Can You Pour Concrete in the Rain?
Posted on April 20th, 2022 by Devine Bros
Now that spring has sprung in Connecticut, many homeowners and business owners are coming out of their winter shells to take on more outdoor projects. We all know that rainy weather can be frustrating, and we may have a few outdoor projects planned this spring. But if you need concrete, should you wait until the rain stops? We have a full breakdown of what you need to know about pouring concrete in a shower and precautions you need to take due to weather changes or issues.
Can You Pour Concrete in Rain?
Technically, yes, you can. While concrete needs time to cure, this process is a chemical reaction, not a physical one, which means rainwater will not destroy the project. However, you must take some steps to ensure that it won’t end up too runny or dry for any upcoming designs on your list.
If your project requires a large amount of concrete, it is best to wait until after we finish this wet season before starting. However, if you have small jobs such as laying a few patio stones or putting up a new fence post or emergency fixes that can be done in one day and won’t take more than 100 pounds of cement at once, you’ll need to take some extra precautions while completing the plan.
Prepping Your Site
If the forecast has some heavy rains predicted, you must prepare beforehand to get through the day smoothly. For starters, always have the right tools and materials for the job at hand. To ensure you’re covered in all weather conditions, bring a variety of waterproof tarps, rubber gloves, boots (waterproof or not), and some quality sandbags to weigh down any equipment that needs to stay dry.
Protect Your Mix
First of all, water from the rain can harm your mix. To counteract this issue, you will want to ensure that you aren’t allowing buckets of water to stir in the mixture of cement, binders, aggregate, and more. Little droplets here and there won’t hurt, but a downpour will cause the finished project to turn out poorly.
Dry it Off
After pouring, try to squeegee or brush off any excess surface water from the concrete. When there is too much standing water sitting on freshly poured concrete, it could damage the cement levels and ruin the base.
Cover Your Project
For a form or mold to hold its shape, there needs to be some dry time between each layer, and one good way of achieving this is by keeping the site as dry as possible. This starts with keeping your area dry after doing what you can to prep the site and dry off the top. Consider using tarps and other coverings to keep water out.
Let it Cure
It takes about 48 hours for new concrete to cure before use. So, after this period, if you can keep up with the rain and prevent any issues, the site will be ready to go!
Of course, if this seems like a lot to keep in mind, you can always count on the concrete professionals!
Helping Norwalk homeowners improve their lives is something Devine Brothers has been providing to their customers for over 100 years! If you’re interested in learning more about our service or need supplies, make sure to get in contact with us today! For more tips & tricks, make sure to like us on Facebook.