Poured driveway today, sun tomorrow, water it?

[HardDrive]

Had a new driveway poured today. Its pretty cool and moist here in Seattle. But tomorrow we might actually be dry (gasp) and have sun (double gasp). Should I be watering the concrete to improve its durability?

I have read all sorts of stuff on the internet, some conflicting, so I turn to you. Concrete will be about 16 hours old in the morning. It will be in the mid 30s overnight. Broom finish on the slab.

I would ask the contractor, but he is a Samoan guy that mostly grunts when asked questions (lays nice concrete though).

[porsche4life]

I think they mostly worry about that when it is blistering hot... But IDK... Anytime I have poured concrete it was going in a hole in the ground....

[MotoSook]

It won't hurt to water it. But the temps you're talking about and sun isn't to be concerned about. I hope your contractor covered it with insulating blankets if the temps are to dip below freezing.

[Heel n Toe]

The longer it takes to dry, the stronger it will be, so the best thing to do is to cover it with plastic for a week. Run somewhere first thing in the morning and buy enough plastic to cover it before the sun hits it.

Samoan Contractor Guy should've done it for you as part of the job.

Did he put expansion joints in it every 8 feet?

Did he put plastic underneath so the soil wouldn't suck the moisture out and dry it prematurely from below?

Did he install steel reinforcing mesh properly?

Did he put some sawhorses or some other barrier out by the street so no one inadvertently drives on it for a week?

[HardDrive]

Ugh, local weather says it could freeze tonight! We are inland, so generally we are about 5 degrees warmer, but still. There is nothing on the concrete now, its exposed.

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

The longer it takes to dry, the stronger it will be, so the best thing to do is to cover it with plastic for a week. Run somewhere first thing in the morning and buy enough plastic to cover it before the sun hits it.

Samoan Contractor Guy should've done it for you as part of the job.

Did he put expansion joints in it every 8 feet?
Yes
Did he put plastic underneath so the soil wouldn't suck the moisture out and dry it prematurely from below?
No, but the soil here in Seattle is very soggy this time of year
Did he install steel reinforcing mesh properly?
Yes
Did he put some sawhorses or some other barrier out by the street so no one inadvertently drives on it for a week?
Yes

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Ugh, local weather says it could freeze tonight! We are inland, so generally we are about 5 degrees warmer, but still. There is nothing on the concrete now, its exposed.

Hopefully you're okay on the temp, but you really should make a run to a few all-night grocery stores and buy about 57 rolls of Glad Wrap and cover that puppy up.


Seriously, just go get some plastic from Home Depot/Lowe's in the morning before the sun gets to it. If it's gonna take a while before you get back with it, you could set up a few sprinklers running a light mist over it while you're gone.

[911Rob]

Concrete guy here;

You're OK on both counts.
Around freezing temps (0C) aren't going to matter if its just mildly in the middle of the night; concrete gives off heat when curing and the slab will not freeze. very likely the concrete supply company provided 'winter heat' additive too.

Would be nice if you watered it a couple times tomorrow, but not necessary.
Don't drive on it for a week!
Water it a couple times each day.


Happy parking!

[p911dad]

I used to work with highway engineers pouring bridge decks, and the new surface was always covered with plastic sheeting. PS, they let it cure for 30 days to get max strength, but you probably have no plan to drive multiple semi's on it

[azasadny]

Water it, the slower the concrete cures, the stronger it will be!