The main reason for cracks is bc nine times out of ten when the contractor lets the concrete set up and start to dry and then goes again and adds water to it it causes the concrete to become weaker and weaker the more times it cures and then water is applied again. Also it can happen when 2b is put down and not compacted before a pour the ground and 2b shifts with causes the concrete to crack. The 1 inch cut thats done in the concrete is so when or if the concrete should crack break bc of movement or weight it would break evenly and not cause a spider web break. Its never really recommended to pour on a very hot day and if you can avoid it then avoid it bc its better on a cool day being the concrete will dry on its own anyways either in cold conditions or under water but will not avoid the cause of flaking or cracking by doing so. No one should ever add water if qhen the concrete sets up and if you push your finger down in it and see your print or feels dry. But that's if the pour was done in the last 4 hours bc with in that time your able to fix it after 4 hours then no water or anything bc you can mees up the cycle if its curing process. But if it rains within the 4 and 8th hour its ok bc it will be hard enough so the rain water don't mess anything up. Now if you notice that the rain drops caused a problem and theirs standing water its ok to take a garden hose and pull the access water off and try to fix it but try not to cause more damage then it has bc remember you didn't want to mess the process up that has started or create more damage.

quote" you see job sites where it's really hot out and some guy is just standing there blasting away with a hose in the chute while pouring! "quote LMAO I've seen it many times first hand. I've always laughed when I watched workers pour water on top of a driveway or sidewalk setting up that got away from them. I guess they weren't aware that the driver has the ability to add the exact amount of water you choose directly into the drum. Prior to pouring the first bit of concrete you should always take a wheelbarrow full to determine how workable the mix is. Water after the fact serves no purpose other than further aggravation. When your mud gets away from you your best bet is to place an expansion joint and stop. You'd be shocked to know just how much 3 to 5 gallons of water will change the workability of 10 yards of redi-mix. This is very little water when compared to how much concrete is in the drum. All I can offer my buyers about redi-mix concrete is short and simple. Concrete may crack, I don't offer any warranties on stress or shrinkage cracks. But I do guarantee that nobody will ever steal it once it's poured. I've never been wrong on either. See ya, Kelly

My patio is much more simple than yours, but the problems are similar. With mine, the edging and overall finish work was done very poorly, and I also have a few cracks after just two weeks! Fortunately for me, it was the last thing he did and I refused to pay him for the work. He's gone, but now I am left with a gorgeous pool surrounded by an ugly patio that looks like it was done 10 years ago! One piece of advice I will give you: Find out how long the cement truck was at the job site. I was told by a few masons that the concrete has about 90 minutes from the time the truck leaves the cement facility to the time it is poured. Any longer than that and it begins to set up. I called the cement company, gave them my address and who did the job, and they read the info off the "ticket" right to me. They even offered to fax me a copy! In my case, the truck was here for 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the facility was 1/2 hour away. Even if my PB tries to take me to court, this info alone would win my case. Maybe something similar happened to you and you can call the PB on it and have him redo it. Good luck!

I am in the finally stages of my pool and I have noticed a ton of hair line cracks all around the poured in place concrete coping. I do not like the look, obviously, but am afraid with time and water seeping in cracks it will deteriorate. Is this acceptable with a new pool and what should I tell the PB? Also the stamp concrete has two very long cracks right by the cut lines. Please advise as I still have a small outstanding balance and want it to be right. Thanks