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    cmccoy11's Avatar
    cmccoy11 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jul 19, 2007, 07:01 AM
    Concrete finish after rain, new pour
    Thanks for reading. A few days ago I had a color patio poured where a broom finish was applied. The broom finish was consistent until the next day after we had some rain. There was roughly 15 hours after the pour to the time when it rained. It only rained for about 20 minutes our so, a moderate down pour. The broom finish now has smooth spots that are recessed from the initial broom finish which look like rain drops. The areas closest to the house don't have these smooth spots. Is this affect something caused by the rain or due to settling or what? I've not fully paid the contractor for the job and we're meeting tomorrow to discuss my concern. I would like input from sources not involved with the transaction, a less bias opinion.

    Thanks again.
    Kstar4u's Avatar
    Kstar4u Posts: 255, Reputation: 22
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    #2

    Jul 19, 2007, 11:50 PM
    I'm willing to bet that your concern for the finish on your concrete will likely be solved by time. Concrete takes quite a while to cure completely and as it "ages" it becomes considerably lighter as it gets bleached by the sun. Before you know it... what seems noticeable to you now will be just a memory (if you even remember the "rain finish".

    As far as the contractor is concerned... usually when a job is completed (and in the case of concrete, that point is reached when the slab is down, the surface is finished, the forms are removed and the job site is cleaned) the contractor should advise the customer of the things that should be done to help the new concrete cure slowly (less cracking) and help it achieve a consistent cure rate overall (lightly sprinkling with water once or twice a day for a week or so). I'm not a lawyer but if the job was considered complete (where the forms gone the next day?) it was probably the customer's responsibility to take steps to protect the slab... any reputable contractor would've reacted to the rain... or even the potential for rain... by covering the slab with plastic before it got "pummeled". Now you'll probably get to see just how responsible the contractor you picked is. Good luck.
    glavine's Avatar
    glavine Posts: 895, Reputation: 87
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    #3

    Jul 20, 2007, 06:06 PM
    Hes Is Right There, In Time Those Spots Want Be As Noticeable, Its Also Not The Contractors Fault For The Rain, Maybe Some Better Planning For The Weat5her Factor But, Still.
    The Broom Finish Will Wear Down, As For A Repour, Nope You'd End Up Making It Worse In A Repour, Its Either Tear It Out, Or Just Live With It, As For Patching The Areas It Would Be Really Noticeable Where The Patches Are,
    Although It Sucks That Its Not Perfect, You Do Just Drive Your Car On It, Spill Oil On It, And Then One Day You'll Be Mowing The Grass And Shear Off A Corner, Yes Guilty
    NorthernHeat's Avatar
    NorthernHeat Posts: 1,455, Reputation: 132
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    #4

    Jul 22, 2007, 12:25 PM
    The concrete had more than enough time to cure before a small rain, like stated earlier, the concrete should be watered every day anyhow. The color will become much more uniform with a little time. Also, an accelerant could have been added, based on the weather conditions where you live. If you live in a in a northern climate, don't use salt or ice melt for at least 2 years.
    cmccoy11's Avatar
    cmccoy11 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Jul 24, 2007, 04:14 PM
    Thanks for the input from all. My contractor pointed out many things which all of you have advised, mainly that the broom finish will break down over time and what I'm seeing is a natural characteristic given the light broom finish applied. He used a liquid integral color that was mixed in the truck (not in the chute) so the color is quite uniform. Saw cuts were performed (4'x4' on the main patio and 2'x2' on the walk) thus cracking is of little concern. They'll be back tomorrow to acid stain the border and seal. Thanks for taking the time to respond, much obliged.

    Coy

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