How to make a stove at home. How to make paving slabs with your own hands: manufacturing technology

concrete tiles for tracks and platforms today it is used everywhere. However, its price does not always match the quality. Purchased specimens often do not withstand repeated freezing cycles and crack after 2-3 years. To provide yourself with high-quality paving stones, you need to learn how to make paving slabs with your own hands. The process does not require the purchase of expensive equipment and materials. The main thing is to understand the production technology, choose the shape and knead the “correct” solution.

The manufacturing technology of paving slabs is quite simple. However, there are many nuances that must be taken into account when planning to organize the production process.

Facing the site with paving slabs

Vibrocasting or vibropressing: the choice of method

The process of creating paving slabs has two main directions: vibrocompression and vibrocasting. Technologically, they are characterized by some differences, which affects the characteristics of the finished product.

The first method involves using expensive equipment– vibrating press and heat chamber. The solution with a small amount of water is fed into the mold, compacted, subjected to pressure and vibration. After that, the blanks enter the drying chamber. At elevated temperatures and high humidity, the slabs gain strength sufficient for laying in places with intense traffic.

The technology of vibrocasting involves the compaction of the working mixture under vibration - the solution is evenly distributed over the form and compacted. The filled molds are moved to drying racks, and the finished tile is removed two days later.

Vibrocompression of paving slabs

Making paving slabs at home is possible only by vibrocasting. For work, you can use inexpensive tools and equipment, and make a vibrating table with your own hands.

The production cycle consists of the following stages:

Mold preparation.
Mixing concrete mix.
Molding on a vibrating table.
Exposure and drying in forms - about two days.
Stripping tiles.

Important! Tiles made using “vibration technology” are optimally suited for shaping garden paths and paths. It is not suitable for a parking lot, as it is inferior in terms of strength characteristics to pressed products.

Homemade vibrocast paving stones

Equipment and tools for organizing the process

The expediency of acquiring this or that equipment depends on the expected scale of production of paving slabs at home. However, for work you will need:

Forms. The construction market offers a wide range of molds for home and mass production of paving stones. The material of the form determines the convenience and durability of its use:
- silicone models - the creation of complex structural surfaces, the form will withstand 50 cycles;
- plastic - simplicity of ornament, strength and durability - designed for 800 production cycles;
- polyurethane forms - hold the "geometry" of the tile well, the service life is 100 cycles.

Rack and shed for drying. The place for "setting" of concrete must meet a number of requirements:
- horizontal racks - distortions of the base of the forms are unacceptable;
- finding the site in the shade - hit sun rays fraught with cracking of finished products;
- the presence of a canopy that protects from rain.

Important! The minimum allowable temperature for natural drying of paving slabs is +10°С.

The variety of forms for the production of tiles

For work, you will need additional equipment: a bucket, a shovel, a level and rubber gloves.

Instructions for creating molds for tiles

At home, you can create a mold for paving slabs with your own hands from wood, plastic, gypsum or improvised means.

Option 1. Making a wooden mold from boards and plywood:

Cut out two parts from the board, the length of which is 3 cm higher than the edges of the tile itself, and the height is 2 cm more.
Two more details must exactly match the dimensions of the tile.
Fasten the boards with iron corners - you need to screw in the screws, which can be easily removed after the concrete has hardened.

Advice. When pouring the solution into a wooden form, it is desirable to lay reinforcing mesh in the middle of the tile thickness.

Wooden removable molds

Option 2. The easiest way to create a mold is to cut off the bottom of a 5-liter plastic bottle.

The height will determine the thickness of the paving slabs. In addition, as simple shapes waste plastic containers and packaging will do. If you lay a patterned mesh or leaf on the bottom before pouring, then the front side will acquire a relief surface.

Plastic molds for paving slabs

Option 3. Creating a plaster template:

Prepare the gypsum mixture and an approximate cladding element, such as a textured ceramic tile with a protruding pattern.
Make a formwork out of wood according to the shape of the workpiece and insert a tile into it.
Treat the template with grease - this will prevent plaster from sticking.
Dilute gypsum with water, adding a little plasticizer.
Pour the resulting mass into the form.
After a day, remove the formwork and remove the tiles.

Homemade plaster template for tiles

The disadvantage of the gypsum template is fragility. When hit or dropped, there is a high probability that the form will crack.

Option 4. Having the skills to work on welding machine, it will turn out to make a metal structure of a simple shape from pieces of reinforcement or rails. “Cut out” strips of metal 5 cm wide according to the dimensions of the future tile and weld them together. Provide handles for ease of use.

Metal hexagon shape

High-quality mortar is the basis for the durability of plates

The composition of the mortar for paving slabs includes:

cement;
large and small filler;
dye;
plasticizer;
fiberglass;
water.

Quality cement does not contain lumps

The components are combined in a strict dosage, and certain requirements are imposed on each component.

The manufacturing technology of paving slabs at home or in production involves the use of Portland cement grade M 500 (minimum - M 400). An important condition is the quality and "freshness" of the cement. When buying, you need to check the production date (every month the composition loses 5% of its properties), the absence of lumps and flowability.

Advice. The express test will help determine the quality of the cement. Knead the cement dough in alkaline mineral water and roll it into a thin disk. Good cement will dry in a few minutes. If it took about an hour to dry, and the disk became covered with cracks, then the composition is supplemented with foreign impurities and low-quality binder.

Sand and gravel - mortar fillers

As a large filler, pure granite screenings, pebbles or slag are used. Fine filler - quarry or river sand without clay and impurities. If, after being compressed in a fist, the sand retains the shape of a coma, this indicates a high content of clay components.

The choice of plasticizer for the manufacture of the mixture

Plasticizer for paving slabs, due to its high dispersion ability, regulates the viscosity of the mixture, increasing the strength, wear resistance and moisture resistance of the product. Experts recommend adding brand components to the solution: Plastimix F, Master Silk, "Component". The "Superplasticizer C-3" has proven itself to be excellent.

Fiberglass is used to reinforce the concrete solution. Suitable polypropylene fiber Micronix 12 mm, crushed fiberglass or basalt fiber MicronixBazalt 12 mm.

Important! The length of the fiber should not exceed the size of the coarse filler in the concrete mix.

Types of fiber used

The optimal proportions of mortar for paving slabs are indicated in the table.

The ratio of components in solution

The nuances of tinting homemade paving stones

Mineral and organic pigments are selected for coloring tiles. Artificial colors based on minerals have a high coloring power, resistance to chemicals and temperature extremes. Natural pigments allow you to achieve muted natural shades.

Before you make paving slabs, you need to decide on the method of tinting it:

coloring of the finished product;
adding dye to the raw mass.

Tinting paving slabs

The first method is quite laborious, since high-quality painting takes a lot of time. To speed up the process, you can use a spray gun, but in this case it is difficult to achieve uniform staining.

The second way is more costly. Dry dyes that provide a water-repellent coating are expensive, and to achieve a durable and rich color you will need to add about 7% by weight of concrete. Therefore, many craftsmen and manufacturers use the two-layer pouring method.

The prepared form is half filled with colored concrete, and on top - colorless. It is important that the interval between fillings is no more than 20 minutes. In addition to saving, this method increases strength characteristics paving stones.

Step-by-step production of tiles by vibration shrinkage

We will analyze in stages how to make paving slabs at home using vibrocasting technology. For the manufacture of paving stones, you will need to build a simple vibrating table.

Scheme of manufacturing a vibrating table

Construction of a vibrating table from improvised means

The vibrating table has a design that is easy to manufacture and maintain.

To create it, you will need the following materials:

sheet steel 5-10 mm thick - under the countertop;
metal corner 5 * 5 cm - to create bumpers on the table;
channel with holes for fixing the motor;
pipes 4 * 4 cm 2 mm thick - support posts;
pipes 4 * 2 cm - for the manufacture of upper crossbars;
metal plates - the formation of the base of the supports;
springs providing vibration;
bolts and washers for fixing the engine;
electric motor (IV-99E, IV-98E) with a power of 0.5-0.9 kW;
electric cable, switch, socket.

Manufacturing sequence:

Preparing the mold and mixing the solution

Before filling, the form must be lubricated with a special emulsion ("Lirossin", "Emulsol") or use their substitutes:

soap solution;
vegetable oil;
engine oil.

Advice. It is undesirable to lubricate the form with saline - it leaves stains on the surface of the product, and the template itself quickly deteriorates.

The solution is mixed in a certain sequence in compliance with temporary recommendations:

First, sand, plasticizer and dye are mixed. The kneading time is 30-40 seconds.
Crushed stone and cement are added to the dry mix. With this composition, the concrete mixer works for another minute.
Then water is gradually introduced until a sufficiently dense consistency is obtained.
The final stage is the addition of fiber and re-kneading for one minute.

Adding Mortar Components to the Concrete Mixer

A do-it-yourself tile mix should not flow down the trowel, but at the same time it should be easy to fill the mold.

Vibrocasting and drying of paving slabs

Paving stone forming technology:

Put the greased molds on a vibrating table and pour the solution into them.
Turn on vibration mode for 5 minutes.
If a white film appears on the surface of the mixture, turn off the engine. Excessive shaking may cause separation of the solution.
Rearrange the blanks on racks, cover with plastic wrap and leave for 2-3 days. Be sure to check the evenness of the surface of the racks. If the tile dries on a slope, it will not be possible to lay it evenly on the path.

Demoulding homemade paving slabs

Demoulding of the finished product and cleaning of molds

When the concrete sets, the tile can be removed from the mold. To facilitate removal, the mold with filling is lowered into a container with water heated to 60°-70°C. Five minutes later, the finished product is knocked out with a rubber mallet on soft surface- you can spread the old bedspread.

The “raw” tile is dried on the same racks for another 7 days, then it is folded into pallets and gains final hardness after a month. Only after that the material is ready for lining the tracks.

Pour the spent forms with saline solution (30 grams of table salt per 1 liter of water), clean, rinse and dry.

paving slabs with river rocks

Decorative tiles with stone: master class

On a suburban area, paving stones look beautiful in landscape style using river stones. simple technology making paving slabs with your own hands, the available composition of the mixture and natural materials allow you to realize the idea in your country house.

When the composition is ready, press the stones into the solution.
Cover the molds with cellophane and leave to dry for four days. Twice a day, water the blanks.
When the tile begins to move away from the formwork, the product can be removed and dried without a mold.

Creation of composition and tamping of stones

Making paving slabs with your own hands is a fascinating process. Guided step by step instructions, it will be possible to create an original and high-quality product, designed for a long service life in the yard or garden. If there is no certainty of success, it is worth studying the topic more deeply by consulting with experts.

Ideal for paving paths and playgrounds. Such a coating does not gas like asphalt, does not crack when the soil heaves and does not collect puddles on itself.

Another important advantage: it will significantly reduce the cost of construction work.

There are two ways to make paving slabs:

vibrocompression. It includes two stages: molding the mixture in a vibropress under the influence of vibration and pressure and drying in a heat chamber under conditions of elevated temperature and humidity. Tiles made using this method are highly durable and suitable for use in places with a significant load;
vibrocasting. The compaction of the solution is carried out only due to vibration, for which the forms are set to. Drying - in natural conditions.

Equipment for vibrocompression is expensive and therefore this method is not suitable for a home workshop. The vibrating table can be made independently, so that adjustment in artisanal production conditions by vibration casting will not require serious costs.

Vibro-cast tiles are suitable for areas with light foot traffic. But for the device of the automobile platform, its strength is no longer enough.

Necessary tools and materials

For production you will need:

concrete mixer. In extreme cases, you can replace it with a powerful drill with a mixer nozzle;
vibrating table. How to make it yourself - is described below;
. Sold in stores, but you can;
building level: they control the horizontality of the vibrating table and racks for drying. When skewed, the tile will turn out uneven;
shovel, trowel, bucket;
brush.

Materials used:

cement. Sulfate-resistant (with a reduced content of 3-calcium aluminates) Portland cement grade not lower than M400 is used. Suitable PTSII / A-Sh-400. The preferred color is white: gray looks messy when stained. The date of production is important: 3-month-old cement, even with proper storage, loses 20% of its strength, 6-month-old - 30%, annual - 40%;
filler: large - granite screenings, pebbles or slag 3 - 5 mm in size; fine - sifted clean river or quarry sand with fineness modulus. The purity of the sand is checked by trying to make a lump out of it: if it works, the material contains a lot of clay inclusions;
pure water. In terms of quality, in most cases, ordinary tap water is suitable;
plasticizer. Makes concrete durable, moisture and wear resistant. Good feedback Received "Superplasticizer S-3" from tile manufacturers. Also used are the compositions of the brands "Component", Master Silk, Plastimax F.

The function of reinforcement is performed by:

crushed fiberglass;
polypropylene fiber Micronix 12 mm;
basalt fiber MicronixBazalt 12 mm.

To give the tiles the desired color, dyes are used:

mineral: give bright color, resistant to chemical attack and temperature extremes;
organic: give soft, natural shades.

Paving slabs are painted in two ways:

surface. Dry dye is rubbed into the surface of still wet modules or painted with a solution using an airbrush. The method gives a bright color, but is labor intensive. In addition, as abrasion and chipping, the tile loses color;
volume. The dye is added to the solution during mixing, in the amount of 7% by weight of dry substances, which, due to the high cost, is associated with costs.

In order to save money, the modules are poured in two layers: first, a third or a half - with colored concrete, then the rest - colorless. The maximum admissible time interval between fillings of layers - 20 min.

Production cycle

The tile manufacturing process includes the following steps:

preparation of the solution in strict accordance with the recipe;
laying in forms with vibration compaction (performed on a vibrating table);
hardening in forms for about 2 days;
stripping (removal of castings from molds);
holding until complete curing.

Preparation of molds for the production of vibrocast products

Forms are purchased in the store (the most durable) or made independently.

Homemade are of two types:

simple. Represent a 4-coal or 6-coal frame made of wooden bars or metal profiles. The form is left without a bottom - just install it on a rubber mat covered with plastic wrap;
curly.

Figured forms are made of plastic materials in the following way:

check the horizontal level of the table for work;
knock together formwork from wooden bars;
a sample tile is laid in it: it is purchased or made of wood / gypsum;
gypsum, molten plastic, polyurethane or silicone are poured into the formwork.

Plastic material will repeat the contours and relief of the sample tile.

The smallest details reproduce silicone and polyurethane. But on the other hand, plastic surpasses them in resource (more modules can be made from one form). Before pouring concrete, the form is lubricated from the inside to prevent the solution from sticking.

With an excess of fat in the lubricant, shells will appear in the tile, with a lack, the solution will stick to the mold. Therefore, it is important to use either special formulations (Emulsol, Lirossin), or prepare the lubricant yourself according to a proven recipe.

For example, for a plastic mold, the product is prepared as follows:

50 g of engine oil is poured into 1.5 liters of water;
shake the mixture long and thoroughly until it becomes an emulsion.

Mixing concrete composition

The ingredients for the solution are taken in such quantities:

cement: 21%;
granite screening: 23%;
sand: 56%;
plasticizer: 0.5-0.7% by weight of dry matter (m.s.v.);
dye: 2 to 7% w.m. (the more, the brighter and more durable the color will turn out);
fiberglass: 0.05% w.m.s.;
water: 5.5% w.m. or 70% of the volume of cement.

As you can see, the solution is prepared semi-dry: only 2 buckets of water are poured into 3 buckets of cement. This is a feature of vibrolaying: the solution in the form will even seem liquid.

Cooking process:

dissolve the plasticizer in hot water (70-80 0 C). Approximate ratio: 1 liter per 200 g of powder. It is important to stir thoroughly, because the plasticizer is fed little by little;
dye is dissolved in water with a temperature of 40-50 0 C. Approximate ratio: 3 liters per 800 g of powder. When calculating the required amount of water, one should take into account the liquid contained in the dye and plasticizer solutions;
lubricate the concrete mixer by twisting the liquid cement mortar in it for several minutes (then it is poured out).

After that, the components are loaded into a working concrete mixer in the following sequence:

a fifth of water;
cement and sand;
coarse aggregate (when cement in water forms an emulsion or, in everyday language, milk);
solutions of plasticizer and dye;
the remaining water;
fiberglass.

Do not overmix with stirring as the water evaporates. Mix for 1 to 3 minutes.

In a small concrete mixer (less than 0.5 m 3), the ingredients can be fed as follows:

sand and half gravel: interfere with 30 - 40 seconds;
cement: all together interfere for another 1 minute;
the entire volume of water provided for by the recipe, including solutions of plasticizer and dye;

Then the remaining crushed stone and fiber are added, and the last mixing is performed for 1 minute.

Shaping, curing and stripping

Forms are filled with a solution and installed on a working vibrating table. Approximate time of vibrolaying - 5 min. The solution level drops due to compaction, so it has to be topped up.

When white foam appears, the vibrating table is turned off: this indicates the release of all air from the solution, further vibro-laying will lead to its delamination. Forms are installed on a rack and covered with polyethylene.

After a day or two, the castings are removed (formwork stripping): having laid a cover, they are knocked out of the mold with light blows of a rubber hammer. If they come out badly, molds for 5 minutes. immersed in water with a temperature of 60-70 0 C.

Forms before the next use are washed with saline (it is better to soak them in it for a while), prepared at the rate of 30 g of salt per 1 liter of water.

Making a vibrating table with your own hands

As a vibrating table, you can use a washing machine - an automatic machine turned on in the spin mode.

A simple version of the table for 1-2 forms is done like this:

lay a car tire horizontally;
top - steel sheet up to 10 mm thick;
a jigsaw is screwed to the sheet.

A more complex version is made in the form of a table from a sheet of the same thickness and a rolled profile:

frame is cooked. The legs are strengthened with crossbars, bosses are welded on top. A shelf is mounted at the bottom of the frame;
springs are put on the bosses;
glasses are welded at the points of contact of the table top with spring supports. The finished structure is freely installed on elastic elements;
an engine with an eccentric is mounted on the lower shelf of the frame. A unit with a power of 500-900 W is suitable, for example, IV-98E or IV-99E.

You can use the engine from washing machine. It is not designed for mass production, but when replacing bushings and standard bearings with reinforced type bearings, the resource will increase significantly.

What can ruin the finished product?

In order not to spoil the tile, it is important to observe the following conditions:

the rack for storing castings before stripping is set in a strictly horizontal position according to the level;
castings are protected from direct sunlight;
rapid evaporation of moisture is excluded: castings are covered with polyethylene, there are no drafts in the storage area. Water reacts with cement, therefore, with its lack, concrete loses its strength. In hot weather, castings are periodically sprayed with water.

Under these conditions and subject to the recipe, home-made tiles are not inferior in strength to factory ones.

Advantages and disadvantages of paving slabs made using different technologies

The table shows that paving slabs produced by vibrocompression are better in all respects than self-made ones. Let's add here the exact geometric shapes, so it's easier to work with such a tile. Although she has one drawback - it is difficult to cut such a stone, it is too strong.

Step-by-step instructions for making paving slabs with your own hands at home

First of all, you need to choose a form for paving slabs, which, as already mentioned, has different sizes, traditionally - this is a size of 500 × 500 × 50 mm. Let's deal with this form. But first we will indicate from which solution the product will be poured.

Most often, the recipe consists of several standard components:

cement M500;
a mixture of crushed stone and sand in a ratio of 1: 1, where crushed stone of a fraction of 5–10 mm is used;
pigment;
plasticizer.

As for the latter, the market today offers a huge range. These are both dry additives and liquid ones. The main thing is to accurately maintain the concentration of the plasticizer relative to. The dry additive is added to the solution in a ratio of 0.7% by weight of the cement.

To prepare the solution at home, you will need a conventional construction mixer. You can knead in a bucket, taking into account the volume of the required solution, so that it is enough for the manufacture of tiles located on the vibrating table. For example, if only four tiles fit on the table, then the minimum amount of batch should be enough to fill four forms.

A photo	Description of works
	Cement mortar is laid out in forms.
	The vibrator turns on. Under the action of vibration, the solution inside the mold begins to take on its dimensions.
	If necessary, the solution is added to the molds.
	As soon as the solution completely fills the internal space of the mold, the equipment can be turned off.
	The next step is drying. This process can be done naturally. It is impossible for the rays of the sun to fall on the tile, it is good if the room is ventilated. It is even better if the process is carried out on the street under a canopy. The main task is the horizontal arrangement of molds filled with cement mortar.
	The last stage is disassembly. The form with the tile is turned over and the edges of the form and corners begin to be bent, gradually removing it completely.

Do-it-yourself step-by-step instructions for laying paving slabs

With the seeming simplicity of laying tiles, paving stones or with your own hands, this is actually a process that requires a special approach. Therefore, knowing the nuances will help to carry out the installation correctly.

A photo	Description of works
	Sod is removed, on which paving slabs will be laid.
	Curbs are exposed that will form the boundaries of the sidewalk or platform. They are installed on a sand-cement mixture. Required condition- setting each curb horizontally, for which a long rule is used.
	Paving slabs are laid on sand, so it is necessary to fill the space between the curbs with this bulk material. The sand must be compacted well. Please note that the thickness of the applied layer should fill the space so that there is room for laying the tiles in height flush with the curbs.
	Now a mixture of sand and cement is being prepared in a ratio of 1: 5, which is poured over a sand cushion. Paving slabs will be laid on it. This layer must be leveled and compacted to prevent subsidence of the tiles.
	You can start styling. It is better to do this from the corner of the site.
	They laid the tile, knocked on it with a mallet to press down the flooring.
	A prerequisite is to check each laid element for horizontality. For this, the building level is used.

Thus, the entire platform or sidewalk is assembled, all the elements of the flooring must be checked by the level among themselves.

Attention! Even at the stage of backfilling the sand cushion, care must be taken to finishing was a bit skewed. This is done so that rain or melt water does not stagnate in the finished area.

We also suggest that you familiarize yourself with the video - how to properly lay paving slabs.

And two more points:

If possible, the laid material should be compacted using a vibrating table.
Between the elements it is necessary to sprinkle a mixture of sand and cement in a ratio of 1: 1, which will fill the gaps between the tiles. This will give stability to the entire structure.

Alternative Technology

Today it is possible to solve the problem of finishing sidewalks and platforms more in a simple way. To do this, you will have to purchase a special form, consisting of several cells that form paving slabs. In this case, we are not talking about vibrocasting, because the mortar is poured at the place where the tiles are installed. That is, right on the tracks or playgrounds. But this paving slab laying technology also belongs to the “do-it-yourself” category, because the elements themselves will be poured directly by the owner of the site.

Formwork, which is sold specifically for this technology, does not determine the size of paving slabs, because there is a huge assortment in terms of a variety of shapes. To understand what we are talking about, look at the photo. Although we must pay tribute that cells can also be geometric shapes: rectangles, ovals, circles, and others.

The technology itself in terms of preparation is carried out in exactly the same way as described above with the laying of the finished product. That is, a sand base is being prepared, curbs are being installed. After that, the form is laid in place, leveled, and cement mortar is poured into it. After two days, disbanding takes place. As you can see, it takes two days to dry, which means that in order to increase the speed of work, you will have to purchase several forms.

500 × 200 × 50 - curb.83

300x300x50 - Florida grey.56

500 × 500 × 50 - 12 bricks.140

We add that paving slabs from the manufacturer are not only a material made from cement mortar. This and ceramic tiles in the form of bricks, the manufacture of which is impossible with your own hands. The model of such an element called Lode Brunis brown color and dimensions 200 × 100 × 52 mm costs 45 rubles. The price of cement paving slabs with dimensions of 400 × 400 × 40 mm is 65 rubles.

How to check the finished tile for quality

It is almost impossible to visually determine whether a tile is of high quality or not. But there are some tricks that will help you choose more or less high-quality material:

Tap on it. If the sound is sonorous, then the density of the tile is high. Accordingly, the strength is at the proper level, the product is well dried.
A bright color is a sign of a large amount of pigments added. And they lower the quality characteristics of the material.
If on the cut the color is located only in the upper part of the product, then it is likely that the color will fade or fade over time. The pigment should be evenly distributed over the entire body of the tile.
The absence of bubbles and cracks is also a sign of quality.
The presence of a certificate indicates that production is established according to standards or specifications that are registered with government agencies.

So, we have analyzed the topic of production and laying of paving slabs. If you have any questions, we are ready to answer them. Contact us in the comments.

Now it has become very fashionable to lay out paths and recreation areas with paving slabs, however, not everyone is able to purchase ready-made material due to its high cost. It is possible to make this finishing material on one's own. In addition, it is possible to make tiles according to your personal requests and needs.

Making pavement tiles with your own hands has many advantages, since the finished product: has original design, can be absolutely any color, strong enough and hardy. The production of pavement tiles is considered to be quite a complex and time-consuming process, especially given the lack of experience in its manufacture. In addition to preparing molds and tools, it is important to correctly calculate the proportions of the solution for pouring.

There are only two types of manufacturing of these products, namely, vibrocompression and vibrocasting.

The manufacture of tiles by vibrocompression involves the use of a thick cement mixture with the addition of a small amount of water. The manufacture of tiles by vibropressing implies the preparation of a mixture in a vibropress. For homemade tiles most suitable method of vibrocasting. To produce tiles using this method, you will need a concrete mixer, a vibrating table and molds for casting.

Paving slabs are considered simply ideal option for landscaping and country house. Its affordable cost and ease of installation make this material ideal for creating beautiful and comfortable walking paths. This coating has long been considered one of the most beautiful and durable. However, due to the high cost of the finished tile, not many people decide to purchase it. To ennoble your summer cottage or country house, you can make tiles yourself. To make a tile yourself, you first need to prepare the mixture, observing all the required proportions. The recipe for the mixture is quite simple, however, you definitely need to know which components to add and what proportions should be.

To make a mixture you need to take:

Astringent components;
Water;
placeholders;
Special additives;
Dye.

Cement is used as a binder. The brand of cement is selected depending on the degree of compressive strength of the component. It is best that the brand of cement is M500. The aggregate can be sand and gravel, or just clean sand is used.

As special additives, a plasticizer or dispersant is used. These mineral additives must be used, as they increase frost resistance and give products greater strength. In addition, they increase the elasticity of the finished tile and give its surface a beautiful glossy sheen.

In the production of tiles, a dye is definitely needed, since with its proper use, the durability and attractiveness of the finished product increases. IN percentage the amount of dyes used should be no more than 4-5% of the total mass of the concrete mixture.

The dyes used should preferably be lightfast, resistant to adverse weather conditions, and insoluble in water. When preparing a concrete mix, it is imperative to distribute the dye evenly. The recipe for preparing a mixture for tiles varies depending on the requirements for the resulting product.

The optimal composition of the mortar for paving slabs

When making tiles on your own, it is important not only to make the product correctly, but also to determine the composition of the solution, which is often quite difficult to do. When preparing a solution, factors such as the type of raw materials used, as well as the conditions for pouring and drying products, must be taken into account. Before you start making tiles, you need to prepare the ingredients, a vibrating table with a perfectly flat surface and shape.

Sand-cement mixture is made from such components as:

Cement brand M500 white;
Fine river sand;
Granite crushed stone fraction 3-5 mm or screenings;
Water;
Liquid dye;
plasticizer;
Dispersant.

The technology for preparing the mixture is quite simple. Initially, you need to mix the sand well together with cement and the prepared plasticizer, and then add crushed stone, which, if desired, can be replaced with screenings. At the very end, in small portions, you need to pour in the liquid. The consistency of the resulting mortar should be strong enough so that it can be easily held on the trowel, however, the mixture should not crumble or crack when lightly tapped on the mold. The consumption of components largely depends on the required characteristics of the finished product, which is why it is calculated separately. Important! Subject to all the required conditions, you can get high quality paving slabs, which will be distinguished by high strength and durability.

How to make paving slabs at home

The most demanded element for paving tracks in country house or at suburban area, central squares and city streets are considered to be paving slabs or curly paving elements.

The main advantages of FEM are:

Ease of manufacture;
Attractive appearance;
Ease of installation.

The manufacturing technology of the tiles implies that after preparing the mixture, it must be poured into molds located on the vibrating table. Before pouring the mixture, the molds must be lubricated with an oil. The vibration process lasts only a few minutes and its duration depends on the thickness of the tiles.

Excess concrete must be removed with a spatula, and if the mixture sinks heavily in the molds, then you need to add concrete mortar and continue vibrating.

The surface of the mortar is then smoothed out and then the filled molds are transferred to pallets. Depending on the air temperature and size, it is necessary to dry the tiles for 2 to 4 days in a special drying chamber. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain a certain humidity and air temperature. After drying, the molds are placed in an evaporating bath. When carrying out heat-steam treatment, it is necessary to set soft curing modes and the temperature should not exceed 70 ° C. The removal of finished products is carried out on a special table or manually. It is worth remembering that maximum strength occurs only after 28 days.

Do-it-yourself plasticizer for paving slabs

Now there are many options for paving slabs, thanks to the use of special forms in its manufacture and dyes of different colors. Many people prefer to make tiles on their own, but you need to know how many components to take in its production. In addition to the main components, plasticizers are also used.

These substances help:

Improve the quality of manufactured products;
Simplify the process of forming tiles;
Improve the look of the finished product.

In the production of tiles, the plasticizer must be prepared in advance. To do this, dry plasticizer is poured into water heated to 40 ° C in a ratio of 1: 2. Then for 15 minutes the mixture must be mixed using a mixer nozzle. When the solution is ready, it must be left for a while. It is best to prepare the plasticizer in the evening, and in the morning it will only need to be mixed for 15 minutes.

Production of paving slabs (video)

To make the product durable and resistant to negative atmospheric conditions, it is imperative to comply with all the required conditions for the manufacture of tiles and use only high-quality materials.

Every person who has his private house, knows about cement and concrete production technology. Based on this, the manufacture of paving slabs at home will not be an innovation for him.

Since there are several types of manufacturing, for self-manufacturing The vibration casting technique will be the most profitable and simple. In this case, the solution is placed in molds and compacted on a special vibrating table.

Technology of home production of paving slabs

The production technology of paving slabs is very simple. But you need to know some points when planning the production process. To carry out the manufacturing process, you need to know 2 main areas:.

Scheme vibropress

They have some differences from each other. Subsequently, this is reflected in the prepared products.

The technology for making paving slabs at home will require the purchase of an expensive unit, namely: a heat chamber and a vibration process.

The solution with water is poured into the mold, then compacted using vibration and pressure. At the end of these procedures, the workpiece is sent to the drying chamber. The fortress is obtained due to the rather high humidity and temperature, which is great for laying in places with a powerful load.

Making paving slabs with your own hands helps to compact the mixture under vibration, that is, it spreads evenly in shape and is compacted. There is a movement of the form for drying on the racks.

The workpiece is dried in molds

After two days, the finished tile is pulled out.

Vibrocasting at home

Vibrocasting is suitable for the production of paving slabs at home. To do this, you need to purchase inexpensive equipment and tools. As for the vibrating table, it is not difficult to build it yourself. To start making tiles, you must follow these steps:

mold preparation;
mixing the solution;
molding in a vibrating table;
aging and drying in molds;
stripping tiles.

Paving slabs, which were made using vibration technology, are great for garden paths. When it comes to car parking, it is best to use pressed products.

Pressed tiles are best used for laying in car dealerships

Equipment and tools for the manufacture of paving slabs

At the beginning of work, it is necessary to prepare equipment and tools. If a person can make a vibrating table on their own, then a vibropressing machine must be bought ready-made.

Then you need to choose a shape for the tile. According to the standard, it is a square or in the form of a brick. For this type, it is necessary to make formwork from plywood or wood. If we consider the production of paving slabs at home, more complex options, then it is better to use polyurethane or silicone molds. With their help, tiles are obtained, as in a store. It is also possible to make tiles similar to natural stone.

Material for manufacturing

The basis of any technology is concrete. This requires the following components:

water;
cement;
crushed stone;
river sand;
slaked lime or other plasticizer;
additives and colors.

To end up with a homogeneous mass, you need to use additional tools: a concrete mixer or a construction mixer. The first tool is designed for large volumes.

Before preparing concrete, you need to prepare the dye. It is necessary for the manufacture of colored tiles. If ordinary gray paving slabs are made, then the color scheme does not need to be used.

Manufacturing instructions

The walls of the concrete mixer must be slightly damp, so inside it is rinsed with water, and then it is drained. The proportion of water and cement to obtain the required solution must be accurate, otherwise the concrete product will be fragile.

Proportions for the manufacture of paving slabs

Do-it-yourself paving slab production requires mixing half-wet concrete. This is done as follows: water must be 30% less than cement. For example, 2 buckets of water are poured into 3 buckets of cement.

Water is first added to the concrete mixer, and then the required amount of cement. After that, the components must be mixed and brought to a homogeneous mass. Screening is added, then a ready-made solution is obtained. After thorough mixing, slaked lime, previously well mixed, is poured in, as well as a dye, if necessary.

It is necessary to mix until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Mixing the solution is easy to do on your own by hand. This requires good physical preparation, as well as a margin of time.

So that subsequently cleaning and stripping does not bring additional fuss and does not take time, it is necessary to lubricate the form with a special lubricant.

Be sure to lubricate the mold for further easy extraction

The layer thickness must not be too large, as the product will deteriorate due to bubbles. For the successful implementation of the process, it is better to use aerosol lubricants.

Faster and quality tiles do-it-yourself is carried out if a person uses the help of another assistant. It will help to quickly bring the necessary tool or thing.

As for the dye, it must be dissolved in advance in hot water.

It is possible to make paving slabs at home without a vibrating table, only in this case the quality will not work.

After the molds are filled with the solution on the vibrating table, they must be removed and placed on the rack. Freezing occurs within 2 days. When heat sets in, molds must be moistened with a spray gun to prevent the concrete from setting prematurely.

The process is completed by such a stage as stripping.

It comes three days after pouring. Accuracy must be present here, because the tile has not yet completely dried out and has not gained sufficient strength.

To make the product as strong as possible, it is recommended to dip the molds in hot water with a temperature of 50 to 70 degrees. After 5 minutes, the paving slab is removed, but before that it is necessary to knock on it with a rubber mallet.

After the process is completed, the tile should dry and lie for another 7–8 days. This is what shrink wrap is for.

The nuances of do-it-yourself paving stones tinting

To paint a tile, it is necessary to use organic or mineral pigments. Artificial colors have a fairly high coloring ability, resistance to temperature extremes. With the help of natural pigments, you can make muted natural tones.

There are 2 color options:

dilution of the dye in the wet mass;
painting on the finished product.

Painting paving slabs

The first method will require a lot of money. The price of dry dyes, which have a water-repellent property, is quite high. And in order for the color to exceed all expectations, you will need to add 7% of the total mass of concrete.

The second way is more difficult. The quality of painting depends only on time. To make it easier for yourself, it is recommended to use a spray gun. In this option, there is one drawback - uniform coloring will be very difficult to obtain.

The form is filled with colored concrete, but only up to half. Above is ordinary cement. The time between fillings should not exceed 20 minutes.

Advantages of paving slabs

At this point, paving slabs are in great demand. It has some advantages:

vapor permeability and moisture permeability of the coating;
the implementation of the construction of tracks by a more complex method independently;
suitability of repair;
aesthetics. It appears thanks to all sorts of color schemes and forms. If desired, the craftsmen can lay out an ornament or some kind of pattern on the path in the garden or cottage.

Schemes for laying paving slabs

Decorative tiles with stone

Paving stones with stones in the landscape style of a private house looks quite interesting. The method of making paving slabs at home is quite simple. Build country paths attractive will help the usual composition of the solution. It is often used in combination with natural materials.

To carry out the manufacture of decorative tiles with stone, it is necessary to prepare forms of various sizes. Boards will help to make large squares, and plastic containers will work great for miniature tiles. river stones it is necessary to thoroughly clean and prepare all the necessary components for the preparation of the mixture.

It is very important to observe the ratio, mixing sand with concrete, water and dye. After preparing the solution, you should take up the form. It is required to lay out a horizontal platform from the boards, put polyethylene under the formwork.

Thoroughly grease the mold itself with machine oil. The mixture should be evenly distributed over the area of \u200b\u200bthe mold, for this a trowel is useful. Then the stones are laid out, they must be selected by color and size, and then placed over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe mixture. Upon completion, the stones must be added to the solution.

Forms are covered with cellophane and dried for 4 days. Workpieces must be sprayed with water 2 times a day. At that moment, when the tile begins to move away from the formwork, it should be pulled out and dried out without a form.

Making paving slabs with your own hands is quite an exciting process. With the help of precise guidance, each person can easily make high-quality and original tiles. It will serve for a long time in the garden or in the yard. If a person is unsure that during the manufacturing process the product will turn out to be durable, then one should study the topic in more detail.

Video: DIY paving slabs

home » Attic » How to make a stove at home. How to make paving slabs with your own hands: manufacturing technology