What is the Cure Time for a Concrete Driveway?

Curing Methods

• Leaving formwork in place helps with curing. To slow the setting in warm temperatures, an admixture is added to the mix, and a curing compound is sprayed on after finishing. Water is applied to keep the concrete cool, or it's covered with plastic sheets to keep moisture from evaporating. In cool temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, curing is aided with admixtures that accelerate setting time and using the protective covers.

Curing and Concrete Strength

• Concrete gains its full strength after 180 days. Three days of curing allows it to attain 60 percent of full strength and 28 days provides 95 percent. If the concrete is left to dry out immediately, it only achieves 40 percent, making it weak and prone to cracking and surface defects.

Curing Time

• At least three days is recommended for curing a driveway. At this point, forms can be removed; however, seven days is preferable. Concrete continues to hydrate for weeks afterward, gaining in strength.