Guy at the supply yard in Fresno said to stop wetting my pads so much, now I'm second guessing
Was picking up some 6x6 mesh at the yard off Jensen last Tuesday and the older fella behind the counter started chatting while I loaded up. He asked what mix I run and when I said 4 inch slump he kinda laughed and said most guys overwater their pads just to make finishing easier, then pay for it with scaling a year later. I've been finishing slabs 11 years now and always figured a little extra water saves my arms on a hot pour, especially out here where it hits 100 by noon in July. But he said he's seen more callbacks on hairline cracking and dusting in the last two summers than ever, and he blames guys rushing the mud instead of working it. Now I got a 30x40 shop floor coming up in Clovis next weekend and I'm torn between sticking with what I know or trying his way with a drier mix and more screeding work. Anybody here pour on the dry side in this heat? How do you keep it workable without the water truck showing up on your finish?