The time I poured a slab in July and the sun beat me to the finish

I was doing a small patio in Austin last summer, started at 7 AM thinking I had plenty of time. By 9:30 the surface was already starting to crust over from the heat, and I still had the broom finish to do. I ended up having to wet down the concrete and work in sections just to keep it from setting up too fast. Has anyone else had to fight the sun like that or do you just use different timing?

2 comments

2 Comments

alice_hart8d ago

Whoa, you actually want to wet the concrete after it starts crusting, because adding water weakens the surface.

scott.jana8d ago

Actually in that state the crust is just starting to set. If you wet it you're just washing away the surface cream. You gotta mist it lightly, not hose it down.