Some curing compounds are designed to disintegrate completely after a couple of weeks, while others should be removed by scrubbing after the curing process is complete. Ultimately, the film provides a barrier or film to prevent water from evaporating, allowing it to cure at a consistent rate. Available from DIY stores and ready-mix concrete companies, these contain soluble emulsions that form a protective film when sprayed directly onto the surface of newly poured concrete slabs or walls. If other methods are not feasible, there’s a simpler solution yet: curing compounds. DO make the process easier by applying a curing compound. Large-scale builders may use this method to speed up the construction process when pouring foundation slabs, for example, in order to get on to framing the structure. This technique isn’t for everyone, though, because it takes quite a bit of soil to form berms around a big concrete slab. Three days of pond curing does the work of seven days of moist curing, and without daily attention-just be sure the water level remains above the concrete slab. If it drops, you’ll need to refill a little. Pond curing is another great way to cure concrete, and the process is just as it sounds: You form temporary berms around a new concrete slab, and then flood the area inside them with one foot of water. This technique can also be used for upright concrete columns and walls by wetting them down and wrapping them with a curing blanket or plastic sheeting. Remove the sheeting or blanket daily, wet the concrete again, re-cover it, and repeat for seven days. Wet the concrete thoroughly, and then cover it with the sheeting of your choice, using bricks, rocks, or other heavy items to hold it in place. Either polyethylene sheeting that’s at least 4mm thick or a concrete curing insulating blanket-both available from DIY stores-are good for this task. When you don’t have time to revisit your concrete with a hose as many times as necessary for true moist curing, another option is to use a cover that can trap and slow the evaporation of the moisture in the mix. Moist-cured concrete can be up to 50 percent stronger than concrete that was cured without being dampened! Spraying is not recommended for concrete poured during cold weather, however for pours in chilly weather, see “Don’t Let Concrete Get Too Cold,” below. Known as “moist curing,” this allows the moisture in the concrete to evaporate slowly.
One of the most common methods for curing concrete is to hose it down frequently with water-five to 10 times per day, or as often as you can-for the first seven days. For the best results, check out our list of best (and worst) concrete-curing practices before you tackle your next project.
By giving concrete mix extra attention during this period rather than walking away as soon as it’s poured, you can increase the structural integrity of the concrete and make it more resistant to future cracking. Controlling the moisture content and the temperature of the new concrete for the first several days through curing take top priority.
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