Pouring Concrete Through the Wet Season in Western Washington

Summary:

Cesar explains that ACR works through the rainy season out of necessity, but treats weather with real caution. The danger isn't rain on concrete that has already set; it's rain landing on a fresh surface while the crew is still finishing. Water worked into the surface at that stage produces a weak top layer that can dust or scale later, and the damage isn't always visible right away. ACR watches the forecast closely before committing to a pour date and stays ready to cover and protect work in progress. He is also willing to postpone, preferring to call a homeowner and move the date by a few days rather than place a slab he won't be satisfied with.

Answer:

We work through the rain here, you have to, otherwise you'd be working three months a year. But you have to respect it. The problem isn't rain on concrete that's already set up. The problem is rain landing on that surface while it's still fresh and we're still finishing it. Water on top at the wrong moment gets worked into the surface, and that top layer comes out weak. It can dust on you, it can scale later, and you don't always see it right away. So we watch the weather close before we commit to a pour, and we're ready to cover and protect the work if something comes through. And honestly, sometimes the right answer is we're not pouring today. I'd rather call a homeowner and move it a few days than put down a slab I'm not going to be happy with. Nobody likes hearing that on the phone, but they like it a lot better than a driveway coming apart on the surface a year later.