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  • Drying Time for Concrete with Applied Finishes

Drying Time for Concrete with Applied Finishes

The drying time associated with applied finishes on a concrete slab is affected by a number of factors and can be shortened through the use of any or a combination of the following.

The top 5 ways to reduce the drying time for applied finishes on concrete are:

  1. Decrease the water:cement ratio of the concrete to between 0.40 and 0.45.
  2. Use a vapour retarder directly below and in contact with the concrete (ASTM E1745).
  3. Reduce the curing time (do not use a curing membrane).
  4. Protect the slab from environmental re-wetting.
  5. Minimize slab thickness.

Other important considerations:

  • Increase temperature and reduce the RH of the drying environment.
  • Avoid lightweight concrete aggregate mixes.

The pH of the concrete needs to be checked for compatibility with adhesives used for applied finishes (Note: the concrete surface pH will increase after surface preparation).

There is also a need to address the quantity of reinforcing steel in the concrete to overcome tolerance losses caused by normal drying shrinkage curling, which is increased through the use of an underside vapour retarder.

Further reading on this subject is available from ACI Committee 302.2R-06 “Guide for Concrete Slabs that Receive Moisture Sensitive Flooring Materials” and The Portland Cement Association “Concrete Floors and Moisture”.

Top Links


  • Specifier’s Guide to Interior Concrete Floors
  • Polished Concrete Re-finishing
  • Best Practices Guide
  • Superflat Floors
  • Tolerances
  • Concrete Purchasing
  • Granular Bases
  • Unreinforced Floors

Concrete Flooring Materials

  • Superflat Floors
  • Coloured Floors
  • Dry Shake Aggregate Hardeners
  • Green Floor Solutions
  • Joint Fillers
  • Liquid hardener/densifiers
  • Polished Concrete
  • Steel Fibres
  • Unreinforced Floors

Position Statement Documents

  • Position Statement Press Release
  • Concrete Purchasing
  • Floor Joint Fillers
  • Granular Bases
  • Standard Scope of Work
  • Tolerances

The Concrete Floor Contractors Association
PO Box 30021, RPO Dundas Neyagawa, Oakville, ON, L6H 7L8
Tel: (905) 582-9825  •  Fax: (416) 981-3913

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