Anyone who has ever worked with concrete will tell you, placing and finishing in hot, dry conditions can be a major challenge. The combination of high temperatures, winds and low humidity can increase the rate of evaporation of moisture from the fresh concrete – accelerating the rate of cement hydration. This, in turn, can lead to a number of significant problems with concrete placement and finishing, including plastic shrinkage cracking, increased permeability, a reduction in final strength, and a sub-standard slab.