Housekia Sand Selection Checklist
🧠 Quick Summary
Sand quality directly affects the strength, durability, and finish of your building. Use this simple checklist before buying or using sand on your construction site. 📌 Step 1: Identify Your Construction Task☐ Foundation concrete☐ Columns, beams & slabs☐ Block laying☐ Floor screeding☐ Wall plastering/rendering☐ Interlocking/paving☐ Land filling/backfilling☐ Road base/sub-base📌 Step 2: Select the Correct Sand Type🧱 Structural Concrete Works☐ Sharp sand (coarse)☐ River sand🧱 Block Laying & Screeding☐ Sharp sand☐ Medium sand🎨 Plastering & Finishing☐ Soft/Fine sand only🚧 Filling & Leveling☐ Laterite/filling sand🛣️ Interlocking & Paving☐ Stone dust/quarry dust👉 Never use soft or laterite sand for concrete.
Sand quality directly affects the strength, durability, and finish of your building. Use this simple checklist before buying or using sand on your construction site.
📌 Step 1: Identify Your Construction Task
☐ Foundation concrete
☐ Columns, beams & slabs
☐ Block laying
☐ Floor screeding
☐ Wall plastering/rendering
☐ Interlocking/paving
☐ Land filling/backfilling
☐ Road base/sub-base
📌 Step 2: Select the Correct Sand Type
🧱 Structural Concrete Works
☐ Sharp sand (coarse)
☐ River sand
🧱 Block Laying & Screeding
☐ Sharp sand
☐ Medium sand
🎨 Plastering & Finishing
☐ Soft/Fine sand only
🚧 Filling & Leveling
☐ Laterite/filling sand
🛣️ Interlocking & Paving
☐ Stone dust/quarry dust
👉 Never use soft or laterite sand for concrete.
📌 Step 3: Check Sand Grade (Particle Size)
☐ Coarse – for concrete/foundations
☐ Medium – for blocks/screeding
☐ Fine – for plastering
☐ Avoid very dusty/powdery sand
👉 Stronger structures require coarse to medium sand.
📌 Step 4: Inspect Sand Quality (On-Site Tests)
Visual Inspection
☐ No clay lumps
☐ No leaves/roots/organic matter
☐ No excessive dust
☐ Uniform grain size
☐ No salty smell
Hand Test
☐ Feels gritty, not muddy
Bottle/Water Test
☐ Shake sand + water in bottle
☐ Mud/clay settles less than 5–8%
Salt Test (Coastal Areas)
☐ Avoid beach/sea sand
📌 Step 5: Supplier Verification
☐ Buy from trusted vendor
☐ Confirm source (river or quarry preferred)
☐ Avoid mixed or unknown sand
☐ Inspect before offloading
☐ Order correct volume
📌 Step 6: Storage & Handling
☐ Store on clean hard surface
☐ Cover to prevent rain contamination
☐ Keep separate from laterite/soil
☐ Sieve before use
☐ Wash if dusty
📌 Step 7: Mixing Best Practices
☐ Use clean water only
☐ Follow correct mix ratio
☐ Avoid too much sand in mix
☐ Supervise workmanship
☐ Consult engineer for structural works
🏠 Quick Reference Guide
Task
Recommended Sand
Concrete/Foundation
Sharp/River
Block work
Sharp/Medium
Plastering
Soft/Fine
Screeding
Sharp
Filling
Laterite
Paving
Stone dust
🚨 Housekia Pro Tip
Using poor-quality sand is one of the top causes of cracks and weak buildings in Nigeria.
Always choose clean, coarse sharp sand for strength and fine sand for finishing only.
✅ Build Right. Build Safe. Build with Housekia.