That one Tuesday last spring where everything went perfectly

I had a job pouring a 30x20 patio slab for a house on Elm Street, and the weather, the mix, and the crew all lined up just RIGHT. We started at 6am and by 2pm the finish was so clean I didn't even have to touch it up. Has anyone else had a day where the concrete just seemed to work with you instead of against you?

2 comments

2 Comments

nora1849d ago

Pouring a slab that big and getting a clean finish without any touch up is a real treat. The trick is always in the timing and the mix, especially when the weather decides to cooperate. That's why I always check the forecast three days out and plan the water content in the truck accordingly. Makes a world of difference when you have a crew that knows how to read the slump and the set time. Sounds like you had the stars aligned on that one, just gotta hope the homeowner doesn't park a car on it too soon.

piper_thompson319d ago

That line about checking the forecast three days out is spot on. In my experience, the weather can change so fast that even a day-before check can leave you guessing. I try to look at the 5-day trend and keep an eye on the humidity levels too, because a dry wind can mess with the surface curing just as much as rain. Timing the water content in the truck is another thing I've learned the hard way. If you let the driver adjust it on site without paying attention, you end up with a soup that takes forever to set. But when you catch that sweet spot where the slump is a little stiff but still workable, everything falls into place. That Tuesday for me was all about reading the pour as it went and making little moves with the screed and bull float to keep the water from bleeding out.