Starts as soon as finishing is done and runs at least 7 days for most portland cement mixes, longer for slag and fly ash blends. Methods include ponding, sprinklers, wet burlap, plastic sheeting, curing compound and insulated blankets in cold weather. Poorly cured concrete loses strength at the surface first, which shows up as dusting, scaling, cracking and poor wear.
Wet curing on the deck for seven days, so somebody's on the soaker hoses every morning and the burlap stays wet.
Curing is the cheapest strength on the job: the same mix kept wet for a week ends up harder and tougher at the surface than one left to dry.
Also heard as
- cure
- wet cure
- moist curing
Related terms
Hydration
The heat-releasing reaction of cement with water that turns the paste into solid binder.
Curing compound
A sprayed liquid membrane that seals moisture into newly finished concrete.
Cold weather concreting
Placing and protecting concrete when air temperatures are at or expected to drop below 40 F.
Dusting
A soft, powdery concrete surface that rubs off under traffic or a scraped fingernail.
Plastic shrinkage cracking
Cracks that open in fresh concrete before it sets, when the surface dries faster than bleed water replaces it.