Water cured slab and densifier/sealers

[Diesel Dan]

This is a new construction slab just under 40' x 72', 4-5" thick, 3500 psi, hard troweled finish on 10 mill plastic barrier. Will be a working shop exposed to petroleum products, rolling heavy equipment, dropping transmissions etc.

Questions on timing for curing/sealing.

Once poured I plan to water (pond, flood) cure the slab.
After water curing for 7 days the slab should be 50% stronger, will a spray on densifier/sealer do much more to toughen the surface?

When to apply densifier, before or after water curing?

Do I flood the slab right after the final finishing is done or wait ** amount of time?

 

[tlmartin84]

Typically any type of coating states to wait 28 days.

7 days for the wet cure is great if you can maintain it, typically it has reached the majority of its strength in the first 24 hours. We typically reduce curing to 3 days.

Flooding the slab is a "wait and see" approach. Typically once the final power trowelling is done it is hard enough that the water won't affect it. It just need to make sure it is set up enough that you don't leave water marks..........

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Densifier can be applied immediately. It is water based and soaks in, nothing to peel or fail.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Thanks for the info!