Will watering new cement help it to cure?

Question

How long should I let new cement cure before I can build on it?

Answer 1

First of all, cement does not cure....concrete cures.
Cement is just one component of concrete. The curing is the hydrating of the lime that sets up and develops its strength.
Concrete will reach about 80% of its strength in 7 days. Almost 100% after 28 days. There are many kinds of concrete depending on the admixtures. These can slow down curing, speed up curing, hardeners and strength modifiers, cold weather and water-proof.
Generally speaking, 8 hours after placing the concrete, cut your control joints (concrete shrinks as it cures, about 1/8" per 10 feet of length) and to lay wet burlap on the surface. This will slow curing but help with consistant curing. Corners will cure faster and accentuate cracks if control joints are not adequate.

Answer 2

Yes, water is essential to a proper concrete cure.but as a note to the gunslinger (number 1 answer), yes cement does cure. Concrete does not cure. Concrete is a mixture containing cement, (usually portland cement) and the cement within the concrete mixture does indeed cure. The rest of concrete is predominantly aggregate. This is added for compression strength in the finished product, but essentially, aggregate materials are just sand or gravel. These materials do not cure.

Back to the curing process. The cement needs water to develop calcium silicate hydrate. This is the principal bonding agent in portland cement, and by extension, most concretes. Without additives, the cure time can go on as long as a month, but a great majority of the strength with be achieved during the first week, and even more critically during the first 72 hours. Wait for the concrete to set, then gently water it for the first 72 hours at least. Using materials to retain water like blankets or towels, or vapor barriers like plastic sheeting will help to conserve water. In smaller applications, a constant source of hydration may be more appropriate.

Most commercial concretes, as well as those available through retail and commercial outlets contain additives to help with hydration, and require less help. Read the package and there is sure to be a set of curing instructions. Refer to them if they are available. If not, 72 hours to 7 days of constant moisture is advisable.

Answer 3

Yes, watering will help the curing of the concrete, not making it faster but reducing shrinkage cracking due to the loss of moisture at the surface. You can either set up a light sprinkler to keep it wet, or use wet blankets.
Generally, concrete should be allowed to cure for at least 3 days before you build on it. This is dependant on the strength of the concrete you placed and the load you will place on the concrete. The concrete will reach it's design strength within 28 days, with very minimal gains after that time. Make sure you allow the surface to dry if you are water curing the concrete before you begin to build.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Will watering new cement help it to cure?
How long should I let new cement cure before I can build on it?

Answer 5

Watering the cement will help the curing process - sprinkle lightly, and cover with plastic sheeting. See also: http://www.cement.org/basics/concretebasics_concretebasics.asp

Avoid building on it for at least 4 to 10 days, depending on thickness. Concrete in industrial applications is deemed to have reached a high percentage of its final strength after 28 days, which is when it is tested. In reality, concrete continues to cure and harden for years!

Answer 6

How To Cure Concrete

Answer 7

My understanding is the slower it dry out and cure, the stronger it be. This how I understand it and have always done. As mentioned you may want to cover with something to keep it damp. I guess you can spray it with a lite mist. You not want to apply the water so heavy it pit your finish.
Just for trivia;
The other day a friend and me were siting on my mom's porch and he say how nice the concrete looked. It got me to thinking. My Dad poured that slab (With a Crawl Space) in 1978. Dad kept the concrete damp for 2-3 days. Today, 29 years later and with a crawl space, so, it not supported by ground under it, there is not a crack in it. It about a 3 inch slab, 8x40 feet , I guessing.

Answer 8

"Curing is one of the most important steps in concrete construction, because proper curing greatly increases concrete strength and durability. Concrete hardens as a result of hydration: the chemical reaction between cement and water. However, hydration occurs only if water is available and if the concrete's temperature stays within a suitable range. During the curing period-from five to seven days after placement for conventional concrete-the concrete surface needs to be kept moist to permit the hydration process. new concrete can be wet with soaking hoses, sprinklers or covered with wet burlap, or can be coated with commercially available curing compounds, which seal in moisture."
http://www.cement.org/basics/concretebasics_faqs.asp

"After concrete is placed, a satisfactory moisture content and temperature (between 50°F and 75°F) must be maintained, a process called curing. Adequate curing is vital to quality concrete."

"Most freshly mixed concrete contains considerably more water than is required for complete hydration of the cement; however, any appreciable loss of water by evaporation or otherwise will delay or prevent hydration. If temperatures are favorable, hydration is relatively rapid the first few days after concrete is placed; retaining water during this period is important. Good curing means evaporation should be prevented or reduced. "
http://www.cement.org/basics/concretebasics_curing.asp

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Only if you use it in conjuction with curing blankets, other than that no.

You can start building on it within 48 hrs