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I keep seeing crews pour footings without checking the subgrade moisture first
Last week in Phoenix, we had a footing pour where the ground looked dry but felt cool. I told the foreman to spray a little water, but he said it was fine. Two days later, the concrete had crazy surface cracks because the dry dirt sucked all the moisture out too fast. Now I always do the plastic sheet test overnight before a pour. Has anyone else had this happen with that desert clay?
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stone.troy5mo ago
That desert clay is a total moisture thief. Watched a slab cure way too fast out near Buckeye for the same reason. The plastic sheet test is now gospel on my sites too.
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the_jenny5mo ago
Honestly that plastic sheet test @stone.troy mentioned saved us last summer. We started wetting the subgrade twice before pouring and it made a huge difference. Tbh even with that I still keep the hose handy for a light mist during the first few hours. That desert just sucks the life out of fresh concrete.
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