How do you wet cure concrete? There are a number of different methods to wet cure concrete effectively. What method you use depends on the type of concrete project you have. If you are working with a concrete slab or sidewalk, you may want to use a plastic tenting method. If your project is a much smaller scale, for example a concrete garden plaque or small stepping stone, you could wet cure the piece fully submerged in water.

Learn why wet curing is good for concrete and how to do a wet cure process - when to start it, how long it takes, is there any real benefit, and see a quick demonstration.

A concrete mix (cement, sand, gravel, and water) uses the water component to begin the actuation or hardening process of the portland cement. Through this chemical process, along with regular evaporation, the water is used up from within the concrete. Water lost too quickly puts stress on the newly hardening concrete that it can not withstand and will often begin to crack.

Wet curing prevents water loss and gives the chemical process of actuation the moisture content it needs to cure the concrete to its fullest strength. Concrete that has not been wet cured will still be very strong, but it is more likely to fail early compared to concrete that has been wet cured.

There are certain types of concrete, more specifically concrete admixtures and additives, that should not be subjected to wet curing methods. Often, when an acrylic or latex admixture has been added to the concrete mixture, it is not wet cured because they need to dry initially in order to work properly.

Wet curing will substantially increase the finished strength of most concrete projects, regardless of the size. It is not suitable for all concrete applications, but is well suited for concrete castings, smaller concrete statuary and other items.

00:00-00:37 - Introduction
00:37-01:40 - What does wet curing concrete mean?
01:40-02:31 - Advantages of wet curing concrete
02:31-03:25 - When to add water for wet curing
03:25-04:14 - Cure concrete castings under water
04:14-05:37 - Demonstration
05:37-07:30 - When to NOT use wet curing
07:30-08:16 - Conclusion

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