How long do you need to wait for cement to dry? Read on to learn about drying, setting, and curing times, plus the factors that affect how long you have to wait.
Cement and concrete are essential to building projects – and even minor repairs.
While people are often focused on project and house renovation costs, timelines matter, too.
So, how long should you leave concrete and cement to dry? The answer depends on a variety of all-important factors.
In the following guide, we will cover exactly how long cement takes to dry, as well as any factors that affect drying time.
Let’s get started.
Before we get into it, let’s talk about an important distinction.
While many people use the words “cement” and “concrete” interchangeably, they are not the same thing.
Cement is a powdery substance that acts as a binder when mixed with water. It is the main component of concrete.
Concrete, on the other hand, is an aggregate, and more durable than cement. That is because it’s a mixture of cement, water, sand, and gravel or crushed stone.
This hardiness makes it a popular for larger constructions – it’s one of the UK’s best driveway materials, for example.
Considering concrete costs per m3 and its reputed longevity, it's also considered a highly cost-effective option.
If you're planning on using this material, it's relatively easy to learn how to make concrete, too.
There are three stages when it comes to cement drying. Let’s take a look at each of them so you can fully understand the process:
Drying: this is the evaporation of water from the surface of the material
Setting: this is when the cement or concrete hardens and is firm enough to walk on
Curing: finally, the material strengthens and reaches its load-bearing capacity
It takes different amounts of time for each of these processes to happen. In the following sections, we’ll take a look at each of the stages and how long they take.
You now know the difference between cement and concrete, and the differences between drying, setting, and curing.
Just like with how long plaster takes to dry, understanding concrete and cement drying times is crucial for ensuring your project moves ahead smoothly.
Let’s look at how long these processes actually take.
How long does cement take to dry?
If you’re embarking on a DIY project, you need to know how long cement takes to dry – that is, unless you're considering alternative approaches, like laying a patio without cement.
Cement typically dries within 24 to 48 hours.
At this point, you will see that the cement looks dry. However, it has not yet set or cured. That means you shouldn’t walk on it or put weight on it.
Factors influencing cement drying time
There are several reasons cement might take longer or less time to dry than expected. Here are the key influences:
Higher temperatures and low humidity speed up drying
Colder, damp conditions can slow the drying process
Different cement mixes may affect drying time
Thicker layers of cement naturally take longer to dry
Cement may dry faster outside than inside
You can sometimes glean how long cement is likely to take to dry by reading the manufacturer’s instructions.
How long does concrete take to dry?
Concrete takes a similar amount of time to dry. So, you can expect it to dry within 24 to 48 hours. However, concrete continues to strengthen and harden long after it appears dry.
If you're having concrete installed professional, the experts can advise you on waiting periods.
Pro tip: interested in a concrete driveway? Find out how much you'll need to pay with our guide on concrete driveway costs.
Factors influencing concrete drying time
With concrete, you’ll again find a few factors affect drying time:
High temperatures and dry conditions speed up drying time
Cool or wet weather may delay your concrete drying
Thicker slabs or surfaces take longer to dry than thinner ones
The ratios of cement, water, and other materials impact drying time
Higher water content in the mix also prolongs the drying process
You should keep these factors in mind as you’re preparing to pour concrete.
How long does cement take to set?
Once cement has dried, you need to wait for it to set. As a general rule, you should wait around 6 to 12 hours for light foot traffic and up to 24 hours for heavier use.
The same factors that affect drying influence setting time. These include the weather and cement composition.
For instance, setting times are typically shorter in hot weather and longer in cold conditions. Always keep that in mind when waiting for your cement to set.
How long does concrete take to set?
Concrete generally takes longer to set than cement. That is because it includes more elements than cement. The average setting time is 24 to 48 hours for light foot traffic.
For more significant loads, such as vehicles or heavy machinery, it’s better to wait at least a week. Plus, once the concrete has set, you will need to wait longer for the material to cure.
How long does cement take to cure?
The final stage of the drying process is curing. This is the point when the cement reaches its maximum strength.
It takes around 28 days for cement to fully cure. Despite this, the cement will reach around 70% of its full strength within the first week of drying.
How long does concrete take to cure?
Concrete, like cement, takes around 28 days to fully cure. For most construction projects, after the first week, concrete can handle significant loads.
However, it’s savvy to wait the full 28-day period before using the concrete.
For example, when you’re paving a driveway or laying a concrete floor, you’ll want to wait as long as possible before regular use.
Now that you understand how long it takes cement and concrete to dry, let’s review the key factors to consider.
Here are the main things that will impact the overall drying time.
Weather conditions
If the cement or concrete is drying outside, the weather will play a vital role in how quickly it dries.
High temperatures speed up the evaporation of water, which means that the cement will dry and set faster. On the other hand, cool weather will slow down the drying process.
Similarly, if the humidity is high – for example, during the summer months – the air will be full of moisture. This can slow down the drying process of your cement or concrete.
Rain can also add extra moisture to the mix, which means that the drying could take longer.
Concrete ratios
When you’re using concrete, the mixture ratio will impact how long it takes to dry.
There’s a simple way to understand this. The more water there is in the mixture, the longer the concrete will take to dry.
If there are additives or admixtures, such as retarders, accelerators, or plasticisers in the concrete, these may also affect the overall drying time.
Thickness of concrete
Again, this factor only applies to concrete. The thickness of the layer or slab will influence how long it takes to dry.
Thicker applications will naturally take longer to fully set than thinner ones.
Type of material
You can get different types of cement and concrete. Different compositions take different lengths of time to dry.
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the common types:
Portland cement: this cement typically takes 24 to 48 hours to set
Fast-setting cement: as the name implies, this cement tends to dry faster than average
Concrete grade: higher-grade concrete may dry and cure faster than low-grade mixes
Project size and scale
How big is the project you’re working on? Large-scale projects, such as foundations, will take more time to fully cure because of the volume of concrete involved.
For projects like these, you might prefer to hire concrete contractors, who have the time, machinery, and manpower to handle extensive work.
Of course, small repairs or minor concrete work takes less time. These small projects can dry and set in a matter of hours, with minimal curing time.
Finishing techniques
The way you finish the concrete or cement can affect drying times. Over-trowelling traps water near the surface of the material.
This approach can slow down the drying process.
If you are applying curing compounds, this will also retain moisture which can lead to slower surface drying.
However, this finishing technique often gives you better strength overall.
Are you in a hurry? When you need to speed up your concrete drying time, there are some tips you can use.
While it’s important to allow the right amount of time for concrete to gain its strength, there are some strategies you can use to accelerate the process.
Here are some effective tips.
Use fast-setting cement
These mixes set and cure more quickly than standard cement.
If you need to complete repairs quickly or have a fast-turnaround project, it’s worth using this type of cement.
Add less water to the mixture
Using a lower water-to-cement ratio can speed up the drying time. However, balance is everything. Too little water can weaken the material.
You should always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the mix when preparing it.
Add accelerating admixtures
Accelerating admixtures, such as calcium chloride, can speed up the setting and curing process.
Put simply, they reduce the time it takes for the concrete to harden and gain strength.
Ventilate the area properly
Airflow around the concrete helps evaporate moisture more quickly.
If you’re working in an enclosed space, use fans or open windows to help the cement or concrete to harden.
Try using a dehumidifier
If there are high levels of humidity, it will slow down the drying process. In enclosed spaces, try using a dehumidifier to deal with this problem.
The machine will reduce the amount of moisture in the air, which gives your concrete or cement a better chance of drying fast.
Looking for more information before starting your project? Get the answers you're seeking by reading on below.
What happens if I don’t let concrete cure properly?
If you don't know how to lay bricks, you can expect a shoddy wall. And, just like that, if you don't know how to lay concrete and let it cure properly, poor results will follow.
Here's what insufficient curing can lead to:
Surface cracking
Poor load resistance
Shortened lifespan
Even if the surface appears dry, the internal strength is still developing. Patience during the curing stage is critical for long-lasting results.
Is rain a problem when drying cement or concrete?
Yes, much like you'll find when learning how to render a wall, rain can be a problem when drying cement or concrete, too.
Rain can:
Add extra moisture to the mix
Prevent the surface from setting properly
Cause cracks or weak points
Always check the weather forecast and use protective sheeting or delay the pour if needed.
Should I hire a professional for concrete work?
For large pours, load-bearing areas, or structural projects, yes – we certainly recommend hiring a builder or specialist.
While novices can DIY tasks laying concrete and learning how to skim a wall, they're unlikely to match professional standards.
Professionals have the tools and knowledge to ensure proper mixing, drying, and long-term durability.
Pro tip: if you're laying concrete on the ground, preparing the area and doing the pour are challenging tasks.
Consider hiring a professional by looking into how much groundworks cost – it could save you lots of time and frustration.
Cement and concrete take up to 48 hours to dry. However, you need to wait longer for these materials to set and cure.
Use the strategies we have shared in this guide to speed up the drying process. Whether you’re working on a big project or a small repair, there are some easy ways you can help your cement to dry.
Having trouble with your cement or concrete projects?
Remember, on Yell, you can always lean on the top-rated builders near you for help. Either start browsing local profiles or post a free enquiry to let the experts get in touch with you.
For more DIY advice, cost guides, and money-saving tips, check out the Yell blog now.
