Laying concrete..

[24/7 farming]

About to start laying a bit of concrete around the house in next day or two. 30N 4" thick is what am aiming for, only carrying cars and our few small tractors.
Hung up on weather I should put plastic under (to let it cure better with all the water not being sucked out the bottom, by the currently pretty dry ground, and reducing the risk of cracking). Oul lad has a notion that the street would never dry when it got wet (after it has cured and set etc) wit plastic under cos the water couldn't soak through!, says it should only be done under concrete inside to stop moisture rising, my notion would be concrete dries far quicker by evaporation than by absorption, is there any substance to his notion!!?
Also any tips on bull float finishing would be greatly appreciated!

 

[AndrewG]

I would definitely put plastic down, it’ll dry out far too quick otherwise and you’ll get surface cracking, don’t add water on site and spray with the pressure washer to cool

 

[Hampton]

About to start laying a bit of concrete around the house in next day or two. 30N 4" thick is what am aiming for, only carrying cars and our few small tractors.
Hung up on weather I should put plastic under (to let it cure better with all the water not being sucked out the bottom, by the currently pretty dry ground, and reducing the risk of cracking). Oul lad has a notion that the street would never dry when it got wet (after it has cured and set etc) wit plastic under cos the water couldn't soak through!, says it should only be done under concrete inside to stop moisture rising, my notion would be concrete dries far quicker by evaporation than by absorption, is there any substance to his notion!!?
Also any tips on bull float finishing would be greatly appreciated!

Hire a float from jewson for the day

 

[robs1]

About to start laying a bit of concrete around the house in next day or two. 30N 4" thick is what am aiming for, only carrying cars and our few small tractors.
Hung up on weather I should put plastic under (to let it cure better with all the water not being sucked out the bottom, by the currently pretty dry ground, and reducing the risk of cracking). Oul lad has a notion that the street would never dry when it got wet (after it has cured and set etc) wit plastic under cos the water couldn't soak through!, says it should only be done under concrete inside to stop moisture rising, my notion would be concrete dries far quicker by evaporation than by absorption, is there any substance to his notion!!?
Also any tips on bull float finishing would be greatly appreciated!

Think your old man is taking the pee, concrete doesn't allow water to soak through