Time before new concrete can stand rain?

Bob - MI

Well-known Member
Weather forecast for the "Big Saturday Driveway Pour" at my daughter's house is looking bad. Concrete contractor friend is saying that we should move this up and do it tonight. Possibility of localized storms exists all evening with a higher probability (60%) of rain late tonight and early tomorrow morning.

This is a 17-yard pour exterior limestone mix. It will be getting a light broom finish.

Rule of thumb before it will withstand rain without erosion?

Thanks

Bob
 
heavy tarp as soon as it is done
OR at least plastic over the whole thing
slows the drying time which needs doing as hot as it is also will elinate the erosion

Ron
 
RESCHEDULE..you need several hours of set time-at least overnite- don't cover with plastic!!! it makes the concrete look like crap--street pavers use burlap it will work in light rain but not a heavy down pour-good luck gobble
 
Just my opinion, but I think it's insane to do a 17 yard pour if there's better than 50 percent chance of rain in the next 12 hours. If the rain comes too soon and spoils your concrete, YOU are the one who will be listening to your daughter complaining about it for the next few years. The contractor will be long gone.
 
I'd hold off rather than try to pour that much mud with rain in the forcast. I would also NOT cover with plastic. We have to use concrete blankets for insulation when we do winter pours. It always leaves the top a blotchy mess.

Ben
 
I know a contractor who poured a patio and had it rain just as he finished. Left the whole job pitted. Homeowner sued and won.
 
Hi Bob,

Now it's Saturday morning (here on the West Coast---afternoon where you are) and I'll bet I'm not the only one who's interested in finding out what you decided to do. I hope whatever you do works out for you.

Stan
 
We made the pour and watched the radar closely. We got about 10 hours before we got any rain and we had no problems at all. When the rain did come it wasn't a soaker so it worked out well.

Being that the temerature was 85 degrees when we poured it started to set quickly so in all I guess we were lucky.

I will tell you that this 4-man crew that did this was the fastest bunch I have ever seen. They always work with the same supplier and had only about 2~3 minutes between trucks. I got the honor of directing traffic in the road.

Never realized there are so many people that think pouring concrete is a spectator sport and would stop in the street to watch. There are also those who blow by at 50 mph within feet of the moving cement truck.

Glad it's done and it looks great.

Thanks to all who offered opinions.

Bob
 
Mike, you might argue that rain on fresh concrete is an Act of God, but the contractor entered a contract to deliver a finished concrete pad, which he failed to do. So it sounds to me like the contractor has to fix the problem, even if it was God who created the problem. Of course the contractor could always try to collect damages from the Lord. Good luck with that one.
 
"Contractor needed a better attorney. One who understood and could argue the concept of "act of God".


Yeah but out here in God's country, the Judge is god. This one started as small claims, no attorneys. Contractor appealed, attorneys involved (not me), but even the experts used (other local contractors, none of which could claim it was a good job but could say that rain sneaks up on them sometimes and they have to cover the pour) couldn't overcome the Judge, who in a rare case, drove out and looked at the patio. Judge said he wouldn't want a patio like that in his back yard. And the contractor had another full time job and just did a little concrete work in his spare time on Saturdays.
 

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