How is curing accomplished?
A. The newly placed concrete should be covered or sprayed with a material that will retain the moisture within the mix. Membrane curing compounds sprayed on the surface are the materials most commonly used. They are very convenient but they must be applied immediately after the concrete is given its final finish and care must be taken apply them thoroughly and uniformly. Coverings used to cure concrete include wet burlap, plastic sheets and Kraft paper. If burlap is used it must be kept continuously wet. The curing process should be continued for at least 72 hours and twice as long if the temperature is below 50 degrees F. It is up to the contractor to cover the concrete and start the curing process. But it is usually up to the homeowner to follow through from there and make sure that curing proceeds uninterrupted for the required time period.
