I used to think I could eyeball a concrete pour every time

For a long time I just went by feel and past jobs, never really measuring slump or checking the mix design sheet. Then I got burned on a big warehouse floor job in Spokane about six months back. The truck showed up, I gave it the old look, and said go ahead. Two days later we had crazy cracking and a surface that looked like alligator skin. The GC made us tear out 400 square feet and eat the cost. The batch plant guy pulled the ticket and showed me the water content was way off spec for the weather that day. Now I make the driver wait while I do a proper slump test with the cone every single load, no exceptions. I keep a log book in my truck too. Has anyone else had a pour go sideways from skipping the simple checks?

3 comments

3 Comments

nathana481mo ago

Honestly, that sounds like a batch plant problem, not a you problem. Can't they just send the right mix?

wendy_jackson1mo ago

Last summer we had three trucks show up with concrete that was way too wet. I made them send it back and waited for a new batch. The crew grumbled about the delay, but a cracked slab costs way more than a couple hours of labor. Sometimes you just have to be the jerk who says no.

eric_murray261mo ago

But isn't it your problem if you pour it?