"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message
...
wrote:
Greetings,

I was told by a friend that you should always put a small amount of
liquid dish detergent into your concrete or stucco mix to make it more
workable with less water.

a) Does it actually make the mixture more workable?
b) Does it decrease the strength or increase the strength due to the
need for less water?
c) How much should you put in?
d) Anything else I should know? Perhaps it is against city code
because it isn't an "approved admixture", etc?

Just hoping for some verification or denial.

Thanks!

PS: I understand that you can purchase superplasticisers but that is
beyond the scope of many small projects such as rebuilding steps,
stuccoing a framed in porch, etc.

Somehow I get the feeling this is a poor idea. I don't think anyone
will be able to answer authoritatively as I doubt if anyone has, or will,
try it.

BTW the amount of water in the mix is not, or should not, be dependent
on desired workability, There are specific ratios and messing with them
will reduce the strength of the final product. Water becomes part of the
concrete. With a proper mix very little evaporates.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit

there are additives that replace the water that affect the workability of
the concrete and affect the time for setting.

http://www.concretenetwork.com/concr..._reduction.htm

regards,
charlie
cave creek, az