Using concrete in your commercial construction project begins with ordering the right concrete for your job and trusting the right concrete contractor to deliver a great product. The concrete then needs to be placed using careful techniques that will result in the right shape while maintaining the precise mix ordered for the job. Once the concrete is in place at the work site, the work still isn’t quite done. One of the most important parts of concrete placement needs to take place after the concrete has already been poured, and that is concrete curing.
What Is Concrete Curing?
Concrete curing is the process of maintaining the proper moisture levels the concrete needs to achieve the strength and durability it was designed for. It involves adding some moisture to the surface and covering the surface to keep the concrete at the right temperature to give it the best possible long-term strength.
Without concrete curing, a newly placed concrete slab would likely crack, leaving a weakened surface. This certainly isn’t what you want for concrete that’s supposed to handle years of foot or vehicle traffic. Proper curing techniques can be the difference between concrete that offers impressive strength for years and a slab that is basically useless.
How to Cure Concrete
The curing process begins immediately after the concrete has been placed and finished. Leave the forms around the concrete while it sets and while the concrete is being cured. Depending on the weather conditions, you may need to apply windbreaks around the concrete slab to avoid rapid evaporation. You can also use a fog mist over the surface during hot, sunny days. You should also take measures to ensure the concrete doesn’t get to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter months, such as covering with a tarp.
Most often, you can cover the concrete with burlap, which you will keep damp to help keep the concrete moist while it is curing. Throughout this process you should take measures to ensure the concrete stays in between 50 and 85 degrees. This can include adding shades over a concrete pour site to avoid dehydration or applying a tarp with straw if temperatures are low.
How Long Does It Take for Concrete to Cure?
When it comes to the actual amount of curing time needed, there are several different answers, depending on the type of concrete used. Your range for minimum curing times could be from three days up to two weeks. However, if you are looking for the best results possible for long-term performance, the average time recommended is 28 days. Your concrete may seem to set in a shorter amount of time, but you should cure for 28 days to really achieve the full potential of your ready-mix concrete. Choose Knight’s Redi-Mix for custom concrete that will completely fulfill your construction needs.