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Finally got the hang of timing my finish on a hot, windy day
I used to panic and start floating way too early when the sun was beating down, especially on a big pour like the one for that new warehouse in El Paso last month. I'd end up fighting the set and getting a crusty, rough finish. Now, I watch the bleed water like a hawk and wait an extra 20 minutes, even if my brain is screaming to start. The change came after a mentor showed me his trick of sprinkling a few drops of water on the slab to check if it's ready. That extra patience gives me a butter-smooth surface every single time. Anyone have other tricks for dealing with fast-setting concrete in dry heat?
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margaretc424mo ago
Honestly, that water trick reminds me of a guy who swore by misting the forms with a garden hose before the pour even started.
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thomasb414mo ago
Wait, he used a garden hose BEFORE the pour? That's a whole different level. I've heard of dampening forms right up to the pour to stop the wood from sucking moisture out of the concrete, but starting with a hose sounds like you're asking for trouble. The forms would be absolutely soaked, not just damp. That just seems like a great way to mess up your mix water ratio or get weird runoff lines.
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garcia.cameron4mo ago
That misting trick @margaretc42 mentioned can actually help with surface finish.
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