I tried the damp-dry-damp thing briefly too, but honestly didn't see any noticeable difference in cracking or strength once I stopped fussing over it. Proper mixing and steady curing conditions seemed way more impactful overall...and less stressful.
- Totally get where you're coming from. I messed around with the damp-dry-damp method a few times, and honestly, it felt more like superstition than science to me.
- For what it's worth, my foundations turned out just fine without all that extra fussing. Mixing consistency and steady curing conditions seemed way more important in my experience too.
- I mean, sure, if you've got the time and patience, maybe damp-dry-damp helps slightly in some scenarios...but I couldn't see any real difference either. And hey, if cutting out unnecessary steps reduces stress and doesn't compromise quality, that's a win in my book.
- One thing I learned the hard way though: don't underestimate proper reinforcement placement. Had a buddy who skipped that step thinking it wouldn't matter much. Let's just say his garage floor taught him otherwise...
- Anyway, sounds like you're on the right track. DIY concrete work can be intimidating at first, but once you find your groove (and learn to ignore some of the overly complicated advice), it's actually pretty satisfying.
