What is curing and how do I cure my new concrete slab?
Concrete hardens as a result of hydration, that is the chemical reaction between cement and water. Hydration occurs only if water is available and if the concrete’s temperature stays within a suitable range. After placing concrete, the concrete surface needs to be kept moist for a period of time to permit the hydration process. this period is referred to as the curing period and is usually 5-7 days after placing conventional concrete. New concrete can be wet with soaking hessian, sprinklers or covered with wet hessian or plastic sheets or can be watered with commercially available curing compounds which seal in moisture.
