A simple trick I saw on a job in Tacoma that changed how I handle bleed water

I was helping a guy named Ray finish a big garage slab last fall. He was older, been doing it since the 80s. Right after the pour, he didn't just wait for the water to come up. He took a garden hose with a fine spray nozzle and lightly misted the surface. He said, 'A little extra water now, when the mix can still take it, beats fighting a dry crust later.' I was skeptical, but we had zero issues with crazing or a weak top layer. It made me rethink my whole timing on adding water back. What's your go-to method for managing bleed water on a hot day?

3 comments

3 Comments

blake_owens1mo ago

Used to think that was crazy talk until I tried it on a scorcher last July. Watched a guy do the same thing with a spray bottle on a patio pour, and the finish was butter. Now I keep a hose with a mist setting on the truck for any day over 80. It just buys you that little bit of extra working time before the top sets up.

fiona7491mo ago

That "buys you that little bit of extra working time" is exactly it, @blake_owens. I had a similar hot day where a light mist kept the surface open long enough for a decent power trowel pass. It feels wrong to add water, but it stops that skin from setting up too fast.

zaranelson1mo ago

Totally agree with @blake_owens about the mist trick. I tried it on a driveway last summer and it saved the finish. That light spray just keeps everything workable for that final pass.