Disaster with a wet edge on a patio job near Calgary

I was finishing a small backyard patio in Airdrie last month, about 400 square feet. Everything was going smooth until my helper decided to hose down the forms right as I was about to start the final pass. Water pooled in a low spot I hadn't noticed and completely washed out the cream. I ended up having to bull float that whole section again while trying not to disturb the rest. The homeowner came out and asked if that was supposed to happen, which just made me laugh. I told him it was a special texture technique and hoped he didn't look too close. Took an extra hour to blend it in, but in the end it actually looked fine. Has anyone else had a helper accidentally ruin a wet edge and have to fake your way through it?

2 comments

2 Comments

shane_williams1mo ago

Not exactly right on the term there. What you're describing isn't really a wet edge issue. A wet edge is when you pour concrete next to a section that's already set and you have to blend the new pour into the old one so you don't end up with a cold joint. What you had was just a wet spot washing out your cream on a fresh slab, which is more of a grading and finishing problem. Still a pain, but a different kind of pain. Your fix was fine though, bull floating it back in is pretty much what most guys would do. Just don't let the homeowner watch you work if you're already having a rough day, that never helps.

sageburns1mo ago

Yeah homeowners watching always jinx it.