How much to cure
For wet curing to be effective, the concrete surface must be kept continuously moist for at least 7 days after final finishing. Alternate wetting and drying will end up damaging the concrete. It is important to not let wet coverings, such as burlap, dry out. The edges should be lapped, and the materials weighted down so they are not blown away.
Moisture-retaining coverings, such as polyethylene plastic sheeting, need to remain in place over all exposed areas of the concrete for at least 7 days. After placing the sheet on the surface, water should be allowed to flow between the concrete surface and the sheet. When plastic sheeting is used over flat surfaces, it should be firmly secured and extended beyond the edges of the slab by a length of at least twice the thickness of the pavement.
Spray equipment with a fan tip nozzle is the preferred method for applying curing compounds, but rollers may also be used. No matter how the cure is applied, sufficient and continuous coverage must be created for optimal results. It is important to apply a uniform spread of the compound across the entire surface or it will be very noticeable when you come back to inspect it a year later.
A lot of concrete construction professionals point the spray nozzle down and swing it in an arc when applying curing compounds. A better practice is to point the nozzle up and let the chemical mist down to get a much more even spread across the entire pavement. If you have a windy day, you can spray down and use rollers to get uniform coverage across the pavement.
Some products labeled cure and seal do not mean they do both at the same time. After applying these products as a concrete curing agent, you need to come back after 30 days to seal the pavement with the same product.
Contact your local representative to learn more on how we can help you succeed with your next concrete placement project. These field specialists can share with you a wealth of information on curing and sealing best practices to ensure outstanding results and long-term customer satisfaction.