Post-placement Tasks
Post-placement Tasks is the smallest section, about 7%: applying stains and sealers; stripping forms; and repairing, grouting and caulking concrete. For worked examples, traps and full explanations, see the PrepPass CSLB C-8 Concrete Study Guide.
Stripping forms
Side forms come off as soon as removal will not damage the concrete, and the exposed faces are then cured for the rest of the curing period. Forms and shores that carry weight stay until the concrete can support its own weight and the loads on it, as the plans and specifications stipulate; reshores stay until the supported concrete is strong enough.
Repair, grout and caulk
Shallow honeycomb over sound concrete and tie holes are dry-packed: a stiff 1:2 cement-sand mortar rammed in about ½-in lifts and water-cured. Deep or widespread defects with exposed steel need an engineered repair. Dormant cracks can be epoxy-injected; moving cracks are routed and sealed with an elastomeric sealant. Nonshrink grout fills gaps under plates.
Stains and sealers
Stains need surfaces free of membrane curing compound, so plan moist curing where stain or sealer will follow, and test on a panel first. Penetrating sealers repel water in the pores but do not bridge cracks, cannot be removed and need reapplication; film-forming coatings change appearance. Avoid strong acids such as muriatic acid for cleaning.
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