Concrete Contractor | Thunder Bay, Ontario

When it comes to the curing of concrete, depending on the weather conditions, it can normally take approximately 24-48 hours before people are allowed to walk on it. But it’s important to fully dry or cure the concrete. In terms of the peak compressive strength, it may take up to 28 days. This is the time that the concrete undergoes a chemical transformation that makes it hard and strong as required. Here’s a quick breakdown: 

Initial Setting: The concrete will begin to harden and become more rigid in the first few hours when mentioning the setting of the concrete. 

Light Foot Traffic: While it is important that you do not walk on the concrete until it is sufficiently dry, depending on the degree of humidity, you usually can get back on it within 24 to 48 hours. 

Vehicle Traffic: One should not place cars on the concrete within at least 7 days after pouring the concrete to prevent distress. A heavier load takes a longer time. 

Full Curing: Concrete continuously gains secondary strength and continues to gain strength for the next 28 days. 

To achieve the best results, you should ensure that the concrete is moist during this period of curing. This assists in avoiding cracks, and it also assists the concrete gain its full strength as expected. 

Unlike in other physical activities where you cannot eat at a bar or simply allow the concrete to harden to get higher strength, the field of computation springs up new optimizations with flying colors. It cures by acquiring strength through a process and hence referred to as curing. Here's how it works: 

Hydration Process: Water when mixed with cement, initiates a chemical process known as hydration. These reactions cause the formation of bonds, that are responsible for the hardening of concrete. Science!

Moisture Retention: Once the concrete is being cured it is also advised that the concrete has to be wet. If for some reason the mix dries out way too fast, then it simply is not going to have as much of an opportunity to harden up as much. 

Curing Time: The concrete gains its full strength and ability within about 28 days of the concrete having been cast. 

Consequently, in order to increase the quoted characteristic, concrete is forced to retain moisture at the later stages of curing. 

Yes, it's normally acceptable if it rains 24 hours after pouring the concrete. Here’s why:

Initial Setting: By 24 hours, it begins to get really hard and becomes firm to some extent, like concrete.

Moisture Benefits: Rainwater can actually assist to maintain the concrete moistened and this is advantageous for the concrete’s curing stage. Yay, Mother Nature!

Covering Concrete: It also means that whereas with rain you need to cover the concrete with a piece of plastic just in case. 

To sum up, concrete rain 24 hours after pouring is normal and the also beneficial for the curing of the concrete structure.

Stamped concrete does routinely require sealing, but this does not mean it has to be sealed every year. Here’s what you need to know:

Protection: Sealing helps to avoid adverse effects of weather on the concrete. Making it hard for stains and wear to affect the stamped surface. It makes it look good and lasts longer. 

Frequency: It is recommended that most stamped concrete is resealed every 2-3 years. If the climate is extreme, more often, you need to seal it than if the climate is temperate. 

Inspection: It is advised that you inspect your stamped concrete at least once a year. High-traffic areas or general aging of the sealer and concrete may show ‘wear and tear’ and this means that the sealer will need to be reapplied. 

To sum up, stamped concrete does not have to be sealed every year, but sealing it every 2-3 years is highly recommended for the pattern to remain safe and visually attractive.

Concrete cures are far slower, mostly when the concrete is at + 4° C. Here’s what you need to know:

Cold Weather: Proper care of prevention of freezing of concrete should be applied. Even at 4°C, concrete may cure very little or may stop altogether. The chemical reaction that strengthens the concrete slows the cure time.

Freezing Risk: In conditions where the temperature is below 32° Fahrenheit or 0° Celsius it becomes impossible for the water located in the pores of the concrete to freeze and this generally causes destruction in the concrete. 

Protection: Indeed you are very much aware that concrete cannot be left in cold weather since the curing process is slowed or stopped. The concrete will therefore have to undergo the right form of protection. In most cases, it has to be coated or covered possibly using blankets or any other relevant equipment like heaters. 

The curing of the concrete changes with the temperature, and once the temperature reaches 40°F or 4°C, curing commences. At the same time, when a particular temperature is below the limit, the curing halts. The objectives are mainly that the concrete that is protected by the cover can only be protected against the cold.