Unpopular opinion: using too much water in your mix is ruining your finish

I spent 15 years on residential driveways in Cleveland thinking a wetter mix was easier to work with until a customer complained about cracking and a lab test proved my slump was way off, so has anyone else had a lab test totally change how they mix?

2 comments

2 Comments

nancy_miller19d ago

Well I'll be. You know, I spent years thinking a wetter mix was just easier to pour and level out, especially on those long driveways. Then I had a job where the homeowner was a civil engineer and he pointed out cracks forming way too fast. He insisted on a lab test and sure enough my slump was way too high. That test completely changed how I do things. Now I keep my water down to a strict minimum and the finish holds up so much better. It's tough to break old habits but that lab work really opened my eyes.

brookebailey19d ago

Oh man, that engineer test sounds like a game changer! I had a similar wake up call when I started using a slump cone on every job, it's crazy how much less water you actually need once you see the numbers. Keeping it stiff and vibrating it in beats fighting a soupy mix any day of the week.