Concrete Curing Process - Hydrate Concrete

Concrete Curing Process

Water is essential for the concrete curing process. Initially, a precise amount of water is mixed with the Portland cement and aggregate, but after the concrete has solidified, water begins to evaporate out of the matrix. 

If too much water evaporates too quickly the curing can become stressed and the concrete brittle.

Important Variables to Have in Mind During the Curing Process

There are three important variables in determining how quickly the concrete will dry out: temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed.

If pouring a patio or driveway in the summer sun, is advised to keep the slab wet or moist allowing the concrete to cure and strengthen properly which will minimize the appearance of cracks. Be careful not to blast a freshly poured slab with water or the top, "cream" and finish will be damaged. Curing and drying are ultimately two separate phases in concrete slab installation.

How to Speed Up Concrete Curing Process

• The Sun: In sunnier weather, the concrete will dry faster than it would in cooler weather.

• Add an accelerating compound: Add some calcium chloride, if you use the right amount will help the concrete solidify significantly faster.

• A heater is key: If you put nearby the concrete one heater, the temperature will increase and accelerate the drying.

• Plastic sheets: Place a plastic sheet over the concrete to trap escaping moisture, moisture is very important in the process and the plastic traps escaping moisture to accelerate curing. We need to keep in mind that premature loss of water must be prevented! Slabs that are insufficiently cured can lose up to 50% of their surface durability causing cracking, dusting and surface erosion within a short time frame.