After a decade on sites, I'm convinced wet curing is a waste of time for interior slabs.

I've been finishing concrete for over ten years, mostly on commercial builds. I see crews always wet curing indoor floors, but in my experience, it doesn't prevent cracks any better than letting it dry naturally, and it just adds labor. Am I wrong, or are we just doing it because it's always been done that way?

4 comments

4 Comments

the_lee2mo agoMost Upvoted

But isn't wet curing more about helping the concrete get strong, not just stopping cracks? Letting it dry too fast can make the surface weak and dusty, so it won't hold up over time. That's why it's still standard practice, even with the extra work.

robin6282mo ago

Yeah, the weak and dusty surface is exactly the problem. It's all about letting the cement hydrate fully, which just takes time. If it dries out early, the chemical reaction stops and you're left with a soft top layer that'll wear away. I've found the easiest fix is to just cover the slab with plastic sheeting right after the initial set (usually the next morning). It's less hassle than spraying it down every few hours and traps all the moisture it needs. That strength you gain in the first week is what makes it last for years without turning to powder.

ellioth372mo ago

Remember that old sidewalk by the school? The one that's all flaky and gray? My dad always said that's what happens when they rushed the job and skipped the wet cure. He was a mason for forty years and swore by keeping it wet for a full week, even if it meant dragging the hose out at dawn. Said it was the difference between a slab that lasts twenty years and one that turns to sand in five. Makes you look at every crumbly step around town a bit differently.

murray.jana2mo ago

Saw my friend's patio powder from no wet cure.