Concrete curing is the controlled process of keeping new concrete moist and at the right temperature so hydration can continue and the slab reaches its full design strength.
In depth
Concrete does not dry, it cures through a chemical reaction called hydration. A slab typically supports foot traffic in 24 to 48 hours, vehicles in about a week, and reaches its 28-day design strength after roughly four weeks. Cutting curing short leaves the surface weak and prone to cracking, dusting, and scaling.
Even a perfectly cured slab can sink. Curing determines the strength of the concrete itself, but settlement is a soil problem underneath the slab, which is why well-built driveways still end up uneven when the ground below washes out or compresses.
How Acme applies it. This is a key advantage of polyurethane concrete raising. Our foam cures in about 15 minutes, so a driveway we lift in the morning can carry traffic the same day, compared with full replacement where you wait days before you can even park on the new slab.
Related terms: Compressive Strength, Concrete Settlement, Polyurethane Foam, Sunken Concrete
Frequently asked questions
How long before I can use my concrete after raising versus replacement?
Raised concrete is typically ready for traffic within hours. New concrete needs about a week before vehicles and about 28 days for full strength.
If my slab was cured properly, why did it sink?
Curing controls the strength of the concrete, not the soil under it. Settlement almost always comes from washout, poor compaction, or voids below the slab.