How Long Does Concrete Take to Dry?

Typically, concrete takes around 24 to 48 hours to dry enough to walk on, but it takes up to 28 days until it is fully cured. However, this is just a rough guide, and there are a number of factors that impact drying time. 

At Chorley Concrete, as well as supplying a wide range of concrete mixes to customers across Wigan, Preston, Warrington and throughout the North West, our expert team can also advise on drying times to ensure your project runs as smoothly as possible. 

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at concrete drying times.   

Understanding the concrete curing process

Unlike some other substances, concrete does not simply go from wet to dry. The concrete curing process is a bit more complicated and happens over several stages. 

Let’s break it down:

• After 24 to 48 hours – Once concrete has been poured, you can walk on it fairly soon. This should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, however and should be kept as light as possible.
• After one week – At this point, the concrete will have achieved around 70% of the mix’s final strength, but heavy loads should still be avoided. 
• After 28 days – Usually, by this point, the concrete will have fully cured, and heavy loads can be installed on it. 

Factors that affect concrete drying times 

While the timeline outlined in the section above is what can usually be expected, there are a few factors to bear in mind when it comes to how quickly concrete will dry. This includes:

• Temperature – Between 10℃ and 25℃ is considered to be the optimal temperature for concrete drying. Any colder than this and it can extend the drying time, whereas hotter temperatures can cause it to dry faster. While the latter might seem like a positive, it can actually cause the mix to crack. 

• Concrete thickness – If your mix needs to be particularly thick, the concrete can take longer to dry.

• Concrete type – Sometimes, different types of concrete have different drying times. At Chorley Concrete, we supply a range of mixes from ready-mix concrete to volumetric types. Our team will be able to advise on drying times when you make a purchase. 

• Moisture content – The more moisture a concrete mix has, the longer it’ll take to set, as it’ll take longer for the water content to evaporate. 

Can you make concrete dry faster?

Yes, there are ways you can accelerate the drying time of concrete. This includes:

• Use additives – Sometimes, additives can be added to your concrete mix that are specifically designed to make it dry at a faster rate.
• Reduce the water content – Water is a key ingredient of concrete, but adding less into the mix can cause it to dry faster, as less moisture will need to evaporate. However, make sure to seek advice so that you do not have a detrimental impact on the final quality and strength of your concrete. 
• Pour in warmer weather – The higher the temperature, the faster your concrete will dry. Choosing a dry, warm day can accelerate timelines, but do not pour concrete if it is especially hot. While unlikely in the UK, sometimes the temperature does go beyond 30℃ in the summer months, and this can cause the concrete to crack.

At Chorley Concrete, we’re more than just your reliable concrete suppliers. We offer an all-encompassing service, and our friendly team of experts can offer advice and guidance regarding your next project. This includes advising on drying times, so if you need any support, just let us know. Contact our team today to find out more or to get a free quote.