This is a frequently asked question on our social media pages. In short; concrete never fully sets.
In long: Cement reacts with water molecules when the concrete is initially mixed, which creates a strong chemical reaction and in-turn creates the grey stuff we know as wet concrete. However, from the very moment that chemical reaction takes place, the clock is ticking for that concrete to cure.
A good rule of thumb is 48 hours for it to cure enough for most residential or small-scale applications. But what about huge commercial foundations? This process involves testing the concrete for weeks until it’s reached a strength suitable for the weight it will hold.
Now, the strength of concrete relies heavily on the conditions it’s mixed in, and the conditions it lives in once it’s poured. Despite this, though, concrete will continue to perpetually get stronger, even decades after it’s poured.