Cement Storage

Portland cement is packed in cloth or paper sacks, each weighing 94 pounds. A 94 pound sack of cement amounts to about 1 cubic foot by loose volume.

Cement will retain its quality indefinitely if it does not come in contact with moisture. If allowed to absorb appreciable moisture in storage, it sets more slowly and its strength is reduced. Store sacked cement in warehouses or sheds made as watertight and airtight as possible. Close all cracks in roofs and walls, and ensure there are no openings between walls and roof. The floor should be above ground to protect the cement against dampness. Keep all doors and windows closed.

Stack sacks against each other to prevent circulation of air between them, but do not stack them against outside walls. If stacks are to stand undisturbed for long intervals, cover them with tarpaulins.

When shed or warehouse storage is not available, sacks that must be stored in the open should be stacked on raised platforms and covered with waterproof tarps. The tarps should extend beyond the edges of the platform to deflect water away from the platform and the cement.

Cement sacks stacked in storage for long periods sometimes acquire a hardness called warehouse pack. You can usually loosen this by rolling the sack around. Do not use cement that has lumps or is not free flowing.