How Long Ready Mix Concrete Takes to Set

Ready mix concrete doesn’t cure all at once. It goes through a number of stages and knowing what to expect at each stage will help you to plan ahead and avoid expensive mistakes.

The Initial Set Window

If the ready mix concrete is left to set, the initial set will occur within about 90 minutes of the drum turning on the ready mix concrete lorry. This does not mean that the concrete has set and can now be left to harden. In fact, it will still be workable within the first one to two hours after pouring. Therefore, you will have time to complete any of the finishing work, such as levelling and edging.

When Foot Traffic Is Safe

It is usually 24 to 48 hours before the surface is hard enough for light foot traffic to walk across it. However, it will be soft and easily mark if tools are dropped on it or heavy objects dragged across it.

When Vehicles Can Use the Surface

Allowing vehicles to drive on new concrete slabs needs to wait for at least 7 days for cars, and closer to 28 days for heavier vehicles such as 40 tonne loaded plant.

The 28-Day Cure Benchmark

By day seven the concrete will have reached 70% design strength and by day 28 it will have reached full design strength and be ready for use under structural loads whether for domestic driveway uses or for commercial use as a hardstanding area.

How UK Weather Affects Setting

For cold, damp conditions typical of the UK, the concrete’s setting will be delayed greatly. At temperatures below 5°C, the concrete’s hydration process will nearly cease. This means that concrete poured in winter will require insulating covers or even heated enclosures until it has set. Concrete contractors that regularly complete Concrete Gloucester projects will understand the relevance of this to wet winters in wet counties like wet Gloucestershire.

There is more on Concrete Gloucester at www.monstermixconcrete.co.uk/.

Remember to plan for the concrete to set and you will have a strong and lasting slab.