10:1 sand/cement mix working time

[Bob_A]

Well put!

[Carberry]

Have used 10:1 a few times and not had any problems with it. More is expensive and cement is pretty bad for the environment. Problem you run in to is when quoting against other contractors, customers always equate more cement to much better even if it is unnecessary.

[lutonlagerlout]

if it was 10:1 readymix i would probably agree
but in the real world labourers (site oppos whatever you wish to call them)
have more pressing issues than mix accuracy
if the grit sand is wet they often add a couple more shovels to stiffen it up
many other factors mean that unless each gauge is properly gauged with a box or bucket that your 10:1 can end up 8 :1 or 14 :1
for me personally I have never had any problems with the half bag and 10 big shovels of sand technique
most of the patios i see that have failed are either dot and dabbed,or laid on a mix that you can pull out with a fork

obviously our grit sand is different to that tough northern grit sand as well
cheers LLL