TIL the hard way why you never pour concrete in direct sun without shade cloth

Was working a driveway pour in Phoenix back in August... temp hit 107 and we were rushing. By the time we finished the float, the surface was already crusting over. Ended up with a ton of checking and some deep spider cracks. My boss just shook his head and said I should've set up the shade first. How do you guys handle hot weather pours when the client doesn't want to wait til evening?

2 comments

2 Comments

sams2526d ago

Eh, I mean, is the checking really that big of a deal on a driveway? Maybe it's just me but I've seen plenty of slabs with surface cracks that held up fine for years. Idk, that 107 degree sun is brutal no doubt, but I feel like a good spray down with a misting hose during the finish buys you enough time without messing with shade cloth. Plus, the client probably isn't gonna notice a few spider cracks once the driveway is a year old and dirty.

elliotw3726d ago

Tried the misting hose method once on a job in Arizona heat and it bought me about 15 minutes before the surface started tightening up too fast. Ended up having to wet cure the whole thing overnight with a soaker hose and burlap to stop the checking. Shade cloth is a pain to set up but it gave me a solid extra hour of working time without the finish setting up like concrete.