Dew on the forms changed how I time my finishes.

Yesterday, I was finishing a driveway right at sunrise. Morning dew was all over the wood forms. I started troweling like I always do. The concrete surface got sticky real fast. Could not get it smooth at all. Had to stop and wait for the sun to dry it. That's when it hit me. Dew messes with how concrete sets. I never thought about that before. Now I check for dew and start later. It makes the job way easier.

3 comments

3 Comments

alice2691mo agoMost Upvoted

Actually, I have a different take on dew and concrete finishing. Tbh, in my years doing this, dew has never been a real problem if you adjust your method. The issue might be with the concrete mix or how wet the forms are before you pour. Starting later can mean working in hotter sun, which causes its own set of problems. Sometimes pushing through with a faster trowel technique works better than waiting. Ngl, it's all about reading the conditions and adapting on the fly.

seth1961mo ago

A contractor once said morning dew just needs thinner trowel blades.

eva_adams681mo ago

Honestly @seth196, thinner blades aren't really the fix for morning dew. It's more about timing your pour or using a bit less water in the mix.