Concrete Curing Timeline — Every Hour Counts!Forget one step, and you may face cracks or rework.

 

1️⃣ Before Final Set — Start Curing Within 8–12 Hours

Key: 8–12 Rule
Start natural curing within 8–12 hours after pouring, before concrete’s final set.
🔹 Delays cause surface cracks and reduced strength.

2️⃣ Post-Pour Joint — Cover Within 12 Hours

Key: Cover in 12 Hours
Cover and keep the joint moist within 12 hours after pouring to avoid shrinkage cracking.

3️⃣ Cement Mortar Plaster — Begin Curing After 24 Hours

Key: 24-Hour Rule
Cure under moist conditions 24 hours after plastering to prevent powdering and cracking.

4️⃣ Waterproof & Crystalline Layers — Spray for 3–7 Days

Key: Spray 3–7 Days
Apply uniform mist curing for 3–7 days before water testing.

5️⃣ Concrete After Pouring — Cover Within 12 Hours

Key: 7 or 14 Rule

1. Cover and keep moist within 12 hours.

2. Ordinary or slag cement: ≥7 days.

3. Waterproof or retarded concrete: ≥14 days.

6️⃣ Surface Layer — Cure ≥7 Days, Walk Only After 5 MPa

Key: 7 Days, 5 MPa Rule
Cure for at least 7 days. Allow walking only after compressive strength reaches 5 MPa.

7️⃣ Tile Layer — Start Within 24 Hours, Cure ≥7 Days

Begin curing within 24 hours after installation, for at least 7 days to prevent hollowing.

8️⃣ Stone Finish — Cure ≥7 Days

Key: Stone 7 Rule
Cure stone surfaces (marble, granite, etc.) for at least 7 days to ensure adhesion.

9️⃣ Post-Pour Joint — Keep 28 Days, Moist for 15 Days

Key: Keep 28, Moist 15
Keep formwork for 28 days and maintain moist curing ≥15 days.

🔟 Cement Waterproof Layer — ≥5°C, Moist ≥14 Days

Maintain moist curing for at least 14 days at temperatures above 5°C.

2.1️⃣ Mass Concrete — Moist ≥14 Days

Maintain moist curing for at least 14 days to prevent thermal cracking.

2️⃣ Mass Concrete Details

Key: Ordinary 14, Slag/Pozzolan 21, Waterproof 14
Ordinary cement: ≥14 days
Slag or pozzolanic cement: ≥21 days
Waterproof concrete: Cure immediately after final set, ≥14 days

3️⃣ Post-Pour Waterproofing — 42 Days Old, 28 Days Cure

Adjacent concrete must be ≥42 days old, and waterproof curing ≥28 days.

4️⃣ Standard Curing Period — 28 Days for Strength Test

28 days of standard curing before compressive strength testing.

5️⃣ Waterproof Concrete — Cure Immediately After Final Set ≥14 Days

Key: Waterproof 14 Rule
Start curing immediately after final set, for no less than 14 days.

6️⃣ Shotcrete — Start 2 Hours After Final Set, ≥14 Days

Begin curing 2 hours after final set, for at least 14 days.
Do not spray water when temperature is below 5°C.

✅ Quick Memory Formula

🧱 8–12 before set, 12 cover joint, 24 for plaster, 3–7 spray, 7 for ordinary, 14 for waterproof, 7 for surface, 28 keep & 15 moist, 14–21 for mass, 14 for waterproof final.