Content

• Steps
• Tips

Concrete curing is a term that is used to stop freshly laid concrete from drying out quickly. This is done so that the concrete left to dry on its own without breaking the complete bond between all of its components. As a rule, it will be weaker, with a tendency to crack. The surface will not be as hard as it should be.

Steps

1. 1 Leave the mold that is used to create the concrete formation. The formwork itself, if left in place, or on the bottom of a suspended slab, or around a particular column, slows down the too rapid drying of the concrete and can therefore be called a protective agent.
2. 2 Use concrete care through flooding, which, as shown in the photo above, is done by forming a sand dam around a particular structure and then flooded with water. This method has the following disadvantages:
   • This takes up a considerable part of the work, and then a violation often occurs and water flows from the stove.
   • This can usually only be done for a few days as it slows down other work and the pressure is usually directed to get the walls.
   • A possible disadvantage of this method, especially in the case of using soil or clay, is that there is a possibility of staining the concrete.
3. 3 Spray water on the stove. An easier way is to simply keep the sprayed water on the stove using a spray gun or hand hose. Below are some disadvantages to consider if you are going to use this method:
   • This method is very wasteful of water.
   • Again, this can usually be done within a short period of time.If you provide water, the concrete must be wet all the time, meaning you must not let it dry out at all, which is almost impossible to do.
4. 4 Use some kind of coverwhich contains and retains spray on the water, like a layer of sand or burlap. The sand cover or burlap needs to be damp, and if it dries, it actually helps to suck moisture out of the concrete. The use of plastic shields, which is basically a plastic sheet, placed on the top plate to stop the evaporation process. This is one of the most effective ways to cure concrete. Hose spray is usually used to wet the surface and the plastic is removed, with large circles at the joints. Use blocks of wood or cement to hold the plastic in position rather than tying them in knots. Plastic can be used multiple times to a certain extent. The main advantage of plastic is that it does not stop other work and can therefore be left in position for several weeks if needed.
   • The photo shows the concrete columns that have been removed from the formwork (for later use) and then wrapped in clear plastic wrap. Vapors from the concrete condense on the inside of the plastic, and the surface of the column remains moist.
5. 5 Use oils and mixes for concrete care. These mixtures and oils are now of many types. Used water-soluble wax emulsions that can be sprayed onto fresh concrete with a hand-operated pump. They are milky white when used, but dry out as a light waxy coating. They have the advantage that they can be sprayed onto paths and even before the concrete is set for walking. Its other main use is on concrete walls. They remain on the surface for weeks and finally collapse from exposure to sunlight. Be hesitant when using protective oils for interior floors, just in case any residue will stop the full adhesion of ceramic tile adhesive, etc.
   • Other types of concrete protection mixes are PVA-based, chlorinated rubber or rubber-based. They can also be obtained in color variants that fade over time.

Tips

• Hot or windy weather speeds up the drying process
• You have spent a lot of money buying a good product, and you can lose a lot in the price of that product if you don't look after it.
• Even on small tiles for a garden shed, we will spend a decent amount of money and spoil good concrete without taking care of it!