Hit 1,000 square feet solo yesterday, I was sure it would take longer

I've been pouring and finishing small residential patios for about 2 years now, and my biggest single day before was maybe 600 square feet. Yesterday I had a 1,000 square foot slab for a backyard in Fresno, and I expected to need a second finisher to help with the bull float and edges. My brother bailed last minute, so I decided to just go for it with a magnesium float and a lot of coffee. I finished it by 4pm with zero cold joints, and honestly the wider screed board I borrowed made way more of a difference than I thought. Has anyone else found that going solo on a big pour actually forces you into a better routine, or was I just lucky with the weather?

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1 Comment

ericgonzalez1mo ago

Hell yeah, that screed bar is the secret weapon! I did an 800 foot garage solo once and the rhythm just hits different when there's no one to talk to. You move faster, less standing around. But man, don't get too cocky, Fresno heat can eat you alive if that sun comes out. Good on ya for pulling it off, that's a solid day.