Sandy Cement surface

[engism]

Hi,
I have just laid some cement paths at home using the mixes as per this website and find that the top surface will not harden, there seems always to be a layer of cement like sand that we need to sweep away daily. Is there anything I can do to seal the surface and make it a bit harder wearing, as it is we can,t even paint it.
Brgds/Ian

[stoneyboy]

engism,
If the paths are outside and you did not protect them from frost then this will be the problem. You will need to scrape back to a sound surface and then spread a strong cement/sharp sand screed onto the surface.
end

[engism]

Thanks for the reply,
we kept the cement wet while it cured so it didn,t dry too fast, from what you say we probably applied too much water during that time.....lesson learned
Brgds/Ian

[acsimpson]

Hi stoneyboy, what would be the minimum depth of screed which you would recommend?

[stoneyboy]

acsimpson,
Provided the base surface is primed with a cement slurry and the screed is kept damp it is possible to go down to a feather edge (within the coarseness of the sand used)
end