Can You Use Play Sand For Making Concrete?

Play sand is specifically not intended for use in making concrete or mortar mixes. Despite how readily available play sand is and how much it looks like it would make a good concrete, the reality is that the tumbling (rounding) process that the sand under goes to make it suitable for use in concrete removes the jagged and irregular shape that normally would give strength to a concrete mix. A good comparison is sharp sand (the stuff you want for concrete mixes) is like a piece of lego where play sand is like a ping pong ball. You cannot glue together ping pong balls and have them be strong. Similarly you cannot make concrete or mortar from play sand and have it be strong. Masonry sand, brick sand and even all-purpose (utility) sand can be used successfully to make concrete. Clean, washed, sharp sand is the ideal product.
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#CreatingConcrete #concrete #sand

[@rahularora3818]

LOVE the intro. Feels so natural :)
Great information thanks!

[@creatingconcrete]

Thank you. I am glad you are enjoying the content

[@elijahkalil7866]

Help! I just put down a 1:2 ratio of cement to play sand in my back yard for a water feature. The texture of the mortar feels crumbly and I worry that it will collapse if I place rocks over it. Is it safe to just go over it with a stronger layer of cement?

[@Tom-bm2kt]

Probably not, and I'm not a mason.

[@thepolished1]

Can you use concrete sand?

[@creatingconcrete]

Definitely. Just look for stones in the mix because the larger the stones the less detail you can get, or at least to say it is a little harder to get the same detail, especially for sculpting applications.