My crew thought I was crazy for skipping the water hose

I've been finishing concrete for over ten years, and most folks add some water to the mix on site to make it smoother. I did it too for a long time, but last year I quit completely. At first, it was tough, the concrete set quicker and was harder to smooth out. But I kept at it, and now my floors have a lot less cracking and handle weight better. The other crews give me strange looks when I say no to the hose, but I've seen the good results in my jobs. It needs more work from me, but the finished slab is stronger. I'm not telling everyone to follow, but for my work, it's a big improvement.

3 comments

3 Comments

lindal131d ago

Reminds me of when I quit peeling apples for pie. Everyone said the skin would make it weird, but it added a nice chew. Took a bit to get the hang of it.

patriciam513d ago

You mentioned your floors have a lot less cracking. It reminds me of when I stopped using quick-set glue for my pottery repairs. Everyone at the craft group said it was the only way to fix cracks fast. I switched to old-fashioned ceramic cement that takes a full day to dry. My mended pieces now hold up for years without failing, even if it meant more patience during the process.

coleman.gray3d ago

Wait "holds up for years without failing" like it's some huge achievement? @patriciam51 that's just how repaired stuff should work. Most quick-set glues hold fine if you apply them right and don't rush the clamp time. Your craft group sounds dramatic - acting like using the faster glue means your vase explodes after six months. Floor cracking and pottery glue feel like totally different ballgames anyway.