Green concrete in July taught me a lesson about timing

Last summer outside Austin I poured a driveway at 10am and by 2pm the surface had set up so fast I couldn't get a broom finish before it crusted. My mix had too much accelerator for the heat, so now I back off the admixture and start pouring later in the day. Anyone else adjust their mix schedule when the thermometer passes 95?

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1 Comment

wesley_hart12d ago

Whoa, wait, you poured at 10am in July in Texas? That's like, the hottest part of the day is just getting started. I mean, I've made some timing mistakes before, but that's wild. You basically gave that concrete no chance, especially with extra accelerator in the mix. I bet that broom finish felt like dragging a rake through sandpaper by the time you got to it. Glad you figured out the later start helps, but man, my hats off to you for even attempting that.