Once a contractor has poured your concrete, you will be eager to use the area again. However, it is important to protect the new stamped concrete while it cures. The better you care for it now, the longer it will last and the better it will look. So when can you walk on it? Below is a timeline you need to know when your concrete is safe to walk on.
It is vital that you remember that the longer concrete sits, the stronger it will become. Concrete can cure after a few hours, becoming strong enough to bear the weight of foot traffic. That being said, it doesn’t actually dry for a month in hot and humid weather. Concrete will not reach its full strength until it’s completely dry, so you must carry on protecting it during this time. While you will not see any difference on the surface, if you rush the curing process, you will damage the interior integrity. This in turn will significantly reduce its life expectancy of about 50 years, so you will be repairing or replacing it sooner than you expected. The good news is, you do not have to keep all foot traffic off for a month. In fact, the wait is significantly shorter than that, although you will have to take a few precautions.
New concrete starts to cure the moment it is poured and is strong enough to support a person’s weight after a few hours. That is why you will often see concrete workers standing on new concrete not long after it is poured. This allows them to finish the concrete and apply any sealants or decorations. That being said, concrete is still quite fragile at this point. That is because while the surface appears dry, it is still wet below. You can still mark the concrete if you are not careful.
If you are looking for a reputable stamped concrete service and would like to know more about our company and what we can offer you, please do not hesitate to call Hernandez Concrete Construction LLC. We’re available at (417) 201-3940. Call now if you live in or around the Goodman, MO region.
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