How long does concrete take to cure?
20th February 2019 Whether you are planning a small domestic or large commercial concreting project, knowing how long your freshly laid concrete will take to fully set is a valid concern.
It’s likely that you will need to put some form of pressure on your new concrete floor, be it walking, driving or placing structures and furniture, so it’s important to know how long you need to wait before it’s safe to do so, or the integrity of the surface can be compromised.
What is curing?
Curing refers to the unique chemical process concrete undergoes to transform from a liquid to a solid. Cement particles react and create strong bonds with water particles trapped within the concrete mixture – this process is what makes concrete floors as durable as they are.
When can I use my concrete floor?
In fact, concrete never actually finishes the curing process - but don’t worry, you won’t have to wait years to fully utilise your concrete. 28 days is the general rule of thumb when it comes to the curing time of most commercial concrete floors, and they achieve around 70% of their full strength after approximately 7 days.
For domestic concreting projects, like concrete shed bases and driveways, the concrete is likely to have cured enough for light use in 48 hours. To put in perspective, that means you’ll be able to walk across it without leaving a mark, but it likely still won’t be strong enough to support vehicles until the end of the 28-day period.
What effects concrete curing time?
There are a number of factors that will affect the curing time of concrete:
Hot weather – hot, sunny weather will speed up the evaporation of water from the concrete slab, which can lead to cracking on the surface.
Accelerating admixtures – concrete additives such as calcium chloride can be added to concrete mixes in order to speed up curing time. However, these can cause corrosion to steel reinforcement.
The LGW Group are experts when it comes to concrete mixes and concrete cure times. We provide industry-leading advice and services when it comes to all aspects of your domestic or commercial project. Contact us today on 0117 958 2090.