Wet Concrete

Most people think that when is concrete too wet? This is a very common question among contractors and maintenance workers, but it’s also a problem for the home owner. When concrete is completely saturated, there are no good concrete forms to place submersible pumps into to keep the concrete from being completely saturated. Once concrete reaches this saturation point, cracking will occur and the formation of unsightly potholes in your driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, etc. will become more frequent.

So, how does one know when concrete is too wet?

• When the concrete is still wet after it has been sitting for an extended period of time, then you may notice a gritty or sandy residue building up on your driveway, sidewalks, pool decks, patios, walkways, etc. This is a sure sign that concrete is becoming wet when it should not be.
• When the concrete is sitting on concrete pads or shingles, you will notice a thin film forming on them, especially if they have become cracked or chipped. This same grit or sandy residue can be seen if concrete is left to dry on an open piece of concrete block or a concrete plant structure without being pumped.
• Use a simple moisture meter to see just how saturated your area of concrete is. A moisture meter will show you the level of saturation that is occurring and how much water is seeping into the ground.
• You can also use a wet cell meter to measure the puddles of water on the concrete surface. These wet cell meters are available at most home improvement stores.
• you can also step outside and look at the surface of the concrete.

If you see that it is extremely wet, then you should consider calling in professionals to remove the standing water from your concrete. There are certain chemicals that are used when it comes to concrete that must be removed before any work can take place. Some of these chemicals are flammable, so you should only use them if you are properly equipped to do so. When you are trying to determine when is concrete too wet? It might be time to call in a professional, but the process can be very easy if you have the right tools.