I need to render a concrete tank. Instructions call for a cement/sand ratio with the sand being “soft” sand or at worst 1:1 soft to hard sand.
Can someone please explain “soft” sand to me.
Thanks
Bob
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Replies
For me soft sand is where I can use my 60* wedge to get out. The hard sand requires the PW. Anything in the middle and I use my SW.
Sorry, I'm in a golfing frame of mind.
I think soft sand means mortar sand - ie fine sand. I believe hard sand is more like concrete sand.
got'cha two basic kinds of sand, sharp sand and round sand. sharp sand is dug from the ground and is not rounded. beach or river sand is smooth from rolling around. ALL mortar or concrete mixes I've seen spec'ed call for sharp, (hard?) sand. good luck, Jim
In one of the masonry books there is a tale of a chap who bought cheap sand which made very poor mortar. It turned out the sand had been used for sandblasting and the individual grains were almost spherical.
Over here we say 'building sand' for that used with brick and block and 'sharp sand' which is rougher and used as a component in concrete mixes or for use with stone.