The DOT spec on curing compound changed how I bid jobs

I was reading the state spec for a sidewalk tear out near Columbus last month and found out the curing compound has to be applied within 30 minutes of finishing, not whenever you get around to it. I always thought it was just a recommendation, but it's literally in the bid documents. That little detail cost me 3 hours of rework on a 200 foot pour because I sprayed it late and the surface checked like crazy. Now I build the clock into my crew's routine and I write it into every estimate I send. Has anyone else gotten burned by a spec detail you assumed was optional? What other hidden requirements should a guy watch for?

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miles_roberts3d ago

The real trap is the clock starts when the finisher calls it done, not when you pour. Most guys spray right after the bull float and think they're good, but if you're doing a broom finish or anything that takes extra passes, that 30 minutes burns up fast. I got bit on a big box store slab where the finisher was still working the surface at minute 25 and we had to rush the spray, which messed up the texture anyway. Now I have one guy whose only job is watching the time and mixing the compound while the rest of the crew finishes. Also check if your spec requires a certain moisture retention rate, some states want a higher percentage than the generic stuff at the supply house.