Concrete is one of the strongest building materials we have, and it’s been around for thousands of years. While engineers have changed how concrete is made over the years, and worked to strengthen it and improve its lifespan, it’s still not indestructible. One of the biggest opponents of strong, durable concrete is moisture. Since we can’t control moisture in the air, we’ll be focusing on the internal moisture used to make the concrete. We’ll share why moisture content matters and how it affects the lifelong strength of your concrete. For more, visit our website.
The Chemical Reaction
Concrete we use today is made and cured with a chemical reaction. This occurs among cement, water, an aggregate, and any additives used in the mixture. As the concrete dries, the reaction occurs. This reaction actually takes place over a long period of time after the concrete is safe to use.
Water and Concrete
While water is necessary to the mixture of concrete, an improper ratio can cause the whole batch to go awry. That’s why it’s important to hire professionals to do your concrete work, especially if it’s something that you want to last a long time or that will hold a significant amount of weight, like a driveway.
Too much water in the ratio leads to weak, unstable concrete. While it may seem like warmer temperatures leading to quicker drying can seem like a good thing, in reality, excess water evaporation can cause problems with the surface cure. If you try to apply coatings on a concrete surface that has had excess evaporation, they may bubble, discolor or crack. Water-starved concrete during curing leads to weak and substandard concrete.
Water is one of the most important parts of concrete, but can also be its enemy if not used properly. Sound complicated? We’re here to help. Visit our website to get a free quote from us for your next project, whether big or small.