Had to pick between rapid set and standard mix for a driveway in Phoenix last July

I went with rapid set because the forecast said 110 and I was scared of it drying too fast, but the stuff started kicking off while I was still spreading it and I barely got a finish on the last section. Anybody else had a job where the mix just beat you to the punch?

3 comments

3 Comments

clairen8519d ago

Why not just use regular mix and wet it down as you go? 110 in Phoenix is brutal but standard mix gives you way more working time if you keep a spray bottle handy and mist the surface. I've seen guys panic and grab rapid set for hot weather, but that stuff is really meant for small patch work, not a whole pour. You basically outsmarted yourself trying to fight the heat instead of just working with a slower set and some water management.

riley4318d ago

Riley bell here. One thing I gotta point out though regular mix straight out of the bag in 110 degree heat will still set up faster than you expect. I used a bag of standard Sakrete last July when it hit 115 and it went from workable to hard as a rock in about 25 minutes even with misting. The spray bottle helps with surface moisture but it doesn't slow down the chemical reaction once the heat gets into the mud. Rapid set is definitely for small patches but standard mix in extreme heat needs ice water in the drum or shade on the slab to buy you those extra 10-15 minutes.

the_faith19d ago

Agree completely. I made the same mistake last summer thinking rapid set would save me, but it just turned into a race against the clock that I lost. Learned the hard way that a slow mix and a spray bottle is way more reliable.