How Long Should A Concrete Slab Cure Before Framing?
For anyone working with concrete, being familiar with the cure time is an absolute must. Concrete is a building material that is not structurally sound until it is cured. The curing process depends on many factors outside of your control.
If you are pouring a concrete slab, it’s important that you wait until it is adequately cured before doing anything else. Most of the time, it is okay to start when the slab is 50% cured. This also depends on what you are using the concrete for.
Before framing, a concrete slab should cure for at least 60 days to be on the safe side. However, several factors play into curing time such as the weather, and what kind of sealant you use. For the strongest curing, make sure it is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit outside.
When building a home or other structure, framing can begin after about one week after pouring concrete. This will allow further construction to take place even if the concrete is not 100% cured. There are other factors to take into consideration when making a decision, as well.
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Factors in Curing Time
When it comes to the curing time of concrete, there are a couple of factors to be aware of. When estimating how well and how complete the curing process is, you should consider these factors.
Temperature
Temperature plays a large part in the curing process. For proper and strong curing to occur, the temperature needs to be 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It is best to avoid pouring concrete in temperatures that are below 20 degrees. Colder temperatures will weaken the curing process or prevent it from happening. For the best results, be sure to monitor the temperature throughout the process.
Sealant
Correct curing and concrete pouring procedure requires you to apply a sealant to the concrete. This is recommended to be done immediately following the removal of the forms. Once the surface of the concrete appears dry, it is proper to apply a sealant. You could also wrap the slab in a type of plastic sheet to retain water and improve the curing process.
Tips for Curing a New Concrete Slab
With these tips in hand, you can ensure that your concrete experience is as best as it can be. Here are some of the best tips for pouring new concrete and helping the curing process.
Use Water in the Curing Process
One of the best things that you can do in order to help your new concrete is to spray it with water. Water is very important in the curing process. When a slab of concrete is kept wet, the evaporation in the concrete occurs slower. This can result in concrete up to 50 percent stronger.
For the best results, hose down your new concrete frequently. Spraying the concrete five to ten times per day is adequate. If you are pouring in cold weather, spraying the concrete is most definitely not recommended. This will harm the curing process.
Cover the Concrete Slab
Another step that you can take to improve curing is to cover the new concrete slab. This is best for those that don’t have the time to spray their concrete. With a cover, the concrete can be kept moist. If you do cover your concrete, it’s recommended that you wet it down first. The cover will keep the concrete wet and improve curing. This also results in a stronger concrete slab.
Hot Method: Pond Curing
One of the methods that is becoming more popular is pond curing. This involves building a perimeter of dirt around the new slab. Once it is complete, fill it in with water to submerge the slab. With continuous moisture being provided, the curing of the slab will be stronger and more effective.
In addition, the concrete will cure faster with the pond curing method. Pond curing can do the same amount of curing in 3 days as 7 days of regular curing can do. If you are on a tight timeframe, pond curing is clearly the best option when possible.
Utilize Curing Compounds
Another option to improve curing strength and speed is using curing compounds. These are commonly found in building supplies and construction goods stores. They are also available from concrete providers.
These compounds contain ingredients that form a protective film on the surface of new concrete. Once again, this allows for the retention of moisture. As we know, this helps the curing process and makes concrete stronger in the long-term. Compounds are readily available and disintegrate completely over time.
Avoid When Pouring New Concrete
Just as we provided some great tips that are recommended when pouring and curing new concrete, there are also things to avoid. Here are some of the steps that you shouldn’t skip over.
Prevent Cracking With Control Joints
Many people think that they can skip over control joints in their new concrete slab. We highly recommend against skipping this critical step. Control joints are designed to help prevent unsightly cracking.
Without control joints, your concrete slab can become unusable due to cracking. Control joints will guide any potential cracks and prevent cracks from forming due to temperature shifts.
Avoid Pouring in the Cold
One thing that you should definitely avoid is pouring concrete in the cold. As we touched on before, this could prevent moisture from doing its job properly. This results in improperly cured concrete that does not have structural integrity. Generally, it’s recommended that you pour concrete when it is 50 degrees or hotter outside. Pouring under 20 degrees is strictly incorrect.
Wait a Month For Painting or Staining
Many people pour a concrete slab for the purpose of painting or staining it. While this is certainly fine at a certain point, it is recommended that you wait. Generally, it is not okay to paint or stain your new concrete slab within the first month. The concrete is still curing during this time and paint or stain could alter the chemical composition. This could disturb the curing process.
Avoid Excessive Weight
Concrete is not ready to bear the weight of foot traffic until about 24 hours after it is poured. This is a strict rule to adhere to. It won’t be ready for the weight of a vehicle until after 10 days. Larger items can be on the concrete after 28 days after pouring. It’s important that you avoid excessive weight to prevent issues over the long-term.
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Related Questions
How long should concrete cure before putting weight on it?
The answer to this question depends on what kind of weight you intend to put on your new concrete. Typically, it is recommended that you only allow human weight and foot traffic in the first 10 days. It is safe for foot traffic after 24 hours. New concrete is vulnerable to weight damage for the first four weeks of its existence. You should wait for at least 10 days to drive a car on the concrete.
When does curing start for concrete?
Though the curing doesn’t complete for weeks, it does start soon after being poured. Curing begins about six hours after being poured but can sometimes take up to 24 hours to start. When the concrete starts to cure depends on the moisture on the surface. When the surface starts to dry, the curing typically begins.
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