Concrete is an instrumental material that you can use in many different ways. And roadwork is one place where this material is used a lot and is in high demand.
If you’ve ever seen footprints or handprints in dry concrete, you’ve probably guessed correctly that people started to walk on it before the construction was finished.
One thing that can’t be changed is that you can’t drive on a new concrete driveway for a day or two after pouring it.
This is because the concrete doesn’t dry immediately after it’s poured. Various factors, such as temperature, weather, and the additives used, affect how long it takes for concrete to dry.
Timeline for Protecting New Concrete
Remember that the more-extended time concrete has to set, the stronger it becomes. A few hours is all it takes for concrete to cure and become strong enough to support a person’s weight.
You’ll want to know the waiting time before you can walk on your property after adding new concrete. Here is a schedule of when your new concrete will be ready for people to walk on.
After a Few Hours
Fresh concrete will start to harden immediately, and in just a few hours, it will be strong enough to hold some weight. But at this point, the concrete is still in a weak state.
This is because even though the surface looks and feels dry, it is still wet underneath. Even if you are careful, you can still leave marks on the concrete. At this point, it’s best not to walk on it.
After 24 Hours
You can walk on your new concrete after 24 hours. At this point, standard concrete should be fine for regular foot traffic. However, you should use caution so as not to scratch the surface of the new walkways.
After a Week
After a week, it is okay to let most types of traffic on new concrete without worrying that it will leave marks. Even smaller cars can drive on concrete that has been there for a week.
After a Month
After a month, the concrete is as strong as it can get. If you’ve been taking good care of your new concrete so far, it should last a very long time before you consider replacing it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Walk on Concrete After 12 Hours?
Before stepping on your newly poured concrete, you should wait at least twenty-four hours. If you step on it before the recommended time, it may break.
Can I Walk on Concrete After 3 Days?
After anywhere from 24 to 48 hours, you should be able to walk on your concrete without leaving marks.
Can I Speed Up the Dry Time for My New Concrete?
Concrete works best when it has a long time to dry out. But if you want to walk on your new concrete as soon as possible, you can take some safe steps to speed up the process.
How Often Should You Water New Concrete?
The goal for the first 28 days is to keep the concrete wet. Spray the slab with water 5–10 times a day or as often as possible for the first 7 days after installation.
