If you plan on using Quikrete, then you have quite the easy job ahead of you. Quikrete is so easy to use due to the fact that it sets within just 40 minutes or less, therefore allowing for fast concrete work to be done.
With that being said, there seems to be a bit of confusion between drying, setting, and curing, which is one of the things we are here to clarify today. We will also talk about how long it takes for Quikrete to cure, especially based on various conditions.
Quikrete Drying vs. Setting vs. Curing: What Are the Differences?
Okay, so what many people don’t understand is that drying, setting, and curing are not the same things.
First, we have drying, which is what happens when the water or moisture evaporates out of a substance, therefore only leaving the hard and solid materials behind. Yes, concrete or Quikrete does dry, because you mix the dry mixture with water, pour it, and then allow it to dry until it is solid. However, what is important to note is that with concrete and Quikrete, drying is not actually what makes it hard, which is something we will touch on below.
We then have setting, which means that the concrete begins to harden. In other words, the setting time is how long something like concrete takes to dry enough and to become hard enough to use. When concrete begins setting, there is a chemical reaction that occurs, which causes the various compounds to link together and crystalize, therefore starting the hardening process. When concrete is fully set, it should be fine for foot traffic. However, setting is not the same as curing. Just because concrete is fully set does not mean that it is fully cured.
We then have curing, which is the process of the chemical reaction that occurs between the various substances. In Quikrete there is cement, and when mixed with water, cement and water create a chemical reaction that causes the substances in the cement to link together and crystalize, or in other words, become one solid piece. When concrete is fully cured, it means that there is no longer a chemical reaction occurring, and when fully cured, concrete or Quikrete will be at full strength.
How Long Does It Take Quikrete to Dry?
Something to keep in mind here is that drying occurs the whole time during the curing process. Remember that cement and concrete require water to cure. That chemical reaction that occurs needs water to keep happening.
Therefore, technically speaking, the time it takes for Quikrete to dry and cure should be the same. When concrete is fully dry, curing is done, and when curing is done, there is no moisture left in it. Generally speaking, it will take both Quikrete and concrete a full 28 days or four weeks to fully dry and cure. However, Quikrete can still be used within about four hours of being mixed and poured.
How Long Does Quikrete Need to Dry Before Rain?
Let’s keep in mind that Quikrete does need water to cure, so yes, you can pour or mix Quikrete in the rain. That said, the Quikrete needs to be hard enough so that it doesn’t absorb more water, at least not too much, before it gets a chance to harden. Therefore, it is recommended that you use the Quikrete at least 40 minutes to one hour before it rains. However, for the best results, it is recommended that Quikrete be poured about four hours before it rains.
How Long Does It Take Quikrete to Set?
The really good thing about Quikrete, and why so many people use it, is because it sets so quickly. Just for a quick reminder, setting with concrete refers to how long it takes to start to harden. With Quikrete, given the right conditions, you can expect it to set in between 20 and 40 minutes.
How Long Does It Take Quikrete to Fully Cure?
Although Quikrete does set very quickly, it takes just as long as normal concrete to cure, which is generally up to 28 or 30 days. It will achieve 50% of its full strength in 24 hours, but 100% strength will not be achieved until about four weeks after it has been mixed.
4 Factors Affecting Quikrete Drying Time
There are a number of factors that will affect how long Quikrete takes to dry and cure, so let’s take a look.
1. Temperature and Sunlight
Perhaps the biggest factor here is temperature. The warmer it is, the faster the Quikrete will cure, and vice versa. The best temperature for concrete drying and curing is between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature dips below 40, the drying and curing time will increase exponentially.
However, keep in mind that you don’t want the Quikrete to dry and cure too quickly, as this will decrease its integrity, so pouring concrete when it is above 90 degrees is not recommended. Also, keep in mind that exposure to direct sunlight will cause the water to evaporate out of the Quikrete faster, which will speed up the drying process, although this is not necessarily a good thing.
2. Humidity
The next factor that affects the drying and curing time of Quikrete is humidity. Now, remember that concrete and Quikrete should be relatively moist to cure.
The moister the Quikrete is, the better the cure. However, the less moisture there is, the faster it will dry, at the expense of the quality of the cure. For this reason, it is recommended to spray your freshly poured concrete with some water, to slow down the curing process for a solid cure.
3. Slab Thickness and Size
The next factor that affects the drying and curing time of Quikrete is how thick the pour is. This is just like with paint or anything else. The thicker the layer of concrete is, the longer it will take to dry and cure. This is true not just in terms of thickness, but surface area too.
4. Airflow
Finally, airflow can also affect the curing time for Quikrete. This is because the more airflow there is, the faster moisture will evaporate out of the concrete mixture. However, once again, speeding up the curing process is not necessarily recommended.
5 Ways to Speed Up the Quikrete Curing Process
There are some ways to help speed up the curing process of Quikrete. This can be useful if you need it to cure quickly to get it to its full strength. That said, as mentioned above, speeding up the curing process is not necessarily recommended, as it can negatively impact the final result.
1. Use Quikrete in Good Weather
If you want your Quikrete to dry quickly, make sure to use it in sunny weather and in fairly warm conditions. The warmer it is, and the more sun it gets, the faster it will cure.
2. Keep Humidity Low
If you want the Quikrete to dry quickly, which will therefore help it cure faster, then make sure that you pour it when humidity levels are relatively low. The dryer the air, the faster it will cure.
3. Provide Some Airflow
To help the moisture dry out of the Quikrete faster, place an air fan beside it. The more airflow there is, the faster the moisture will evaporate.
4. Keep the Layers Thin
The thinner the layer of Quikrete is, the faster it will cure, so if possible, try not to use too much at once.
5. Use Less Water in the Mix
The other way to help Quikrete cure faster is to decrease the water-to-Quikrete ratio when you mix it. If you make it thicker to begin with, it will dry and cure faster.
Summary
Now that you know all about Quikrete drying and curing, you can use Quikrete successfully for your next concrete project.