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A pour in Boise made me rethink my bull float timing
We were finishing a big warehouse slab out there last fall, and the sun was brutal. The concrete started setting up way faster than I expected, maybe 15 minutes after the screed. I went in with my magnesium bull float like normal, and it just started tearing the surface. My foreman, Dave, yelled over, 'You're late, get the darby on it now!' I switched tools immediately and saved it. Now I always check the air temp and mix design before I even pick up the float. Anyone else had a job where the weather completely threw off your timing?
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ray6431mo ago
Reading the slab is one thing, but a sudden temp swing can really mess with your head. That fifteen minute window turning into five is no joke. You really think just feeling the surface is enough when the mix itself is cooking faster than planned?
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Tbh I read somewhere that feeling the surface can lie if the mix is heating up from the inside.
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john5061mo ago
Honestly, checking the air temp sounds like overthinking it. A good finisher should just read the slab and feel when it's ready.
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