Honestly, I can relate to the plastic sheeting chaos—wind seems to have a personal vendetta against any kind of project like this. I’ve seen people use landscape staples or even old curtain weights to keep it down, but it’s always a bit of a circus. I do think the extra effort pays off, though. The difference in finish quality and long-term durability when you really protect the curing process is pretty noticeable, at least in my experience.
Misting the slab is a clever touch. I’ve heard mixed things about it, but in hot weather, it probably helps prevent those little surface cracks that can mess with the look later on. It’s funny how much patience concrete demands... and how hard it is not to poke at it every time you walk by.
MY ADVENTURE WITH DIY CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS
Plastic sheeting and wind—honestly, I’m convinced it’s a universal law that the two can’t coexist peacefully. Ever tried using bricks or even random lumber to weigh it down? Sometimes I wonder if the wind just waits for you to turn your back. About misting, I’m a bit split—sure, it helps with surface cracks in hot weather, but if you overdo it, you risk weakening the top layer. Have you ever noticed any dusting later on, or does your slab hold up fine? The temptation to touch the concrete is real... like watching paint dry, but somehow more suspenseful.
MY ADVENTURE WITH DIY CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS
Plastic sheeting and wind—honestly, I’m convinced it’s a universal law that the two can’t coexist peacefully.
That line made me laugh—completely agree. I’ve tried everything from buckets of gravel to leftover patio chairs to keep the sheeting down, and somehow the wind always finds a way to sneak under. It’s like a test of patience every time. One thing I found helps (sometimes) is to tuck the edges of the plastic under the form boards, then double up with weights in the corners. Not foolproof, but it buys you a few minutes before the next gust.
About misting, I’m right there with you on being torn. I’ve read all sorts of advice—some folks swear by light, frequent sprays, others say just let the plastic do its thing. When I did my garage slab last summer, I went with a combo: plastic on top and a quick mist in the morning if it looked like it was drying too fast. Didn’t get much dusting, but there was a faint chalky feel in one corner where I think I overdid it. Maybe it’s just luck or maybe that’s where the sun hit hardest.
One thing I learned (the hard way) is not to walk on it too soon—even if it looks set, your footprint will haunt you forever. The urge to poke or prod is real... I ended up leaving fingerprints along one edge because I couldn’t resist checking if it was “done.” Adds character, right?
If you’re aiming for that smooth, almost polished look, I’ve noticed some folks use curing compounds instead of plastic sheeting. Haven’t tried that myself yet—curious if it really makes a difference or just adds another step (and cost). For now, battling wind and resisting the urge to touch seems like enough of an adventure.
Concrete work always feels like a mix of science and stubbornness. Sometimes you win, sometimes you get weird little cracks as souvenirs.
MY ADVENTURE WITH DIY CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS
Plastic sheeting in the wind is a pain—no way around it. I’ve lost more tarps to a good gust than I care to admit. On job sites, we usually use 2x4s or even rebar to pin down the edges, but even then, you’re never fully safe if the weather turns.
I’ve used curing compounds on bigger pours when we needed consistency and didn’t want to deal with plastic flapping around. It works, but honestly, for small projects, plastic is just simpler (if you can keep it down). The main thing is patience—concrete always looks ready before it actually is. Stepping on a slab too soon is a classic rookie move... seen plenty of those “character marks” over the years.
MY ADVENTURE WITH DIY CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS
Plastic sheeting in the wind is a pain—no way around it.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had better luck with curing compounds even on smaller jobs. The upfront cost is a bit more, but you avoid the hassle of chasing plastic across the yard or dealing with uneven curing if the wind gets under it. Plus, less cleanup. I guess it comes down to how much time you want to spend babysitting the slab versus just spraying and moving on.
