Poured concrete driveway in July. Big mistake.

I was in Phoenix last year. Thought I knew better. Poured a whole driveway myself during a 110 degree heat wave. The concrete set way too fast. I couldn't even finish troweling the surface before it started cracking. Ended up with ugly spiderweb lines everywhere. Had to rip out three sections and redo them at night when it dropped to 90. Cost me an extra $400 in materials and two days of my vacation time. Anyone else learn this the hard way about pouring in extreme temps?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_wendy1mo ago

Pouring concrete at night in 90 degrees is actually the smart play, not a mistake. Sounds like you're just not cut out for working in heat, my friend.

ray_martinez821mo ago

Man I feel you, working concrete in that heat is brutal no matter what time of day it is.

spencer7821mo ago

Wet down the forms and subgrade with a garden hose before you pour, it slows the set enough to actually work the whole slab without racing the sun. Also keep a spray bottle of water and a tarp handy in case you need to slow down a hot batch.