Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Aug 01, 2016 6:48 pm Hi Everyone Had a rather big concrete slab laid today 20metres by 2.5metres. Just wondering what the best curing method is. Its currently 14.7 degrees with a minimum of 8degree tonight 5klm per hour winds relative humidity of 71% and a dew point of 9.5 degrees. Its forecast to rain tomorrow at 6pm so about 24 hours? Should I just hope for rain and let it cure naturally via the rainfall or hit it with some water before 6pm? Tomorrow is a max of 22 with a min of 7 degrees. Slab was fully finished toady at approx. 3pm. I'm hoping for strength and crack free. Re: Curing Concrete tips 2Aug 01, 2016 7:31 pm The key is to prevent drying either by sealing the surface or keeping it damp. There is more advice here http://anewhouse.com.au/2012/05/concret ... e-is-laid/ The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Curing Concrete tips 3Aug 01, 2016 7:38 pm Weather channel saids nil frost risk so I guess I'm ok. I guess I will just let the rain play its course and let nature sort it out. I guess being laid in winter and being cold has got to be better than doing it in summe ron a 30 degree day. Re: Curing Concrete tips 4Aug 01, 2016 7:51 pm Summer sun and strong winds are the main enemies as they increase evaporation. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Curing Concrete tips 5Aug 01, 2016 8:19 pm Just get it wet in the morning then let nature do the rest:) Re: Curing Concrete tips 6Aug 01, 2016 8:25 pm Really should I be wetting it that soon. Fist half was finished about 11:00am today then the other half about 3pm today? I don't have much time before work would I be ok to let it go until 6pm tomorrow and wait for the rain? Re: Curing Concrete tips 7Aug 01, 2016 8:27 pm Yes I think that's fine. If the surface still looks like a wet sheet then you don't need any water on it yet. If it looks like it has solidified more then water it. Sent from an iPhone please excuse the ridiculous spell correcting software. My forum thread is at viewtopic.php?t=74944 Re: Curing Concrete tips 8Aug 06, 2016 8:42 am Hi Everyone So I had it laid Monday entire slab finished about 3pm Monday afternoon. I waited for rain all day Tuesday never rained so I watered it myself Tuesday 6pm. Since Then it has rained on and off continually but has been damp most of this time. Its now Saturday morning rain looks to be clearing I have wet it this morning. Should I still keep going or leave it? I notice the edges closest to my house slab are drying the quickest. I soak with water and it doesn't seem to turn the colour of the rest of the slab however it gets dark spots in some places when I water. Re: Curing Concrete tips 9Aug 06, 2016 1:21 pm Keeping it wet for 7 days is ideal. Sent from an iPhone please excuse the ridiculous spell correcting software. My forum thread is at viewtopic.php?t=74944 Re: Curing Concrete tips 10Aug 07, 2016 5:03 pm Tomorrow is day 7 and I'm just going to leave it. Hav noticed today when it dries out a bit it seems to have a white powder everywhere? Is this just the curing process or mineral salts? I didn't notice it on any other concrete we have had done on the property ie driveway or side path. I have been watering half with tank rainwater and the other half with tap water but both halves have the white powder? I'm assuming mineral salts? First time Ive seen it Just be careful with building stability during construction, that is when the structure may be weakened, refer to your engineering drawings for stability methodology. 1 7231 Thank you so much. This has been very helpful. We definitely wish to settle and get these people out of our life. They are trying to charge us interest on late… 7 14282 |