Pouring cement footing with rain in the forecast

[sp700twin]

I am getting desperate to get our in gound basketball pole up. It requires a 16" diameter footing 48" deep. I already bought the cardboard tube form and cement. I plan on digging and pouring the cement tomorrow (Wednesday). There is rain forecasted for Thursday thru Monday. Is this even a good idea to get it in tomorrow which is supposed to be quite sunny. There will only be an anchoring system placed into the cement until I come back and attach the pole so it will be very easy to make a cover over the footing to keep the rain off. Will the ground however get saturated down along side the footing and prevent the cement from curing properly? We want to be able to use it Mother's Day weekend and the instructions say to let the cement cure for 5-6 days before attaching the pole. Time is running out....

[sparcebag]

No problem,just cover it,in 24 hrs rain wont hurt it.

[TwinkeeDink]

agreed

[sp700twin]

Great--Thanks.

[Coach Dog]

Can't you "cast in" the pole into the concrete? It would be waaaay stronger and last longer.

[sp700twin]

No can do on the "cast in". It is a Goalrilla setup, claims to be the world's strongest.

[tisosy11]

Its probably better for it. The rain will help the concrete's strength...

[Coach Dog]

 Originally Posted By: tisosy11

Its probably better for it. The rain will help the concrete's strength...

Extra water will hurt the concrete's strength, actually.

[sparcebag]

After that first 24 hrs setting,keeping the concrete wet will will slow the process making it have more strength,slower curing time,after 28 or so days its said to be full set but in actuality it will set and strengthen for years.

Extra water in the mix while pouring will lose strength.

[fishgutz77]

If you do the wet cure properly it will be much stronger

[boatfixer]

 Originally Posted By: sparcebag

After that first 24 hrs setting,keeping the concrete wet will will slow the process making it have more strength,slower curing time,after 28 or so days its said to be full set but in actuality it will set and strengthen for years.

Extra water in the mix while pouring will lose strength.

Yep, and the last sentence is the key.