Curing Concrete Plastic Sheeting

Use light or transparent plastic for temperatures above 60 f 16 c.

Curing concrete plastic sheeting. Curing concrete with plastic sheeting requires covering all exposed areas of the concrete as soon as possible without damaging the concrete finish. Two common types of membrane curing are. For this reason concrete could be effectively covered with a plastic sheet so that it seals the evaporation of water from concrete. Plastic sheeting also has the advantage of flexibility.

The curing concrete with plastic sheeting after a short spell of water curing for one or two days is sometimes beneficial. Curing compounds are chemical products usually sprayed directly over the concrete. The drying or curing should be gradual otherwise cracking may occur. Either polyethylene sheeting that s at least 4mm thick or a concrete curing insulating blanket both available from diy stores are good for this task.

To cure concrete slabs cast on the ground contractors traditionally use aci recommended methods of water wet curing. Use dark colored plastic for temperatures below 60 f 16 c to absorb more sunlight. If the concrete is completely covered with plastic no outside moisture can penetrate to contact the slab. Should you cover concrete with plastic to help curing.

One of the most effective materials to guard against rain is plastic sheeting visqueen. Wet the concrete thoroughly and then cover it. A plastic polyethylene covering retains moisture in the concrete and improves temperature control. Pigmented polyethylene sheeting provides a good curing medium as it is impervious to moisture light in weight and can be re used under good conditions.

Sometimes concrete work is carried out in some inaccessible difficult or far off places. Covering the curing concrete with plastic keeps it cleaner but there is a more important purpose behind this practice. This covering locks in moisture and helps the curing process. Water is mixed into concrete to activate the cement binding agent and as the mix dries it hardens.

Curing concrete with plastic sheeting requires covering all exposed areas of the concrete as soon as. It is easy to drape over complex shapes and the progress of curing and condition of the concrete can be checked easily at any time. When plastic sheeting is used over flat surfaces such as pavements or slabs it should extend beyond the edges of the slab by a length of at least twice the thickness of the slab. You may have seen fresh concrete covered with plastic while it is curing.

In cold weather plastic clad concrete curing blankets are often used to protect the surface from snow and insulate the concrete from freezing. Spread a plastic sheet over the fabric to lock moisture in. It is a common misconception that concrete cures by drying out like a pie crust that hardens as it.