Should You Wet Cure New Concrete?

For most concrete applications using a wet curing method (or moist curing) definitely adds strength to the concrete, especially when the concrete is hydrated regularly throughout the first week. Hydration is the key to curing concrete to its maximum finished strength. Wetting or hydrating concrete during the curing process prevents it from drying out too quickly which can cause premature cracks and failures. The first three days are the most critical for the newly cast concrete to be kept hydrated because it is too weak to withstand damage from drying too quickly. It gains approximately 40% of it's finished strength in these first three days and about 70-75% in the first week of curing. Wetting the concrete during the first 3-7 day helps prevent that early shrinking by keeping the concrete from being too dry which causes cracks or even breakage. Once the concrete is hard to the touch, it is time to start adding hydration. Do not start wetting the concrete too early as this could leave marks from droplets or a hard spray in the finish of the concrete. Once the concrete has been cast or poured, it can be tented with plastic which keeps the moisture from evaporating due to heat, wind or sun for example. Avoid letting the plastic covering rest against the surface of the new concrete as this could leave an unwanted texture and/or coloration differences that would be visible in the top finished layer. The time to avoid using wet curing is when the temperatures are near or below freezing. If wet concrete freezes, even briefly or just at the top layer, it will certainly experience damage if not complete failure. When the moisture inside the new concrete freezes, it will expand causing the concrete around it to fail by spalling, cracking, pitting, etc. 00:00 - Introduction 00:23 - Concrete hydration for curing 01:34 - Importance of wet curing in first 3 days 02:02 - Why use wet curing process 02:25 - Concrete curing strength timeline 02:45 - How much water to use for wet curing concrete 03:27 - When to NOT wet cure concrete 04:00 - How to treat new concrete 05:16 - Plastic tent to hold in moisture 05:44 - When to start wet curing new concrete 06:14 - Conclusion Referral links to products featured in Creating Concrete videos - As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases https://amzn.to/3vtmang – interlock stone mold https://amzn.to/3VIEmDX – universal mold release https://amzn.to/3TQ9e30 – silicone mold release https://amzn.to/3J7Q2II – sonite sealing wax https://amzn.to/4cDYz3T – Quikcrete red pigment https://amzn.to/4cIlDOK – Quikcrete brown pigment https://amzn.to/43EuVHL – Quikcrete charcoal pigment https://amzn.to/3J0MLee – Quikcrete bonding adhesive (PVA) https://amzn.to/3xlzwlW – Quikcrete bonding adhesive 4L (PVA) https://amzn.to/4aiGGGg – Sika acrylic fortifier 4L https://amzn.to/3vqjdUw – Drylok hydraulic cement https://amzn.to/3J3aDhv – Bosch mortar mixing drill https://amzn.to/4aiwQUS – 4.5" diamond cup wheel https://amzn.to/4aisWvb – mortar mixing paddle whip https://amzn.to/49nsDOq – Budget mortar mixer and paddle https://amzn.to/4ayjR1z – Sea sponge set for texturing https://amzn.to/3xvpE96 – Masonry / grout sponges https://amzn.to/3TGrZ8H – Marshalltown margin trowel (rubber grip) https://amzn.to/3VEhntP – Marshalltown margin trowel (wood grip) https://amzn.to/3xujXbx – Marshalltown point trowel (rubber grip) https://amzn.to/3TCp9Se – Marshalltown point trowel (wood grip) https://amzn.to/4ale5A4 – Marshalltown 12" square trowel https://amzn.to/4aEsUNI – 16" pool trowel set https://amzn.to/43H3cpO – powdered concrete pigments https://amzn.to/4avz2Is – fine sponge float https://amzn.to/4cFsYPi – 5 gallon mixing bucket https://amzn.to/4cyIKeG – bulk acrylic paint set https://amzn.to/4aB9oBU – airbrush and compressor kit https://amzn.to/3U29Y6c – high range water reducer https://amzn.to/3TGModV – fiberglass reinforcement 3/4" strands https://amzn.to/4cEd87w – alkalai resistant chopped glass fibers 3/4" https://amzn.to/3J0YzNR – perlite 4 cubic foot bag (coarse) https://amzn.to/3xiCYxI – vermiculite 4 cubic foot bag (coarse) https://amzn.to/43H2xV8 – Aircrete FM-160 liquid foam maker https://amzn.to/4aHPFk9 – RTV 100% silicone (10 pack) https://amzn.to/3VKbWcS – Smooth-On Vytaflex 30 urethane rubber https://amzn.to/3xiEhg6 – Smooth-On skin safe liquid silicone rubber https://amzn.to/3VE04cj – slate texture skin https://amzn.to/3J0QEAb – bluestone texture skin https://amzn.to/3xmZfdR – basalt texture skin https://amzn.to/4aFjSQE – Variable speed wet grinder step sanding kit https://amzn.to/43I090s – 4.5 cubic foot cement barrel mixer 0.5hp #CreatingConcrete #DIYconcrete #newconcrete #cement