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A chat with an old timer at the supply yard changed how I handle hot pours
I was grabbing some cure and seal last week and got talking to this guy, maybe 70, about a patio pour I had coming up in the afternoon heat. He said, 'Kid, you're fighting the mix, not the sun. Add a little extra water to your truck before you even start, just a gallon or two. It buys you ten minutes.' I always thought adding water was a big no-no, but he meant just enough to offset the initial set time. It worked like a charm on that 3pm pour. Anyone else have a small trick for handling hot weather concrete?
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leo_campbell5mo ago
Learn that trick the hard way after fighting a slab that set like quick-dry cement.
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theawest6mo ago
Huh, the old timer's right... you're buying time, not watering it down. We keep a couple of those cheap spray bottles filled with water in the truck. A light mist over the surface right behind the screed buys you a few more seconds to work it, especially on edges.
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