Now that your concrete has been poured, you want to make sure that it has the best chance at curing properly and preventing cracks. Proper curing will increase the strength and durability of your concrete. Below are some tips:
1. Wait a few days before walking on it.
To really be safe, wait a week. If its a driveway, wait a month.
The top of the concrete most likely will be hard enough to walk in within 24 hours. However, it can still be easy to scratch the surface or create some unsightly markings. Shoes may drag rocks, which can create scratches. Dragging the trash can across might leave marks.
2. Water your concrete with a hose at least 2x a day, for the next 7 days.
If you can water it 5-10x a day, even better! It can take concrete up to 28 days to finish curing. Watering the concrete in the beginning will help prevent the water from evaporating too quickly, which is necessary while chemical processes are happening. This may help increase the strength of the concrete. Additionally, if the top dries much quicker than below, micro cracks may form on the surface can form due to stress.
