Old timer at the plant gave me a tip about hard troweling I still use

I was at the ready mix plant in Nashville about 2 years ago waiting on a load. This older finisher named Dave walked up and saw my boots were still wet. He said "you're gonna burn that slab if you don't wait for the bleed water to leave." He showed me a scratch test he does with his finger to know when it's ready. I've used that trick on every job since and it stopped me from ruining at least 3 floors. Has anyone else picked up a simple trick from a stranger that stuck with them?

2 comments

2 Comments

sandra71522d ago

Yeah the bleed water thing is a real killer, I learned that the hard way on a garage slab. Dave's scratch test sounds smart, I started using the back of my trowel to check for a skin forming before I even touch it. Saved my bacon on humid days when the concrete tries to fool you.

henry_kelly5422d ago

That back of the trowel trick is new to me. I always just went by time and it bit me on a hot afternoon pour last summer. Gonna try your method next time for sure.