Best concrete for sonotubes is a simple, effective solution that’s perfect for both residential and commercial use. This cement, gravel and sand additive consists of a blend of small aggregates, which are mixed with Portland cement and water to form a thick paste. You apply this paste directly to the inside of your concrete form before pouring in the concrete to create a smooth finish. Sonotube is the best concrete for sonotubes because it is easy to work with and will be easy to cut, allowing for a precise fit. Sonotube can also be left open-ended if you want your project to be as cost effective as possible.
If you have decided to build a deck or porch, you will need to pour concrete footings in order to support the structure. Sonotubes are pre-made tubes that can be used as molds for concrete footings. They come in various sizes, depending on the depth of your footing and the load capacity it needs to carry. The proper way to place concrete into a Sonotube is important for making sure that your structures do not sink into the ground over time. Here is how it is done:
Mixing concrete by hand.
Mixing concrete by hand is a good way to save money on larger projects, but it’s not always feasible for small jobs. You can mix concrete by hand with a shovel or hoe (or even your hands), but it can be hard work if you’re doing it alone. If you have help, though, mixing concrete in a wheelbarrow is the best way to go.
Dry ingredients in a wheelbarrow.
You need to mix the concrete by hand, so you’ll need a wheelbarrow. First, put the dry ingredients in a wheelbarrow and mix them together thoroughly with a shovel (or hoe). Next, add water to make it the right consistency not too runny or too thick. Put your concrete into the Sonotube and tamp down with a rod as you go. Do not pour all of the concrete at once; it should be poured layer by layer so that there are no air pockets left inside your Sonotubes.
Add water and mix.
You will need to add water to the cement and sand before you can mix it. Add water slowly and mix with a shovel. Measure out how much water you are adding by using measuring cups or a bucket. Keep track of how many cups of concrete and sand that you have mixed together on a piece of paper, so that if there is leftover material, it can be used again in the future.
Mixing together cement and sand requires some elbow grease! You can use many different tools for this task; options include:
- A shovel
- An electric mixer (this may not be practical in small batches)
- A large container with handles (such as an ice cream bucket)
Put the concrete into the Sonotube, tamping it down with a rod as you go.
Once the concrete is in place and tamped down, you’ll want to remove any air pockets that may have been created when pouring. This can be done by poking into the concrete with a long rod like a broomstick or a pole.
Use your rod to gently press down, removing any air that might be trapped between the Sonotube and wall. Be careful not to tamp too hard or too little it’s important that you don’t leave any large voids in your installation, but if you tamp too much then you risk damaging your finished product.
Do not put too much concrete in at one time. It will harden before you can get it packed down effectively.
The most important thing to remember is not to fill the tube too full. You don’t want any concrete in the bottom, because it will get stuck there and be hard to remove later on. And you also don’t want any concrete on top of your reinforcement steel, because that can cause cracking or even collapse the structure.
- Do not put too much concrete in at one time. It will harden before you can get it packed down effectively.
- The best way is probably just filling half-way up with a trowel and then adding more as needed until you’ve filled all space within your tube (and then some).
The best way to fill Sonotubes is to buy pre-mixed bags of concrete and pour them into the tube by hand.
The best way to fill Sonotubes is to buy pre-mixed bags of concrete and pour them into the tube by hand.
This method is faster than a concrete mixer, cheaper than a concrete mixer, and more accurate than a concrete mixer.
Final words
The best way to fill Sonotubes is to buy pre-mixed bags of concrete and pour them into the tube by hand. If you have a large volume of Sonotubes, this can be labor-intensive. If mixing by hand is too difficult for you, consider renting a machine from your local home improvement store or hiring someone who has equipment available. Another option would be buying ready-made Sonotube Concrete Tubes that are already filled with high quality materials so all you need to do is put them in place. These come in different sizes depending on what size job needs doing. I would recommend getting three or four tubes per post hole if possible because they tend not to break down over time.
