Concrete has a short working season in South Dakota, and the first week and the first winter matter more here than in mild climates.
How long does concrete take to cure?
Concrete reaches most of its design strength in about 28 days. It is hard enough to use much sooner. Curing is not drying. The slab gains strength by keeping its moisture, so we cover it or spray on a curing compound. In cool spring and fall weather strength comes more slowly, so allow extra days.
How long before I can walk on new concrete?
You can walk on new concrete after 1 to 2 days in normal weather. Keep dogs, bikes and patio furniture off a little longer, since claws and narrow legs can mark the surface. In cold weather give it more time.
How long before I can drive on new concrete?
Wait about 7 days before you drive on new concrete with a car or pickup. Keep heavy vehicles such as a loaded trailer, a camper or a delivery truck off it for about a month. Avoid turning the steering wheel while standing still in the first weeks, and stay off the edges.
How long does it take to pour a driveway?
Most driveways take 1 to 2 days of tear-out and base preparation and one day to pour and finish. Add the week of curing before you park on it. Weather, a wait for utility marks and any city permit can add days before the start.
Can concrete be poured in the rain?
Not in steady rain. Light rain before the truck arrives is no problem if the base is not muddy. Rain on the surface while it is being finished weakens the top. We watch the forecast, keep plastic on hand and move the date when storms are likely. Summer thunderstorms here build fast, so morning pours are safer.
Is it too hot to pour concrete in summer?
It is rarely too hot to pour here if the crew plans for it, but heat and wind together need care. A dry south wind on a 90 degree day pulls water from the surface before it can be finished. We start early in the day, dampen the base, keep the work moving and begin curing at once.
Can concrete be poured in cold or freezing weather?
It can be poured in cool weather with precautions, but not onto frozen ground, and it must not freeze while it is young. Concrete that freezes in its first day or two loses strength for good. Cold-weather work uses heated mix water, accelerators and insulated blankets. In Sioux Falls most outdoor flatwork stops once the ground starts freezing in late fall and starts again after the spring thaw.
What is the best time of year to pour concrete in Sioux Falls?
The best time of year is late spring through early fall, with May, June and September the most comfortable for curing. A slab poured by early fall has time to gain strength and dry out before its first freeze. Late October pours are possible but riskier. Schedules fill quickly once the ground thaws, so ask for an estimate in late winter.
Can I use salt or deicer on new concrete?
No deicer on new concrete during its first winter. Use sand for traction. After that, use deicer sparingly and never products that contain ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate, which attack concrete. Road salt carried in on tires does the same damage as salt you spread, so rinse the driveway and garage floor during winter thaws.
What should I do to get a new slab ready for its first winter?
Let it cure for at least a month, then apply a penetrating sealer on a dry day before freezing weather. Seal the joint at the garage and the house. Point downspouts and the sump discharge away from the slab so water does not pool and freeze on it. Shovel with a plastic blade.
Questions about your own schedule? Call (605) 633-5029.