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Place the solution. How to make a cement-sand mortar with your own hands? Solutions with chemical additives

Cement is a popular building material used in the process of performing various works. Concrete is obtained from it, which is used in the process of erecting or repairing structures, when creating a foundation or other objects. It is cement that is the main component for the formation of concrete mortar. Therefore, you need to know exactly how to properly create this mixture so that it has the desired consistency and uniformity. So, let's look at how to properly dilute cement.

Important! The strength, reliability, service life and resistance of the resulting structures to various influences depend on the quality and other parameters of the concrete solution.

Features of the use of cement

Cement is a special adhesive used to create various mixtures or solutions. The most commonly produced concrete solution, which includes components:

  • suitable brand of cement;
  • pure water;
  • various fillers, which can be used as sand or gravel.

The amount of mortar, the quality of the components and their proportions completely depend on the purpose for which the mixture is created, since it can be used for laying walls or for plastering them (than plastering aerated concrete). It is used for pouring the foundation or other similar purposes.

Basic rules for creating a quality solution

The basic rules used in the process of creating a quality mixture include:

  • it is allowed to mix the components and fill them with water in metal or plastic containers;
  • the size of the container depends on the volume of the solution that must be obtained as a result;
  • dry components are initially mixed, namely sand and cement, and they must first be sieved through a fine sieve so that they are completely free of any large impurities and inclusions;
  • then pure water is added to this mixture, and it is desirable that it be cold;
  • while adding water, it is necessary to mix the mixture thoroughly to get the optimal consistency, similar to sour cream;
  • it is quite easy to determine the desired density, since the mixture must be kept on a spatula, and at the same time it must not be allowed to drain from it.

Important! If dirty sand is used, then before use it is necessary to soak it in water, after which it is well mixed, the water is drained and the sand is dried.

The resulting solution has optimal parameters for an hour and a half, so you need to use it for its intended purpose during this time, and if this does not work, you will have to make a new mixture.

In what proportions to dilute cement?

The correct proportions can vary considerably for different mixtures. Therefore, before mixing, it is necessary to decide for what purposes a particular solution will be used.

Important! The consistency of the solution changes from the proportions of the components.

The most popular mortars that require cement are:

  • Mixture for plastering walls. For its preparation, it is recommended to use 1 part of cement and 3 parts of sand. The volume of water is usually equal to part of the cement, but it cannot be added immediately, so it is poured into the dry mixture in small portions to obtain the desired consistency. If you need to carry out internal plastering work, then the M150 or M200 brand is selected, and if it is planned to plaster the facade, then the M300 brand is suitable.
  • Mortar for bricklaying. It uses 1 part cement and 4 parts sand. The optimal brands for these works are M300 and M400. Often, slaked lime, which acts as an astringent component, is also added to such a mixture. Its amount is calculated as 0.2 parts per 1 part of cement. Due to this substance, a plastic solution is obtained, which is quite easy and convenient to work with. The amount of water may vary, as it is added gradually until a solution of the desired density is obtained. It is important to make a mixture that will not run off the spatula at a 40 degree angle.

  • A mixture designed to create a floor screed. Usually, proportions are used for it: 1 part of cement to three parts of sand. The M400 brand is considered optimal. Water is added in a volume of ½ of the amount of cement. To make a sparse mortar, it is recommended to gradually add water, as it is important that the mixture is well drawn, which ensures that all voids in the base are filled.
  • Concrete. Concrete is made using 1 part cement, 2 parts sand and 4 parts gravel. If this solution is made to form the foundation of the structure, then it is necessary to purchase material of the M500 brand. The amount of water is ½ of the cement. Water should be clean and drinkable, and it is recommended to mix the composition with a concrete mixer (how to choose a concrete mixer for home and garden). All solution must be used within one hour of receiving it.

Important! If you want to get a mixture, the amount of which will be enough to form the foundation of the building, then you will need a fairly large amount of it, for which special equipment is used, represented by a concrete mixer.

Often ready-made solutions are purchased at the factory, in which case it is necessary to make sure that the mixture is created immediately before being sent to the customer. Before buying, all documents for the mixture are studied in order to know what components it consists of, as well as what parameters it has.

It is necessary to choose the right grades of material for the formation of various solutions. If the mixture is intended to create brickwork, then you can use the M50 or M100 grades, and if you want to make a foundation, then it is advisable to choose grades from M300 to M500. The higher the grade of the material, the more durable and reliable the solution will be.

Video: how to mix cement mortar

Cement can be diluted with different components, and their number and purpose depend on the purpose for which the final solution will be used. It is important to use only high-quality and pure materials, as well as mix them in the correct sequence. It is recommended to use a concrete mixer or a construction mixer for mixing, as manual mixing does not ensure uniform distribution of all components. With proper adherence to all recommendations, it is guaranteed to obtain a high-quality and optimal solution for specific purposes. That's all, we hope this article - "How to properly breed cement" was useful to you.

Simple chemical solutions can be easily prepared different ways at home or at work. Whether you are making a solution from a powder material or diluting a liquid, the correct amount of each component can be easily determined. When preparing chemical solutions, remember to use personal protective equipment to avoid injury.

Steps

Calculation of percentages using the weight/volume formula

  1. Determine percentage content by weight/volume of solution. Percentages show how many parts of a substance are in one hundred parts of a solution. When applied to chemical solutions, this means that if the concentration is 1 percent, then 100 milliliters of the solution contains 1 gram of the substance, that is, 1 ml / 100 ml.

    • For example, by weight: A 10% solution by weight contains 10 grams of the substance dissolved in 100 milliliters of the solution.
    • For example, by volume: A 23% solution by volume contains 23 milliliters of the liquid compound for every 100 milliliters of solution.

  2. Determine the volume of solution you want to prepare. To find out the required mass of a substance, you must first determine the final volume of the solution you need. This volume depends on how much solution you need, how often you will use it, and on the stability of the finished solution.

    • If it is necessary to use a fresh solution each time, prepare only the amount needed for one use.
    • If the solution retains its properties for a long time, you can prepare a larger amount to use it in the future.

  3. Calculate the number of grams of substance required to prepare the solution. To calculate the required number of grams, use the following formula: number of grams = (percentage required)(required volume/100 ml). In this case, the required percentages are expressed in grams, and the required volume is expressed in milliliters.

    • Example: you need to prepare a 5% NaCl solution with a volume of 500 milliliters.
    • number of grams = (5g)(500ml/100ml) = 25 grams.
    • If NaCl is given as a solution, simply take 25 milliliters of NaCl instead of grams of powder and subtract that volume from the final volume: 25 milliliters of NaCl per 475 milliliters of water.

  4. Weigh the substance. After you calculate the required mass of the substance, you should measure this amount. Take a calibrated scale, place the bowl on it and set it to zero. Weigh the required amount of the substance in grams and pour it out.

    • Before continuing to prepare the solution, be sure to clear the weighing pan of powder residue.
    • In the example above, 25 grams of NaCl must be weighed.

  5. Dissolve the substance in the required amount of liquid. Unless otherwise specified, water is used as the solvent. Take a measuring beaker and measure out the required amount of liquid. After that, dissolve the powder material in the liquid.

    • Sign the container in which you will store the solution. Clearly indicate on it the substance and its concentration.
    • Example: Dissolve 25 grams of NaCl in 500 milliliters of water to make a 5% solution.
    • Remember that if you are diluting a liquid substance, to obtain the required amount of water, you must subtract the volume of the substance added from the final volume of the solution: 500 ml - 25 ml \u003d 475 ml of water.

    Preparation of a molecular solution

    1. Determine the molecular weight of the substance used by the formula. The formula molecular weight (or simply molecular weight) of a compound is written in grams per mole (g/mol) on the side of the bottle. If you can't find the molecular weight on the bottle, look it up online.

      • The molecular weight of a substance is the mass (in grams) of one mole of that substance.
      • Example: The molecular weight of sodium chloride (NaCl) is 58.44 g/mol.

    2. Determine the volume of the required solution in liters. It is very easy to prepare one liter of the solution, as its molarity is expressed in moles/liter, however it may be necessary to make more or less than a liter, depending on the purpose of the solution. Use the final volume to calculate the required number of grams.

      • Example: it is necessary to prepare 50 milliliters of a solution with a molar fraction of NaCl 0.75.
      • To convert milliliters to liters, divide them by 1000 and get 0.05 liters.

    3. Calculate the number of grams needed to prepare the required molecular solution. To do this, use the following formula: number of grams = (required volume) (required molarity) (molecular weight according to the formula). Remember that the required volume is expressed in liters, the molarity is in moles per liter, and the molecular weight of the formula is in grams per mole.

      • Example: if you want to prepare 50 milliliters of a solution with a NaCl mole fraction of 0.75 (molecular weight formula: 58.44 g/mol), you should calculate the number of grams of NaCl.
      • number of grams = 0.05 L * 0.75 mol/L * 58.44 g/mol = 2.19 grams of NaCl.
      • By reducing the units of measurement, you get grams of a substance.

    4. Weigh the substance. Using a properly calibrated balance, weigh out the required amount of the substance. Place the bowl on the balance and zero before weighing. Add the substance to the bowl until you get the desired mass.

      • Clean the weighing pan after use.
      • Example: Weigh 2.19 grams of NaCl.

    5. Dissolve the powder in the required amount of liquid. Unless otherwise noted, water is used to prepare most solutions. In this case, the same volume of liquid is taken, which was used in calculating the mass of the substance. Add the substance to the water and stir it until completely dissolved.

      • Sign the container with the solution. Clearly label the solute and molarity so that the solution can be used later.
      • Example: Using a beaker (a volume measuring instrument), measure 50 milliliters of water and dissolve 2.19 grams of NaCl in it.
      • Stir the solution until the powder is completely dissolved.

    Dilution of solutions with a known concentration

    1. Determine the concentration of each solution. When diluting solutions, you need to know the concentration of the original solution and the solution that you want to receive. This method is suitable for diluting concentrated solutions.

      • Example: 75 ml of a 1.5 M NaCl solution is to be prepared from a 5 M solution. The stock solution is 5 M and needs to be diluted to 1.5 M.

    2. Determine the volume of the final solution. You need to find the volume of the solution that you want to get. You will have to calculate the amount of solution that will be required to dilute this solution to obtain the required concentration and volume.

      • Example: 75 milliliters of a 1.5 M NaCl solution is to be prepared from a 5 M initial solution. In this example, the final volume of the solution is 75 milliliters.

There are a variety of options to implement preparation of solutions. Consider the most reliable, optimal and fastest way.

Water in the preparation of the solution.

If you are preparing a classic solution in a concrete mixer, then first of all you need to pour water into it. Do not trust any formulas, because it is impossible to determine in advance how much water will be needed. For example, when using wet sand, much less water is needed. The simplest way of oriented calculation is the orientation on the amount of cement. For example, mixing one bucket of cement will require about the same amount of water. So that the solution does not turn out to be liquid, it is worth pouring a little less water than the norm. Online calculation of the composition of the cement mortar.

In the meantime, if the liquid is not enough, then periodically you will have to add sand or cement, then add water. It will be very long solution preparation process. If the liquid is added a little less than the norm, then the mixing of sand with cement will take place many times faster than with a thick solution. After adding the last portions of sand and cement to the concrete mixer, the necessary residual liquid is added by eye. For faster and better mixing of cement and sand, they must be in a liquid state. At the end of the batch, the desired density of the solution is adjusted. If the solution turned out to be quite liquid, do not worry, it's all fixable. Just add a bit of sand and cement of the required grade (1:4, 1:3, etc.) in the same proportions.

Detergent in the preparation of the solution.

This is a very unusual but useful supplement. With its help, the solution becomes elastic and thereby improves the quality of the resulting solution. For these purposes, it is best to use a dishwashing detergent or liquid soap. The quality and brand of detergent does not matter, it is important that it foams. If planned a large number of solution, it is much more profitable to buy detergents in plastic five-liter bottles, because it is always cheaper in bulk.

Approximately 50-100 grams of detergent is added to the concrete mixer. It is impossible to calculate its specific amount, as this is influenced by various factors. This component is added after pouring water, then they react well with each other and foam well. Three to five minutes is enough for the dissolution and foaming process to be completed in a working concrete mixer. Don't add detergent at the end of the batch, then it will not be able to affect the solution.

After the detergent has dissolved well, sand must be added. However, all the sand is not poured at a time, only half of the amount needed for the entire batch is required. For example, for preparation of solution brand 100 and cement brand 400, at the first addition, only two of the four required parts are filled up.

Cement in the preparation of the solution.

After half of the sand, cement is added to the concrete mixer - in the full amount for kneading. Its mixing with sand and water occurs after a couple of minutes.

Sand in the preparation of the solution.

The rest of the sand is added when all the ingredients in the concrete mixer are completely mixed. If required, the missing part of the sand is added and, upon completion, the density of the solution is adjusted. After that, the solution is finally mixed for three to five minutes.

In the end, the solution should be not very liquid and not very thick. By consistency, it should be very similar to store-bought sour cream. The form of the solution should be very well kept. To verify this, you can try to draw or write something on the surface of the solution. The written text should not blur.

Tip: for preparation of a quality solution double batch(approximately eight buckets of sand-cement mixture) will take only fifteen minutes time.

Application and production of cement mortars at negative temperatures.

At low temperatures, you can easily build brickwork.

Facial laying:

Up to minus five degrees, it is possible to produce brick facing masonry without the use of any additives. At lower temperatures, without the addition of such prepared additives, the mortar may crumble, especially when the seam has been embroidered with a semi-circular joint. As such an additive, it is very good to use potash, besides, it is not expensive.

Backfill masonry (rough):

If the temperature drops to minus ten degrees, then backfill masonry is erected. In this case, it is not necessary to add any special chemical additives, since the strength of the solution will not change. If the temperature drops even lower, potash is used again.

Mortar and cement can be protected from low temperatures in winter in the following ways:

1) Using a warm composition, masonry is produced by freezing;

2) They heat the masonry artificially, with the help of heaters, air-heating installations and other heating devices;

3) You can build a temporary shelter, as well as warm it up with heat guns or cover it with PVC insulation and film.

Tips for making a cement mixture at a negative temperature:

  • use to make a solution hot water. High-quality antiphysic can be added to the water;
  • it is advisable to prepare the sand in advance, keeping it in a heated room;
  • add potash to prevent cracking of the mortar.

Cement is an astringent powder that is used to make masonry and plaster solutions, as well as creating concrete structures(foundations, screeds). To properly mix the composition with sand and water, you need to accurately calculate their proportions. If you violate the cooking technology, then it will turn out to be too skinny or greasy, it will crack or crumble.

Depend on destination. For laying bricks and plaster, compositions with different ratios of sand and cement are required. Water is used only clean - drinking, rain, but in no case lake or sea. If it is clogged, then mold will appear on the masonry or plaster over time. Crushed stone, sawdust or slag can also be used as a filler.

To increase plasticity, special plasticizers or liquid soap are added. Their quantity should not exceed 5% -10% of the volume of cement. If there is more, then the adhesive characteristics of the composition will decrease. To improve resistance to low temperatures or moisture, special additives are also introduced (according to the instructions indicated by their manufacturer).

It is necessary to prepare all tools and components, since the mixtures begin to set after 45 minutes, unless additives or fast-setting Portland cement are used. If water is poured into the solution after it has solidified, all of it specifications will become much worse.

Sift cement powder and sand through a sieve to remove debris and lumps. If the sand is wet, then it is better to dry it in advance. If dirty, rinse and leave to dry completely. Otherwise, due to excess moisture, it will violate the water-cement ratio, and the composition will turn out to be liquid.

The main rule that must always be observed when mixing is uniformity. All components must be thoroughly mixed. The presence of lumps will reduce performance, including strength.

You can dilute the solution in any container. The main thing is that there should be more than the prepared amount of the mixture, then during mixing it will not splash out. For this purpose, you can use a bath, basin or bucket. For mixing, a shovel, trowel, drill with a special mixer nozzle or a concrete mixer are used.

The sequence of mixing depends on the method of preparation - manually or using a concrete mixer. If they are diluted by the first method, then the measured proportions of the components are poured one at a time, first sand, then cement and water. If a concrete mixer is used, then water is poured, and then the remaining elements are added.

The mixing time is 5 minutes. It is necessary to ensure that the mixture is homogeneous, without lumps. Density depends on the intended use. If you plan to use additives, then they are diluted in advance (if allowed by their manufacturer).

Component proportions

The ratio of sand, cement and water depends on the purpose of use. The following types may be involved:

1. For plaster. The proportion of preparation is as follows - 1 part of cement, 3 parts of sand. Water is poured in as much as the powder. If the solution will be used indoors, then the minimum brand of binder is M150-M200. M300 is used for facade work. To make the mixture more plastic and to be able to apply it in a thin layer, lime is added, but not more than half of the volume of sand.

2. For laying bricks. Proportion of components: 1 part of powder, 4 hours of sand. Water is taken half of the volume of the binder, brand - M300-M400. Additionally, you can add lime (slaked) - 30% of the amount of powder, as well as 50 g of liquid soap to make the composition more plastic. The sequence of preparation - water is poured, then cement without mixing with sand, then the rest of the fillers. The mixture is considered to be properly mixed if it does not run off a plane inclined at an angle of 40°.

3. For foundations. The components should be diluted in the following ratio: 1 part of cement, 2 hours of sand and 4 hours of crushed stone or other large filler. Water is taken half of the binder M500, the minimum brand is M400. It is best to dilute such a composition in a concrete mixer, since it will be difficult to manually achieve a homogeneous and uniform consistency, especially if large volumes.

4. Concrete screed. In this case, only high grades are used - from M400, the proportion is 1 to 3. Water is taken half of the volume of the binder.

5. Ironing. The ratio of sand and cement is the same. Lime is added in the amount of 10% of the amount of binder.

The brand of cement should be 2 or 3 times the brand of mortar. If it is necessary to mix the M300 composition, then the M150-M200 powder is used, but no less. For laying bricks, you will need M50-M100, plastering - M50-M100, concrete screed- M100-M200, foundation - M200-M300.

Do not take cement that has been stored open for a long time. Even packaged powder loses some of its strength after 2 months from the date of manufacture. Old cement can only be used for those jobs where it will not be subjected to stress or be in aggressive conditions. In this case, to increase the grade of the solution, it is necessary to increase the proportion of the powder.

When kneading the mixture, it is not recommended to pour in the entire volume of water at once, but only most of it, approximately 85%, then the rest is introduced. To properly pour liquid soap without foaming, it is diluted in advance and allowed to stand for several minutes, during which time the foam will disappear. After it is slowly poured in and stirred for another 5 minutes.

Cement-sand mortar should be diluted at a temperature not lower than +5°C. When kneading in a concrete mixer, it will turn out much better than with manual way. The finished composition must be used immediately after manufacture. To improve the thermal insulation characteristics, part of the sand can be replaced with perlite. If you need to mix a large volume, then it is better to first make a test batch, and make sure that the ratio of components is correctly selected. In order not to be mistaken in proportions, it is recommended to purchase a special dispenser.

Comments:

Until now, no construction or repair is complete without the use of cement. Deciding how to cook cement mortar, you must first consider that used for brickwork, floor screed or finishing walls and ceilings can differ significantly both in composition and in the method of preparation.

In the manufacture of a concrete mixture, cement serves as an astringent that ensures its solidification.

The main components of cement mortar

There are two types of mortar - cement and concrete. Despite the similarity in the components (in addition to the three common components, crushed stone or gravel is additionally added to concrete) and the method of preparation, these are two completely different products designed to solve different construction problems.

A classic cement mortar consists of only three components mixed together in a certain proportion: cement, sand and water. The cement must be dry and free from hard lumps. It is best to use river sand, although in practice they often take ordinary, quarry sand, but they pre-screen it to separate debris and impurities.

To mix the mixture, it is better to use clean water having room temperature or a little warmer - 21-23 ° C.

The optimal proportions are: 1 part cement to 3 parts sand. Water is added to the prepared cement mortar as needed, its amount can vary from 80 to 95% of the volume of cement used (i.e., 8 to 9.5 liters of water should be consumed per 10 liters of cement).

With such a solution, you can both expel brickwork and perform plaster work. However, it has a number of disadvantages - excessive rigidity and limited time (1-1.5 hours) for using the prepared solution, which makes it difficult to work with it.

Therefore, professional builders prefer to add various substances to its composition when preparing a cement mortar, making it more plastic and extending its hardening time by 2-3 times. The most common way to improve such a mixture is to add milk of lime to its composition.

Such a mixture has almost the same binding abilities as a pure cement mortar, but its use time increases to 3-4 hours.

The second option is to prepare a cement solution with the addition a small amount detergent - at the rate of 50-100 g for every 10 liters of the mixture (depending on the quality of the detergent).

This additive can significantly increase its plasticity.

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Mortar grades and their use

Like the vast majority building materials, the prepared cement mortar also has its own marking. There are solutions M10, M25, M50, M75, M100, M125, M150, M200, M250, M300, but in private construction grades from M75 to M150 are usually used.

The marking of the finished mortar does not depend directly on the brand of cement used for its preparation, as most non-professionals mistakenly believe. In fact, a mixture of the same brand can be prepared from different brands of cement.

For example, a mixture of M100 can be obtained from cement M300, M400, M500, and in all cases the amount of cement used for its preparation will be the same. But the amount of sand changes: when using cement M300, the ratio of sand and cement will be 3:1; when using M400 - 4: 1; and when using the M500 - 5: 1.

When using cement mortar, professional builders advise using the composition of the same brand as the material used for construction. Those. if a concrete mortar M75 is used to pour the foundation, then a cement mixture of the same brand must be used to screed the basement. If brick M100 is used to extrude walls, then the mixture for masonry must correspond to this brand.

But in practice this is not always possible. For example, using an M300 brick when distilling walls, it makes no sense to take a solution of the same brand for laying it - it is difficult to work with such a solution, and the financial costs for its manufacture are very large. Quite suitable for the operation of the brand in the range from M100 to M150. In practice, such masonry is most often performed using a mixture of sand and cement M400 in a ratio of 3.5: 1, i.e. approximately M115.

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How to make a cement mortar

There are several ways to prepare a quality cement mixture. But, regardless of the method chosen, tools will be needed for its preparation:

  • container for mixing components;
  • shovel;
  • trowel;
  • buckets.

The most common classical method of preparing a mixture is that cement and sand are first mixed dry until a homogeneous composition is obtained, and then this mixture is diluted to the desired consistency with water. Water should not be added all at once, but 80-85% of the required amount, and already in the process of preparing the mixture, gradually add it to the composition, achieving the desired density.

Especially this rule should be observed if not a pure cement-sand mixture is being prepared, but a cement-lime mixture. In this case, you first need to prepare liquid lime by diluting the lime dough with water to a state of thin sour cream. Then the solution is prepared in the same way as in the first version, but instead of the missing water, milk of lime is added to it at the final stage.

The second method was invented by craftsmen for preparing the solution by hand. In fact, it is almost a mirror image of the first: first, water is poured into the container (approximately 4/5 of the required amount), then liquid soap or other detergent is added to it. After that, the water must be vigorously shaken for 4-5 minutes so that the detergent is completely dissolved in it and forms the maximum amount of foam.

Then half of the required volume of sand and the entire volume of cement are poured into the container. After that, all components are mixed with each other. Special care in mixing at this stage is not yet required, the main thing is that as a result the mixture is more or less homogeneous in composition. Then the missing sand is added to the mixture, and here negligence in mixing is already unacceptable - you need to knead until the mixture becomes homogeneous. The presence in it of areas of clean, without cement, sand is unacceptable.

The main advantage of this method is that in the liquid state sand and cement are mixed much faster and better than in the dry state. But in order to properly make a cement mortar, at the end of preparation, you need to gradually add the missing water, bringing the solution to the desired density.

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Little tricks when preparing the solution

Despite the apparent simplicity of the process, even experienced builders are not always able to immediately prepare the cement mortar correctly. Therefore, the prepared solution is divided into 3 types:

  • skinny;
  • normal;
  • fatty.

To determine the type of prepared mixture, no special tools are needed. It is enough to pull out the shovel used for mixing from it or (in the case of a concrete mixer) slightly stir the finished mixture with a trowel. If the working surface of the tool remains almost clean, then the prepared mixture is lean, because it lacks a binder - cement. If the entire surface of the tool is hidden under a layer of the prepared mixture, then there is too much cement in the latter, it is greasy.

Only a normal solution is suitable for work, in which the proportions of cement, sand and water are correctly maintained. If the solution turned out to be lean, then cement should be poured into it, and if it is greasy, add sand and water, bringing it to a normal state. It is necessary to add the components little by little, otherwise it costs nothing to turn a lean solution into a greasy one and vice versa.

Initially, water should always be poured a little less than the norm.

The fact is that its amount depends on the absorbency of sand - dry sand absorbs water much more than wet sand. Therefore, pouring it according to the norm and filling it with slightly damp sand, you risk getting a liquid solution.