Paving slabs - home-made technology, from mortar to estimate. Concrete slabs, paving slabs Concrete mix composition

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Consider the basic questions that you need to know the answer to before buying paving slabs:

1. Which is better: vibratory casting or vibropress?
   There are those who confidently declare that this or that type of paving slabs is better. This is fundamentally wrong. Each type has its own pros and cons. We manufacture both types of paving slabs. We have carried out comprehensive tests of our tiles and competitors' samples for compliance with GOST. According to the main parameters, such as compressive strength, fracture strength, abrasion, frost resistance and light resistance (i.e., the ability to retain bright colors), the advantages of vibrocasting or vibropress were not revealed. Another thing is that the tiles different manufacturers showed a very large spread in all indicators. Vibro-pressed paving slabs are made automatically and are much less demanding on the quality of components. Due to this, it is slightly cheaper than vibrated paving slabs. The disadvantages include a small number of shapes and colors. High-quality vibrated paving slabs require the use of only expensive components, such as washed fractionated sand, crushed stone of fraction 5-20, no less than 500 grade Portland cement and high-quality additives. This makes it more expensive to manufacture, but appearance and the surface quality compares favorably with the vibropress. BUT, ignorance of technology and saving on raw materials will inevitably lead to its rapid destruction.
   Buying tiles from us, regardless of the type of production, you can be sure that it complies with GOST in all respects and will serve you for a long time.
2. Why is there such a range of prices on the market and why shouldn't we chase after cheapness?
   The price of paving slabs is made up of the main components: the cost of raw materials, the salary of workers and the manufacturer's profit.
   The manufacturer's profit in this segment is low and amounts to 10-15%, regardless of other parameters.
   The salary of employees depends on their qualifications and the level of production automation. Many firms make their paving slabs cheaper by optimizing the workflow and using professional equipment. Others go through the use of low-skilled labor. There is no need to explain which option is preferable.
   The cost of raw materials directly depends on its quality. Unfortunately, unscrupulous manufacturers often save on raw materials. From experience I will say that the savings can reach 3000-3500 thousand rubles per cubic meter of concrete, and this is 200 rubles / sq.m of production. And the buyer finds out about it only after winter, looking with horror at their "beautiful paths". So try to demand, in addition to product documents, certificates for raw materials. The cement from the nearest store and the sand from the "familiar dump truck", unfortunately, have a very sad effect on the quality of the products.
   Here, like nowhere else, the saying "a miser pays twice" is true.
3. What thickness of paving slabs is needed?
   Construction GOSTs also regulate this issue. When laying on a sand and gravel bed (the most optimal and common type of laying), it is enough
   - for footpaths 30-60mm
   - for car parking 60mm
   - for places with constant passage of freight transport (gas station, motor depot, etc.) 80mm
   High-quality paving slabs have a compressive strength of 400 kg / sq. Cm with a thickness of 60 mm, which is a load of 80-200 tons per tile. In the entire history of our work, there has not been a single case when a 60mm thick tile broke, for example, when hit by a car (even a truck).
   There is no point in overpaying by buying tiles 80mm thick for a suburban area. But you shouldn't put 30mm tiles under the car either.
4. What is the total cost of sidewalk coverage?
   The tile itself - for 2012 it is 450-700 r / m 2
   Delivery - individually, somewhere around 100-150 r / m 2 (when delivered by a manipulator)
   Laying - 600-800 r / m 2
   Curbs - individually, let another 100 rub / m2
   Materials for laying (crushed stone, sand, geotextile) - 200-350 r / m 2
   Total at average prices 1825 r / m 2
   An expensive pleasure. Now think again: Do you still want to save 100 rubles on paving slabs and 100 rubles on laying with the prospect of re-laying in a year?
5. Which color should you choose?
   Subject to the use of high-quality dyes (pigments) for concrete and full-volume painting, you can choose any color. The only exception is green and blue color... Their lightfastness is lower. We offer you the color of tiles in red, black, brown (several tones), beige. Customers also like stone-like coloring when incomplete mixing of concrete is used 2 different colors... This does not affect the quality of paving slabs. The question often arises, why are the colors dim? For getting bright color either white cement or high pigment content (more than 5%) must be used. White cement produces efflorescence and reduces frost resistance (the main parameter in our strip). An increase in the amount of pigment has an extremely negative effect on durability and greatly increases the cost. Brighter, more saturated colors can be easily obtained by coating tiles with concrete impregnation.
6. What is the service life of paving slabs?
   Service life directly depends on 2 indicators - compressive strength and frost resistance. For our strip, with a compressive strength of 300 kg / sq. Cm and a frost resistance of 150 cycles, the service life of paving slabs is from 10 years (regardless of the type of production). Our tile has the following parameters
   Vibrating press strength - 350kg / sq.cm, frost resistance 180 cycles
   Vibration casting strength - 400 kg / sq. Cm, frost resistance 220 cycles
   According to construction calculations, the service life of our tiles is 20-25 years.
   Do not believe when you are promised a strength of 600 kg / sq. Cm and a frost resistance of 300 cycles. It is impossible to achieve such parameters in production conditions with adequate financial costs. Request test reports from accredited construction laboratories!
7. Can I install paving slabs myself?
   Can. Moreover, there are no special secrets here. The installation process is described in detail on our website in the installation section and on other construction resources. The only thing you need is a vibratory plate. It will be difficult to properly seal the pillow without it.

If after reading this article you still have questions, we will be happy to answer them by phone

The quality of the paving slabs produced depends on the composition of the concrete and the production technology. There are several types of concrete mixes that are used for the production of paving slabs. It is necessary to highlight the scale of production and the place of its application. They can be industrial, or they can be small, that is, for the production of tiles at home.

Technological scheme for the production of paving slabs.

The essence of the production is as follows. A concrete mixture is poured into special forms, which can have different configurations, it is rammed, held for a certain time, after which the hardened concrete is removed from the forms. After curing for 2 weeks, the manufacturing process is considered complete. In reality, there are some subtleties and dependencies in the production of paving slabs.

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Concrete composition and properties

To obtain paving slabs with good strength characteristics, concrete is used, which contains the following proportions of components:

1. 1st option. In this case, Portland cement grade 500 and sand with a low clay content are used to obtain concrete. The proportion of cement and sand 1: 3 ;!
2. 2nd option. For the preparation of concrete, Portland cement, grade 500, sand and crushed granite screenings are used. The dropout fraction is taken from 5-10 mm. The proportion of cement, sand and screening is 1: 2: 2 or 1: 3: 1.

In the first and second cooking options concrete mix it is recommended to use a plasticizer and a waterproofing additive. Also, the tile solution is often reinforced with polypropylene fibers to improve the strength characteristics. It is advisable to use fibers as a reinforcing material in concrete, which consists only of cement and sand. The concrete obtained with the use of granite screening is strong enough, and its reinforcement with organic fibers can be omitted.

When receiving concrete in the form of ordinary cement mortar from sand and cement, it is important to observe the ratio of sand to cement. Quite often, the content of sand in the solution is reduced to 2 parts, which ultimately leads to cracking of the paving slabs. This is due to the fact that as a result of the crystallization of the concrete mixture, strong stress states arise in the structure of pure cement in the solution, and since the sand part is insufficient, these stresses are not compensated by sand particles, which leads to the formation of bond breaks, that is, cracks. On the contrary, an increase in the amount of sand (more than 3 parts) can lead to a decrease in the hardness of the finished tile and its gradual destruction.

Adding granite screenings to concrete significantly reduces the likelihood of cracking and increases the strength of the product.

In small-piece production of tiles at home, in some cases, reinforcement is carried out. For this, a wire with a diameter of 1-3 mm is cut into pieces and placed in the middle of the mold to be poured. First, half of the mold is filled with concrete, then the wire is laid and the rest of the mold is filled with concrete. The length of the pieces of wire is usually taken slightly less than the length of the diagonal of the product. Reinforcing the tiles in this way is important if its surface will experience great pressure in the future, for example, a heavy car will drive into the courtyard of the house, etc.

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The process of receiving finished products

It is best to mix the concrete solution in a concrete mixer: this speeds up the mixing process and improves its quality. The order of mixing: sand, screening, cement, water. Stir the plasticizer and waterproofing agent in water beforehand. Pigment is added to add color to the product. It is important to obtain the required consistency of the concrete mix. The solution must be plastic, but at the same time, its spreading is not allowed.

Scheme for determining the mobility of concrete.

One of the important stages in the production of tiles is laying the mixture into molds. Before filling the form with a solution, slightly lubricate it with a special emulsion or ordinary vegetable oil... Further, vibrating tables are used to properly tamp the mortar in the mold. These devices, due to the resulting vibration, allow the concrete to be compacted in the mold, as well as to get rid of air bubbles in it. At home, the use of a vibrating table is not always possible, therefore, the method of manual ramming is used. While filling the mold with concrete, the contents are compacted with a wooden mallet. After completion, the surface is smoothed. As a rule, when laying the mixture in a mold, it is advisable to slightly shake the latter, this will contribute to a denser shrinkage of the solution.

The concrete is left in the molds for two days. Then the finished tile is removed. If the surface of the mold has been previously oiled with emulsion or oil, then the tiles can be easily removed. Sometimes this process can be somewhat simplified by placing the form under hot water... The water temperature should not exceed 60 ° C. The process of complete drying and hardening of concrete in the finished tile takes about 2 weeks. In this case, the products should be placed in a shaded place, avoiding a temperature drop below 0 ° C or excessive overheating of the room. In hot weather, it is advisable to moisten the tiles with a little water.

In the production of paving slabs, the quality of the cement and its proportions in the ready-made mortar are of key importance. During operation, figured paving elements can be subject to significant loads, therefore, the grade of cement used should not be less than 500. Cement must be used within its shelf life. It is highly not recommended to deviate from the proposed ones. For mixing, it is preferable to use a concrete mixer or do cement mix with a drill and a mixer nozzle, as mixing by hand in a trough may not satisfy the results of obtaining a homogeneous concrete mass.

Sample list necessary tools for the manufacture of paving slabs at home:

• buckets of known capacity;
• Master OK;
• level (to check the plane for the installation of forms);
• concrete mixer or drill with mixer attachment;
• molds for filling the required configuration;
• mallet or rubber mallet.

Observing the technology for the production of sidewalk paving elements, you can get at home quality product, the cost of which will be significantly lower than that of finished products.

Paving slabs today are a very popular way of paving surfaces for a wide variety of purposes. It is laid everywhere - when arranging stops and metro areas, entrances in front of offices and shops, areas where people move in sports facilities and in business centers, paths on garden plots and sidewalks. Examples of paving with paving slabs are simply inexhaustible.

How to determine the quality of paving slabs

Without special equipment it is quite difficult to determine the degree of quality of paving slabs. But nevertheless, experts give several recommendations to minimize the risk of buying substandard products:

1. A glossy, mirror-like surface of a tile is not necessarily a sign of its high quality. To achieve such a result, manufacturers can go in two ways: either add special additives to the concrete mixture, or an excessive amount of water. The latter has a very negative effect on the quality of the tiles, making the product very fragile. It is quite simple to check compliance with the production technology - you need to lightly knock the tiles against each other. A voiced sound indicates the quality of the product, a dull sound indicates a violation of the technology of its manufacture.
2. The bright, saturated color of the material is also achieved in different ways - either through the use of expensive pigments, or an overdose of dye, resulting in a decrease in the strength index of the tile.
3. On the fractures of the tile, you can check the homogeneity of its structure - there should not be any cracks, pores or voids inside.
4. The technology for the production of high-quality paving slabs involves the use of sand without clay inclusions. Lack of adherence to this rule leads to a decrease in the quality and durability of products. The presence of clay in the composition of the tile can be signaled by yellow spots or streaks on the back of the product.
5. Don't forget about product certification. Any paving slabs must be produced in accordance with the standards of GOST 17608-91, production of material according to technical specifications does not guarantee its quality and durability.
6. Well, about the price. The price of paving slabs from a manufacturing company cannot be lower than the investment costs for the purchase of high-quality components for its manufacture. Therefore, the low cost of the product should, at a minimum, alert the prudent consumer.

As you can see, everything is not so difficult, the quality of your coating depends only on your care and adherence to the technique of laying paving slabs. But more on that another time.

Why is this coating so popular?

Advantages of paving slabs

It has a large number of indisputable advantages over other decorative coatings:

• the variety of types, shapes and colors of paving slabs is very large, and this makes it possible to give any piece of land its own, unique look and fit it into any designer interior and landscape;
• high-quality tiles are characterized by high strength, wear and frost resistance, which has the most positive effect on the durability of the coating;
• the territory paved with tiles is very easy to repair - the rejected element can be replaced at any time with a high-quality one without any efforts and violations of the quality of the coating;
• if it is necessary to lay communications on a given plot of land, the paving slabs are easily dismantled and, at the end of the work, are laid again;
• paving slabs do not promote moisture stagnation and ensure the complete absence of puddles after rain;
• the covering can be completed with additional decorative elements, allowing to give a special completeness to the area being developed. These elements include curb stones and gutters;
• does not require special knowledge or skills in construction skills - a beginner can cope with this.

As for the shortcomings of paving slabs, no serious shortcomings have been identified in it. Another issue is when the tiles were laid illiterately, in violation of the paving technology, - in this case, the coating becomes unsafe, you can stumble over the protruding edges of the tiles, and slip on loose elements.

Technologies for the production of paving slabs and their features

Most consumers are wondering what technology - vibrocasting or vibrocompression - is used to produce higher quality paving slabs. In fact, these two technologies cannot compete with each other, since each of them is designed for different places of operation.

So, to cover areas of large volumes, as well as in places where heavy Vehicle Vibro-pressed paving slabs are more suitable. Products made using vibrocompression technology have higher strength characteristics, and the automation of the entire manufacturing process allows the production of tiles on a huge scale.

Those who want to stand out from the monotony of the city equip their territory with paving slabs made using vibrocasting technology. Cast tiles have an exclusive appearance, rich colors and original texture, and are produced in limited quantities. Due to the fact that the vibration casting technology is less automated, this affects not only the volume of products, but also its geometry and, of course, the price. Cast tiles are mainly used for laying out pedestrian areas or places for people to rest.

Paving slabs - simple and reliable way arrange a garden path, path, driveway in the country or lay out a site in the courtyard of a private house. Depending on the place of application, different requirements are imposed on the tiled surface of the tracks, regarding the strength and the method of laying.

One of the factors that determines the durability of the tile walkway is the laying mortar. At the same time, many people prefer to make paving slabs with their own hands.

Vibro-pressed or vibrocast tiles

In terms of technology industrial production, tiles can be made in two ways:

Vibrated paving slabs(cheaper, used in private construction).

Manufacturing technology: concrete solution is poured into molds, which are installed on a vibrating surface. In the process of vibration, the solution evenly fills the mold and air bubbles come out of it. After that, the forms are placed on the drying racks. After 2-3 days, the tiles are removed and dried.

Vibro-pressed paving slabs(more durable, intended for use in places with intense traffic).

The production technology is similar, but the solution is additionally pressed down with a press (vibropress). The result is a more compacted mixture and, accordingly, a more durable material structure. The tiles are dried in special chambers.

You can only make vibrocast tiles for paths, paths on your own. Immediately we focus attention - homemade paving slabs are not intended for laying in places of heavy traffic, but will become indispensable for the formation of garden paths in the country.

Which paving slabs are better - vibrocast or vibropressed?

According to reviews on the forums, 80% of users agree that the best paving slabs are those that are manufactured at the factory by vibrocompression. It is more expensive (~ 20%), but more durable. The point is that a denser concrete is obtained with fewer pores, respectively, the tile absorbs little water, does not crumble and is resistant to abrasion.

But, pressed tiles have a limited selection of colors and shapes, while cast tiles, on the contrary, are simple to manufacture, which means they are more affordable, plus, you can cast almost any shape, and a large selection of shades.

Tiles are subject to the greatest destruction in winter, when water that gets inside the concrete freezes and expands. Of course, you can protect vibrocast tiles with hydrophobic compounds, but this will not make them eternal, the service life is less than that of pressed tiles. However, for private use on a tight budget, homemade paving slabs can be fine.

How to distinguish vibrocast from vibropressed tiles?

Visually. The first will have a non-uniform smooth structure, the second - a homogeneous, rough. Paradoxically, the vibrocast is more beautiful in appearance (at the time of sale) - bright, smooth (examples in the photo). The difference manifests itself during operation.

Advantages of paving slabs

Why did paving slabs become popular, leaving asphalt, concreted and bulk slabs far behind? Because paving slabs for paths in the country have a number of advantages over other types of coverage:

- moisture and vapor permeability of the coating. Natural microflora is preserved under the path, laid out of tiles, and moisture evaporation occurs as when the soil is loosened, i.e. more uniform. This does not interfere with the growth of the roots of shrubs and trees, and plants growing along the garden path do longer without watering;

- aesthetics. Thanks to the various shapes and colors of the tiles, you can make a beautiful drawing (lay out an ornament, pattern) on the dacha path; - maintainability and the ability to replace, move concrete tiles if necessary; - durability. Cooked and
, will be in operation for 50 years; - the ability to build tracks of complex configuration with your own hands.

There are two ways to get sidewalk and walkway tiles.

• First, buy ready-made paving slabs. Less hassle, faster, easier and not much more expensive. But no one is immune from counterfeiting in this industry, and making paving slabs with your own hands gives confidence in its quality.

• Second, do it yourself. We will consider this method in detail, starting with the material and ending with demolding.

Workshop on making paving slabs

Material for the manufacture of paving slabs

You can't make a quality product from just about anything. Therefore, in the process of listing, we will focus on the properties of the material and the requirements for them.

1. Cement

Determines the quality of the tile. What cement to use for paving slabs? To make the mortar, you need high grade cement (M400 - minimum, ideally M500). Cement grade refers to its compressive strength. Accordingly, the higher the grade of cement, the stronger the concrete solution will be, which forms the basis of the recipe for the production of paving slabs. The use of M-500 cement will give the tiles such properties as frost resistance, strength and water resistance.

Only fresh cement is suitable for the manufacture of tiles (for a month of storage, cement loses 5% of its properties). You can check the quality of the cement by squeezing a handful of powder in a fist. If it seeps through your fingers - the material is fresh, if it gets into a lump - it is better not to buy.

Note. You should not try to save money by purchasing the M 300 brand, because in this case, the consumption of cement will increase significantly.

2. Filler for cement (concrete) mortar

• large filler. Screenings, fine crushed stone, slag or pebbles are used as filler. They must be clean to work.

• fine filler. It includes sand with a fraction of 0.4-0.6 mm. It is important that it does not contain impurities and clay.

3. Water

Drinking water at room temperature is used for the solution.

Sold in powder or ready-mixed form. What is a plasticizer for? It is intended for imparting additional properties to the mortar, reducing the consumption of cement and water, increasing the density of concrete, and facilitating the process of mixing the mortar.

Which plasticizer is best for paving slabs?

Good reviews are deserved by: Westplast, PLASTIMIX F, POLYPLAST SP-1, Master Silk. But, the best (popular among users) is the additive Superplasticizer C-3.

The addition of a plasticizer to the concrete solution guarantees low abrasion of the tile, its moisture and frost resistance.

5. Dye for paving slabs (pigment)

Paint allows you to create tiles in different colors. It is important that the coloring pigments are lightfast. Considering the high price of dyes (from 1,500 to 8,600 thousand rubles), two-color paving slabs are in demand. A dye is added to the top layer, the bottom remains gray.

Material prepared for the site www.site

6. Fiber (reinforcing fiber)

Fiber for concrete is needed to increase the strength of the tiles. For concrete reinforcement, polypropylene fiber is used (fibers up to 20 mm long and 10-50 microns in diameter).

For example, Micronix polypropylene fiber 12mm. (RUB 165.00 / kg), chopped glass glass (RUB 145.00 / kg) or 12mm MicronixBazalt basalt fiber (RUB 98.00 / kg) (in the figure, in order).

Note. The fiber length should not exceed the diameter of the largest aggregate in the concrete mix.

A well-oiled shape will make it easier to remove the tile.

You can buy a special lubricant for molds, for example, Lirossin (Ukraine, 210 rubles / 5 liters). It is a concentrate that is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. Or Emulsol (Russia, 175 and 40 kg barrel, sold on tap at 38 rubles / l).

How to lubricate paving slab molds at home?

Users are advised not to waste funds on industrial lubricants, but to use analogues (substitutes):

• engine oil (can be used);

• soap solution. The cheapest solution of water and detergent, which facilitates the rapid removal of tiles from the mold;

• sunflower (vegetable) oil.

Some craftsmen use a saline solution, but after it, salt stains remain on the tiles, and silicone and plastic molds quickly deteriorate. Others suggest covering the mold with two coats of varnish. This coating will allow the tiles to glide easily. But, this method is applicable only for plastic forms, plus, the varnish quickly deforms, which will affect the quality of the sides and the front surface of the tile.

Tools and equipment for the manufacture of paving slabs

Depends on the number of tiles produced.

The simplest solution is to use an old washing machine set to spin. Such a homemade vibrating table for paving slabs allows you to get a perfectly compacted (compacted) mixture for the manufacture of paving slabs.

3. Rack for drying paving slabs (dryer)... Any place where tiles in a mold will dry for 2-3 days, another week without a mold, and then finally dry out for another month.

4. Bucket, bowl or suitable container... Serves to heat the mold with tiles and facilitate the process of removing tiles from the mold.

5. Forms for the manufacture of paving slabs... There are no problems with the forms at all due to their variety (you can order in the online store). To speed up the process, it is better to immediately acquire a dozen forms.

Types of forms for tiles

... They are used for the manufacture of tiles of complex shapes with various structural surfaces. The elasticity of the material (silicone) is both plus and minus forms. The advantage is that they reproduce the drawing in the smallest detail. The disadvantage is that the shape expands (swells) from the concrete and changes its shape, which affects the geometry of the product (deformation). One form is designed (withstands) 50 cycles.

.

Used to make a simple pattern. Advantages of the plastic mold: flexibility, strength and durability. The estimated period of operation of the forms is 800 cycles.

.

Polyurethane holds its shape better than silicone, but is more expensive. The polyurethane mold will last for 100 cycles.

How to make molds for paving slabs with your own hands

Several options for making forms from available tools:

• Wooden forms can be knocked down from scraps of plywood or boards, and fastened together with metal corners.

It will not work to make a shape out of wood with complex geometry. A wooden mold can be made in the form of a triangle, square, rhombus, rectangle or hexagon.

Note. When planning to make a form for paving slabs, please note that its internal dimensions are taken into account.

• Plastic molds can be made from strips cut from communication boxes. It is difficult, but quite realistic, to make a complex polygonal shape, the diagram of which is shown below.

Note. In such a homemade form, the tiles are cast directly at the place of laying.

• Forms from food containers (dishes, trays, plastic containers)

• Make it yourself from polymer (but this is already from the category of private entrepreneurship, it will remain to issue an individual entrepreneur and open your own business - a business for the production of paving slabs on an industrial scale).

Advice. When choosing a curly shape, pay attention to the presence of halves and details (constituent elements, fragments) in order to avoid unnecessary cutting tiles.

Studying the question of how to make paving slabs with your own hands, it is important to pay attention to how to choose the right proportions and how to knead the solution for laying.

Paving slab mortar - proportions, composition, preparation

To begin with, we will provide a ready-made recipe for a mortar for paving slabs with a given thickness of 60 mm. And then we'll show you how to mix the ingredients correctly.

The composition of the mortar for paving slabs is shown in the table

Components (additives)	Proportions for manufacturing in%	For 1 sq. tiles	For 1 cbm. solution
Cement M 500	21 %	30 Kg	500 Kg
Screening or fine gravel	23%	32 kg	540 kg
Sand	56%	75 kg	1300 kg
Plasticizer S-3	0.7% by weight of concrete	50 g	1.9 liters
Dye	7% by weight of concrete	700 g	10 Kg
Fiber fiber per 1m3 of concrete	0.05% by weight of concrete	60 g	0.7-1.0 kg
Water	5.5% by weight of concrete	8 liters	130 liters

From 1 cubic meter solution can be made 16.5 sq. m. paving slabs, with a thickness of 60 mm.

To prepare a good mortar for paving slabs, you need to mix the components in a concrete mixer in a specific sequence, with a specific mixing mode.

1. Preparation of the solution

The plasticizer is mixed with a small amount of water and poured into a concrete mixer. Only warm water is used for mixing, because additives do not dissolve in cold. While stirring, make sure that the plasticizer is completely dissolved.

The dye is also mixed with hot (about 80 ° C) water in a ratio of 1: 3. It is necessary to observe that the coloring solution is homogeneous. The presence of lumps will "result" in the appearance of craters on the face of the tile.

Next, the filler (crushed stone and sand) is added in turn, then cement. Periodically, water is added to the cement-sand mixture for more convenient mixing. The bulk of the water is supplied at the end of the batch.

Optimal mode (time) of cement slurry mixing

The mixture for paving slabs is ready when it is held on a trowel in a dense mass, without spreading. When pouring, the grout should easily fill the mold.

2. Preparation of the form

The surface of the mold is lubricated with the selected lubricant. In the process, you need to ensure that no lubricant stains form on the surface. The shape should be a little greasy, for better gliding of the product on the surface.

Notes. Excessive lubrication will cause depressions on the tile. If it is insufficient, it is difficult to take it out.

3. Technology of manufacturing paving slabs (molding)

At this stage, the solution is poured into molds. Moreover, if a two-color tile is made, then the form is filled with gray concrete by 75%, and then filled with colored one. The interval between fillings should not exceed 20 minutes. Otherwise, the layers of the solution will loosely adhere to each other.

Shake the poured molds and place them on a vibrating table. The duration of the stay of the form on the vibrating table is 5 minutes. The readiness indicator is the appearance of a white foam - this means that all air bubbles have escaped from the solution. Excessive vibration treatment (shaking the mold) can lead to separation of the solution. The signal to stop vibrations is the settling of the white foam.

Advice. In the manufacture of two-color paving slabs, vibration should be carried out after pouring each layer. The second vibration lasts 2-3 minutes, while the foam may not appear.

4. Drying paving slabs at home

The mortar-filled molds are placed on racks for subsequent drying, which takes 2-3 days. The drying area should be protected from direct sunlight and well ventilated. To reduce the rate of evaporation of moisture from the solution, it is better to cover the mold with plastic wrap.

5. De-molding of paving slabs (demoulding)

How to remove a tile from a mold?

To facilitate the extraction process, you can lower the mold with filling for 5 seconds. into hot (about 60 ° C) water. The form expands from the heat, and the tiles can be removed without defects or problems.

The product should be knocked out on a soft base, for example, spread an old blanket.

Please note that the removed tile holds its shape well, but the solution has not yet completely hardened, so the composition will crumble and may crack or break. The removed tiles are stored on the same drying racks for another week. Then it can be folded on a pallet and finally dried for another month. During this period, the tile will gain the required strength.

How much does it cost to make paving slabs at home?

This is not an idle interest, but rational approach requiring calculations, budgeting to determine the budget and profitability.

Calculation of the cost of manufacturing paving slabs

Material	Price
Cement (M 500 Portland)	300-500 rub / bag 59 kg
Granite crushed stone, fraction 3-10 mm (the larger the cheaper)	RUB 1,500-2,000 per cube
Seeded sand	600 rubles / cubic meter
Plasticizer (C-3)	80 rub / l
Dye	from 1500 to 8600 rubles / 25 kg The cost depends on the resistance to the external environment
Fiberglass	from 98 to 165 rubles / kg
Mold lubricant	from 0 to 100 rubles / l
Shapes (price varies depending on shape, size and material)
- plastic	made of primary plastic: RUB 69-200 / pcs. (depending on size) 43-60 rubles / piece. from recycled plastic: RUB 43-60 / pcs.
- silicone	120-150 rub / piece
- polyurethane	RUB 200-370 / pcs.
- simple "bricks"	from 30 rubles / piece
- original	up to RUB 1,500 / pc.

The table shows approximate unit prices. The total amount depends on the expense.

The price of ready-made paving slabs of a simple configuration starts from 200 rubles. per sq. m., textured from 450 rubles. Multiply by the required square (area) and add shipping. Compare your results. On average, savings range from 10% (for local tiles) to 25% (for branded tiles). At the same time, it should be understood that each manufacturer in a competitive environment seeks to reduce the cost of its products as much as possible. As a rule, this affects the quality, which cannot always be determined immediately, but only after some time.

Defects of paving slabs

In favor self-made paving slabs can be noted:

• confidence in the quality of the product;

• the ability to make tiles in between other activities;

• the fascination of the process;

• beautiful result and pride in our own successes.

When conducting construction works(or at their end) the question of the improvement of the adjacent territory inevitably arises. Walking on the remains of building materials and cement-soil mixture is inconvenient and antisocial. There are many solutions to bring this design task to life, including the justifiably popular laying of paving slabs. This material has many configuration options and a wide selection. color solutions, easy to install and relatively inexpensive.

The production of paving slabs is possible without expensive equipment and does not require the involvement of production facilities. Anyone can organize it. Correctly selected proportions of concrete and other components of the mixture will provide high-quality construction material with significant savings.

Materials for paving slabs

To minimize the cost of paving slabs (which every zealous owner dreams of in pink dreams), you can make it yourself at home. This does not require expensive equipment, but only the most simple tools: a concrete mixer (if any) or a container for mixing mortar (Russian-Soviet trough), shovels, buckets, molds, also made independently or purchased at bargain prices. And, of course, materials:

• cement,
• sand,
• crushed stone,
• water,
• plasticizer,
• modifier,
• coloring pigment of the desired color.

In order for the result of your work to justify the costs and efforts spent, follow the simple recommendations below.

The quality of concrete products (in particular paving slabs) largely depends on the correct selection of concrete components and careful observance of their proportions. Therefore, you need to purchase Portland cement M500 without additives (to be sure), washed granite crushed stone of 5-10 mm fraction, coarse river sand, high-quality plasticizer and pigment dye, use clean water. Of course, you can buy cheaper (respectively, lower quality) ingredients, but then it will be very difficult to achieve the proper quality of the final product.

Concrete mix composition

Products such as curbs, sidewalk and facade tiles according to GOST 17608-91 must meet high. The proportions and composition of the mixture greatly affect specifications and the quality of the final products.

Experts recommend opting for M500 cement, which belongs to the group of Portland cements and is distinguished by its high strength and earlier setting, in comparison with concrete of the M400 grade and below. Cement M500 can be supplied with mineral additives (no more than 20%) or without them. PC II / A-SH 500 contains mineral additives, PC I-500 - pure Portland cement (products made from such cement can withstand a load of up to 500 kg / cm 2).

In the production of paving slabs, it is best to use an additive-free option.

Crushed stone should be selected with a fraction of 5-10 mm. At the same time, its abrasion resistance should not be lower than M800 (high-strength or durable type), frost resistance indicators - F300-400 (correspond to the characteristics of crushed granite). The sand should be purchased from a large river (the size of the fraction is not less than 2.5 mm) with a percentage of impurities - not more than 3%.

The use of plasticizers and superplasticizers makes it possible to obtain cast tiles without vibration. With a decrease in the amount of water in the composition of the solution, we get a self-compacting high-strength concrete for paving slabs.

To give the product the desired shade, iron oxide pigments-dyes are used that are resistant to ultraviolet radiation, moisture, and high temperatures.

Polypropylene fiber acts as a reinforcing material. This additive is capable of replacing steel reinforcement and prevents the formation of cracks in finished structures.

Water is necessary for the adhesion of the components and the homogeneity of the mixture.

The proportions of the concrete mix - 1: 2: 2 (water, cement, crushed stone)

Step 1. We need 15-20 liters of fresh clean water (2 buckets) for 50 kg of no-rimless cement M500. Pour water into the concrete mixer.

Step 2... Dissolve the plasticizer in a small amount of warm water (up to 50 ° C) and add the composition to the concrete mixer, and then mix thoroughly.

Step 3... We take pigments-dyes from the calculation of the norm recommended by the manufacturer.

Step 4. Pour clean granite crushed stone in the amount of three 12-liter buckets into a concrete mixer and mix with water. Adding granite screenings significantly reduces the risk of cracking and increases the strength of the finished product.

Step 5... Add a bag of cement (50 kg or 3 12-liter buckets) to the resulting mixture. After adding each bucket, mix the mixture thoroughly.

Step 6... Add 1 more bucket of crushed granite and knead again. Then we load 4 buckets of river sand, mixing thoroughly after each new portion (bucket). Add a little water if necessary.

Step 7... Add the last bucket of rubble. The whole process of making one such portion will take you no more than 10 minutes. At the same time, the above proportions and composition of concrete for paving slabs will make it possible to obtain a thick high-quality mortar.

Step 8... Pour the mixture into molds. We seal the contents in the forms with a mallet. When laying concrete mortar in the form, the latter should be shaken a little, which will allow for a more dense shrinkage of the composition.

Step 9... After a couple of days, we remove the tile, having previously greased it with oil or emulsion. To simplify the extraction process, you can place the mold under hot water (up to + 60 ° C).

Concrete mixing

So, let's start making concrete mix. The recommended ratio of dry components (cement, sand, crushed stone) should be taken in a ratio of 1: 2: 2, and the plasticizer and dye according to the manufacturer's recommendation.

First, pour about 20 liters of clean water into the concrete mixer. We prepare a plasticizer solution. For this required amount Dissolve dry matter (about 0.7% of the weight of cement) in warm (50 - 60 ° C) water, pour it into a concrete mixer and mix thoroughly. Now we send the pigment dye there (from 2 to 5% of the mass of cement). After 1 - 2 minutes we fill in clean crushed stone, then with the same interval we place sand and cement in a concrete mixer. To increase the durability of concrete, increase its wear resistance and impact resistance, polyamide, polypropylene or glass alkali-resistant fibers 10 - 20 mm long, 10 - 40 microns in diameter (0.8 - 1.0 kg per 1 m3 of concrete) can be added to the solution. Thanks to this reinforcement, the strength characteristics of the finished product are significantly increased. The finished solution should be held up on a trowel with a slide, but spread easily even with slight shaking.

If you do not have a concrete mixer, the concrete making process can be done manually. Of course, this will require more effort and time, but with due diligence, the result will be good.

New forms do not require special preparation before pouring the solution. However, over time, small scratches appear on their inner surface, which increase the adhesion of the form to the solution. In this case, it is required to treat the surface with a special emulsion for easy removal of the tile. After pouring the solution, we seal it with a mallet or light shaking to ensure complete filling of the mold and dense shrinkage of the composition.

After two days, the tile must be removed from the mold. Warming up in hot (up to 60 ° C) water will help facilitate this operation. For the next two weeks, the tiles are kept in the shade at above-zero temperatures, regularly pouring water over the product to prevent drying out. During this time, the concrete will gain its maximum strength, and the tiles can be used for their intended purpose.

Over the next two weeks, the products are stored in a shaded place at a temperature not lower than 0 ° C, periodically wetting their surface with water. After two weeks the paving slabs are completely dry and at their maximum strength, you can start laying them.