Replies

1. 
   CAGIV | Jun 26, 2003 06:11am | #1

   some one will be along to give you an overview, but here is a good site for research

   http://205.214.92.183/vbulletin/index.php?s=0dfd0e3dc157438dde7cc1610614d8d8

   Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professionals built the Titanic.

2. 
   wrick2003 | Jun 26, 2003 03:49pm | #2

   i don't know where you are, but the HD/ Menards stores in the twin cities don't sell floor mix.  i go to a tile store for it.  it is 8 bucks for an 80 pound bag. don't forget to prep your subfloor right.

   good luck     rg

1. 
   mick182 | Jun 29, 2003 05:34pm | #3

   I haven't been able to find much info on mortar beds. I stopped at a reputable tile store and the guy couldn't tell me a thing about mud floors, In my research I came up with these ingredients for a mud floor: (1) part- portland cement to (6) parts sand to (1) part water Does this sound right to you experts out there? For a 4'x4' floor how much of this stuff will I need? I'm not sure how to calculate this(the mud will be 3/4"). Also I will be mixing by hand so I would like to find out the best procedure for that also.  Thanks again for any replies.

1. 
   andybuildz | Jun 29, 2003 07:16pm | #4

   mick

         I usually do a 5:1 mix.

   I also "don't ever" use water. I use a liquid latex mortar additive instead which you can pick up at HD in 2.5 gallon containers for under $20.

   I dont think you'll need more than one container for a 4x4 floor.

   I set some 1x2 "straight" pieces of wood on the floor about 6" from each wall pointing towards the door ....duh... then in your case take a straight 1x6 about 3 1/2' long to use as your screed.

   Dump your mud on on the floor around your 1x2's (1x2' are on the flat by the way for a 3/4" thick floor) over wire lathe.

   Spread it as evenly around the 1x2's best as you can with a wood float tamping it down as you go along to get out any hollow spots.

   Keep the mud a bit proud of the  1x2's. Take your 1x6 screed and start working it back and forth across the 1x2's creating a perfectly smooth surface.

    Carefully remove the 1x2's and take a metal trowel and carefully fill the 2 gaps (chopping the mud in with the end of your trowel after the gaps are filled) with mud and go over that area with your wood float to smooth it out.

   When its more than 4' I usually do my 1x2's in several pieces keeping them all level to one another. This way I can pull them out. I can reach over four feet so that length is perfect for me.

   If your subfloor isn't level put some mud under the end of the 1x2's where necessary to shim them up creating a level surface.

    HAve fun

              BE well

                            andy 

    

   In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

1. 
   mick182 | Jun 29, 2003 07:59pm | #5

   Thanks for reply Andy,

   So If I understand you correctly you use 5 parts sand to 1 part portland cement and 1 part additive(instead of water)? Couple of questions- how much of each componet do you think i would need for this project? Would 1 bag of cement and 5 bags of sand do it? Does the sand even come in bags? Also how do i go about mixing it by hand? Should i use a drill and do it in 5 gal. pails? I'm totally clueless on how much I need, how to go about mixing it and how much to mix at once (as you can probably tell) so I really appreciate you taking time to reply.

   Mick

1. 
   andybuildz | Jun 29, 2003 09:03pm | #6

   mick

         Right..5 sand, 1 Portland cement.

   Mix it with a shovel. A mason's hoe  (a hoe with a circle out of the middle of it) is the right tool but expensive if this is the only job you plan on doing.First mix it dry before you start adding the additive.

   Once its thoroly mixed dry start adding your liquid additive. Forget about how much liquid to add in ratio amounts. Just eyeball it. Add a little to get it all wet, then slowly, a little at a time add more untill if you were to make a ball out of it in your hands it would almost fall apart. You want a relativly dry mix, but not too dry.

     One bag of Portland will be plenty.

   Far as the sand goes.......if you have any empty spacle size buckets go to your mason supply yard and fill up four or five to be safe (sand is cheap). If you have no buckets the supply houses usually will give you clear plastic bags equivilant to approx. a spackle bucket size.

    My recommendation is to get your sand and cement at the local mason supply yard. They'll tell you the exact amount of sand you'll need.

   If it were me I'd get 4-5 bags/buckets of sand.

   Be well

             andy 

    

   In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

2. 
   mick182 | Jun 29, 2003 09:17pm | #7

   Thanks again Andy,

   Should I just throw tarp down on the driveway and mix everything into one big pile (dry) and then just mix it up right there and then lug it in by the bucket? How long does the mud stay workable? Thanks again Andy.

3. 
   andybuildz | Jun 30, 2003 02:28pm | #8

   mick

       HD sells big mixing pans in the building dept for about twelve bucks or so. Should be in the concrete area. MAkes it much easier and I'm sure you'll find other uses for it. MAkes it a whole lot easier. The working time deoends on the weather but you should have about 20 minutes to 1/2 hr or so. You'll start working with it right away and you only have a small area so I wouldnt worry about it.

    With the mixing pan (theyre heavy plastic) you can mix it right next to the bathroom over a drop cloth so you won't need to lug buckets.

   a 

    

   In his first interview since the stroke, Ram Dass, 66, spoke with great difficulty about how his brush with death has changed his ideas about aging, and how the recent loss of two old friends, Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg, has convinced him that now, more than ever, is the time to ``Be Here Now.''

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM