When mixing and pouring decorative concrete for a DIY home improvement project, many people forget to account for the weather. But fresh concrete needs at least 12 hours to settle, and any rain or excess moisture during that time can damage the pour. Use these tips to help you prepare your concrete for unexpected rain.

4 Tips for Protecting Fresh Concrete From Rain

1. Check the Forecast

The most effective way to prevent rain and excess water from ruining your decorative concrete mixture is to work around the weather. Never pour concrete while it's raining. It's better to miss a day of work than to waste all of your materials on a bad mix. You also need to pay attention to atmospheric humidity, even if it's not raining. High humidity means extra moisture in the air, and that changes how wet your mix will be and how it will retain water. Check the humidity before beginning work, and adjust your ratio of mix and water accordingly. 

2. Prepare Drainage Solutions

If you have no other choice and need to pour concrete before a potential storm, it's crucial to prepare a drainage plan. Freshly poured concrete will be ruined if it gets inundated, so you must find a way to divert water away from the construction area. Putting up a sandbag barrier will help keep water from flowing into the area, and drainage trenches can move the water out. 

3. Cover the Concrete

Rainproof covers and plastic tarps can be stretched over a patch of fresh concrete to protect it from the worst effects of rainfall and splashing water. These items are useful for many other jobs on a construction site, so you should have them handy at all times. If nothing else, keep a few tarps close by so you can easily place them when rain is on the way.

4. Inspect the Surface

After a storm, it's crucial to inspect your construction area and take note of any damage to the surface of the concrete. If you've followed the above steps, the surface damage should be minimal and easily fixed. Once you remove the tarps, there may be some standing moisture on the top of the surface. Use a broom to push the excess water off, and let the rest evaporate on its own. 

When you need high-quality decorative concrete for a home improvement project, reach out to Schreiter Ready Mix & Materials in O'Fallon, MO. These professional concrete suppliers pride themselves on their knowledge and commitment to quality products. Find their concrete pro tips online, and call (636) 240-2600 for a free estimate on your next project.