How to fix rain-damaged fresh concrete
Unexpected rain on newly poured concrete causes permanent discoloration, indented spots, and ruined finishes. This aesthetic and structural damage leaves homeowners struggling to figure out whether contractors performed shoddy work or if the results are acceptable.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1putting a tarp over the concrete
- 2pushing back on the contractor before they walk away
- 3Waiting several weeks to months for the concrete to fully dry and cure
- 4Covering fresh concrete with a tarp during rain
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“In the concrete sub, the contractors are making me feel like I am the asshole. But after seeing the work in the morning, I feel even more strongly that the contractor just did a shoddy job. Just trying to figure out that I am not losing my mind.”source ↗
“It started raining in the middle of them pouring concrete and kept raining for almost 2 days straight.”source ↗
“I feel like I see markings from rain drops everywhere. Is this acceptable work or am I being too picky?”source ↗
“Unless you specifically asked for a raindrop pattern, this isn’t what you paid for. I also have to imagine the mixture was compromised.”source ↗
“that brushed finish looks good from here but rain spots are basically a permanent tattoo on fresh concrete, you’re not being picky”source ↗
“You’re not being picky. I would not be happy with this and get them to resolve it.”source ↗
“Discoloration, unevenness, indented spots, tarp marks, etc.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 6Water damage in a brand new construction house