A poured concrete slab foundation with a block foundation can last 100 years or longer, more than a lifetime, if properly designed. Termite testing of slab foundations will last 12 years as long as chemical barriers remain intact. It takes about seven days for concrete to reach 70% of its final required strength level (source). This corresponds to a level of strength suitable for starting to withstand loads such as the frame of a house.
A concrete floor is extremely strong and durable, and if properly installed and maintained, it can last as long as you own the home. And the design options are very diverse. But concrete is also very hard and cold underfoot, and is a practical option only when there is an existing concrete slab, such as in houses with slab foundations above grade, or in the basements of houses built on basement foundations. Since these ground-level floors are in direct contact with the ground, they may be susceptible to moisture migration from the ground into the living space.
Typically, the concrete is dry enough after 24 to 48 hours to walk on it. For concrete to dry and reach its maximum strength, it typically takes about 28 days per inch of slab thickness. Curing is the process of controlling the speed and degree of moisture loss of concrete during cement hydration. I like it when you pointed out that the reason concrete is slow to dry is because the water trapped in it needs to completely evaporate first.
Ambient relative humidity is important because it controls whether water can evaporate from the slab. Each project will vary slightly due to differences in climate, concrete mix, and laying and finishing techniques. During the drying process, rock-like hard crystals form within the concrete that firmly bind the sand and gravel components together. Whether it's pouring a new slab, retrofitting an existing slab, or pouring a cladding, concrete floors are often installed and finished by professionals, as the job is quite hard and requires special tools.
Slab foundations minimize the risk of damage from flooding or gas leaks, such as radon, from a basement or access space to the house. Here, the process involves pouring a thin layer of concrete onto a carefully prepared subfloor, and then applying the chosen coloring and polishing techniques. Cracking in concrete is almost inevitable over time, so placing these joints will help keep cracks less visible. There are three curing phases and the duration of each one depends on the concrete and environmental conditions.
However, even a very thin concrete layer is quite heavy, and the process often requires structural reinforcement of the wooden structure. Common mistakes in the construction of concrete floor slabs can be avoided with proper preparation of the base, mix design, laying, finishing and the. It is usually recommended to wait at least 28 days for concrete to cure, but there are systems that will allow you to proceed much earlier. When concrete is highly polished or polished, or when coated with a shiny sealant, the surface can be very slippery, especially when wet.