the most popular building materials all over the world because its ingredients are readily available and cheap. It’s also easy to form which makes it very versatile. And it’s extremely durable. Concrete is resistant to fire, rot, decay, temperatures, wind, water and can bear extremely heavy loads without breaking.

Fast drying Quikrete concrete can set in as little as 10 minutes, although the average is between 20 and 40 minutes. You can buy it in different sized bags ranging from 40 lbs to 80 lbs. The amount of options and the convenience of using Quikrete vs regular concrete makes it a great choice for a wide range of projects.

How To Mix Quikrete

The advantage to how Quikrete works are the bags. It’s so easy to work with and mix. Each bag comes premixed with the exact ratios you need for each ingredient. If your used to mixing your own concrete batches then you’ll really like Quikrete.

Open the bag with a knife. By hand the bags can be hard to open because they’re are multiple layers. Inside each Quikrete bag you’ll find an inner layer that helps keep the dry mix dry. Pour the mix into a mixer, wheel barrow or tray. Finally add the correct amount of water and mix it with a hoe or other hand tool. If your using a mechanical mixer then it’ll do all the work for you. When ready, pour the Quikrete right into a form or start spreading it.

Mixing the Quikrete isn’t hard. Just keep turning it over again and again with a shovel, hoe or trowel until all the dry mix is wet and all the water is gone.

When using fast setting Quikrete make sure to work fast because it starts setting up right away.

Some Quikrete types can be poured right into a hole dry. These come in handy when doing jobs like setting a fence post. Just pour the concrete into the hole dry, add water and use a shovel to mix it.

When you mix Quikrete it’s very important to get the water levels just right. This is a crucial step and shouldn’t be rushed. Too much and you’ll water down the Quikrete which makes it weak and brittle. Too little and you’ll have unmixed sections that are also weak and brittle. The consistency should be thick like paste or oatmeal but not watery. Make sure this is correct before you start working.

Mixing Quikrete With Water

When you buy Quikrete,the only ingredient not included in the bag is water.

The general rule for mixing Quikrete is one part water for every five parts dry mix. When properly mixed, Quikrete should be sticky like a paste. Still wet but not watery. Generally it will feel like wet clay or thick oatmeal. You’ll be able to mold and shape it in your hands. If the Quikrete slips through your fingers then it’s too wet.

Read the instructions on the bag carefully because different mixes may require different amounts of water.

You’ll know the Quikrete is too thick and needs more water if you see dry powder after all the water is soaked up. Add small amounts of water to the dry areas and stir.

If you’ve used too much water and it feels thin, add more Quikrete dry mix to soak up the water.

When you’ve got the right consistency it’s time to start working. Don’t rush this step. If your water levels are off you’ll end up with weak concrete.

Make sure you only use clean water to mix Quikrete. If you can drink it then it’s OK. Never use salt water and stay away from water that may contain chemicals.

Do You Have To Mix Quikrete With Water?

Yes. For the chemical reaction to occur which hardens and cures concrete, water must be added. The amount of water needed may vary based on the specific mix your using so check the instructions carefully. And follow the instructions. Too much or too little water are both bad.

In some cases a fast setting Quikrete can be poured directly into a hole without premixing. However, water still needs to be added to the dry concrete that’s in the hole. With Fast-Setting Concrete there is no premixing or tools required. Simply pour the dry mix right from the bag into the hole, then add water.

You don’t have to physically mix Fast Setting Quikrete with water prior to pouring, but water is still needed.

Can You Add Too Much Water To Quikrete?

Yes. You can definitely add too much water to Quikrete. It’s very important to use the correct amount of water any time your working with concrete. In general, each 80-pound bag of Quikrete concrete mix will require about 3 quarts of water. However this can vary based on the type of mix and bag size.

Pour approximately 2/3 of the water into the dry mix and start mixing. Then add the additional 1/3 water slowly. Stop when all the dry powder is gone. If you still see dry powder then add water very slowly until it’s all gone. The proper consistency is like thick oatmeal or wet clay. You should be able to hold wet concrete in your hand and mold it. It should be wet like a paste but not soup. If you can’t hold the concrete then you used too much water.

You can use too much water with Fast Setting Quikrete that doesn’t require premixing too. Fast Setting Quikrete can be poured into a hole dry without premixing. Water is then added to the hole. If you add too much water the top layer of concrete will become weak and brittle. It will easily crack under pressure.

How does Quikrete work? The cement chemically reacts with water to set and cure over time. The result of too much water being added to Quikrete is weaker concrete that’s brittle and prone to cracking because there’s too much water for the cement which waters it down and weakens the bond. This can spell disaster if your project is structural and requires strong concrete.

What Are Quikrete Coating Mixes

Quikrete brand makes more than just bagged concrete. Coating mixes are used on top of other materials to coat and protect them. Adding a coating or a sealer over finished concrete can help protect it from water damage, stains and other damage.

Always apply a coating layer to fully cured concrete.

Here are the Quikrete coating substances:

Epoxy Garage Floor Coating: Used primarily for coating garage floors. Also good for other interior concrete surfaces like a basement floor.
Epoxy Multi-Surface Coating: Used to strengthen and seal interior concrete floors. Also good for outdoor surfaces like walkways and patios.
Premium Clear Epoxy Coating: Designed for interior surfaces but also performs well in a garage or basement.
Epoxy Industrial Floor Coating: A heavy-duty product designed for surfaces like garage floors that see heavy traffic and harsh conditions. Great for commercial floors such as in a store.
Anti-Skid Textured Coating: Great for stairs and pool decks. It’s designed to protect against skid marks in high traffic area

If your doing a home improvement project that involves concrete or a sealer than there’s a good chance Quikrete has a product that can help.

Is Quikrete As Strong As Regular Concrete?

Yes, Quikrete concrete is just as strong as regular concrete. Concrete gets its strength from a chemical reaction that occurs over time during curing. After it’s had time to cure, which usually take 28 days to complete. Quikrete can reach strengths of up to 5000 psi.

Concrete is made from cement, stone and sand. The chemical reaction occurs when water is mixed with the cement. Sand and stone are what gives concrete it’s strength. Without it, the chemical reaction and curing would still occur but the cement would be weak and brittle. Cement alone has nowhere near the strength of concrete.

How Quickly Does Quikrete Work?

Quikrete concrete typically sets up in around 20 to 40 minutes. However this is set time and not cure time. It still takes additional time for the concrete to fully cure and strengthen. But this is very fast and a big advantage when compared to regular concrete because you can quickly move a project along. Under normal conditions, you can apply heavy weight to a set fence post in just 4 hours.

Keep in mind site conditions effect set and cure times. Especially humidity levels and temperature.

How To Use Quikrete In A Bucket

Mixing Quikrete in a 5 gallon bucket is just like mixing it in a tray or wheel barrow. The only difference is that the batch will be smaller.

Pour some dry mix into the bucket. I like to use smaller bags for this because it makes measuring the water level easier. I recommend mixing 20 lbs at a time. That’s have a 40lb bag, 1/3 a 60lbor 1/4 an 80lb.

To mix 20 lbs of Quikrete requires about 1/3 a quart of water.

Pour the water in as you mix with a trowel or paddle mixer. The concrete will mix just like thinset or cement.

Summary: How Does Quikrete Work?

How does Quikrete work? Quikrete is a manufacturer of bagged concrete. The concrete works just like regular concrete but comes in a variety of mixes, some with special features like fast setting or crack resistance. Whether you’re repairing damaged concrete, pouring a floor or creating a new concrete countertop, Quikrete probably has a mix that will work. Quikrete works just like standard concrete. All you have to do is add the correct amount of water and mix it. Then pour or apply it as needed based on the project your working on. Set and cure times will vary depending on the type of mix your using. Make sure not to over water the Quikrete. Too much water makes Quikrete weak and brittle.

If you have any questions or comments about how Quikrete works Email any time.