Let’s face it—rain or shine, construction projects must go on. But what happens when the sky opens up and rain starts to pour just as you’re about to pour concrete? Is pouring concrete in the rain even possible? The answer may surprise you.
Can You Really Pour Concrete When It Rains?
The short answer is yes, but with a few caveats. If it’s raining lightly and there’s no standing water at the site, then you should be able to pour concrete without any issues. However, if the rain is heavy and/or there is standing water at the site, then it may not be safe or feasible to pour concrete in those conditions. That’s because pouring wet concrete can lead to increased shrinkage cracks and decreased strength of the finished product. Additionally, if there are high winds or lightning in the area, then it may be unsafe for workers to proceed with pouring concrete outside.
When You Can Pour Concrete in the Rain
If you’re determined to get your project done despite some precipitation, there are a few steps you can take to minimize problems associated with pouring wet concrete. First, use an evaporation retardant on the surface of your slab before you begin pouring so that moisture won’t evaporate too quickly from the top layer of your slab while it sets up. This will help prevent cracking due to excessive drying of that top layer. Second, make sure that all equipment used during your pour is properly sealed against moisture intrusion—this includes everything from pumps and chutes to mixers and other vehicles used during transportation of materials. Finally, always use fresh material for each batch so that your final product will have good strength and durability despite being poured in wet weather conditions.
Pouring concrete in wet weather doesn’t have to be a complete disaster; with careful preparation and attention to detail, you can still get great results even when Mother Nature isn’t cooperating! Just remember that safety comes first—so if there are high winds or lightning present at your job site, postpone your pour until conditions improve before resuming work. With these tips in mind, now you know how to proceed with pouring concrete in less-than-ideal weather conditions!
If you’re looking to get a professionally poured driveway, patio, slab or anything else in Indianapolis area, we are a concrete contractor who can help you get started.