My old boss told me to never use a magnesium float on a hot day, and he was dead wrong.

I tried it his way for years, fighting the set on a 90-degree pour in Sacramento. Switched to a mag float last summer and the finish was ten times smoother. Who else has a 'rule' they were taught that just doesn't hold up?

3 comments

3 Comments

gracea1910d ago

Ever been told you absolutely need to wet cure concrete for a full week? I was, and it's such a waste of time and water on most slabs. A good sealer does the job better and faster. @emerycarr is right, you just have to try things for yourself. My old foreman would lose his mind if he saw me not hosing down a driveway for days, but the results speak for themselves.

emerycarr10d ago

Got taught the same thing about keeping mortar really dry for brickwork. Spent forever struggling to get a good bond, especially in the heat. Finally ignored the old guy and added a bit more water to the mix one afternoon. The bricks settled in perfectly and the wall hasn't moved a crack. Sometimes the old rules just make the job harder.

nina_harris3910d ago

Hold on, you're throwing out decades of good practice. A mag float on a hot day can seal the surface too fast and trap bleed water underneath. That smooth finish you love might just be hiding future dusting problems.