Just realized that curing compound isn't always worth the hassle on small pours

Overheard a guy at the supply yard swearing by it for every job, but on a 4x4 patio pad I did near Eugene last month it actually sealed in too much moisture and caused flaking. Am I the only one who skips it on anything under 6 feet?

3 comments

3 Comments

gavincampbell19d ago

Totally feel you on that. I've definitely been burned before too.

hayden58719d ago

I'm with that guy at the supply yard actually. Had a 3x5 stoop at my dad's place in Portland last spring where I skipped the curing compound to save time and the whole thing ended up with these spiderweb cracks from drying out too fast in the sun. A 4x4 pad near Eugene is still 16 square feet of concrete that needs even moisture loss, and if you got flaking I'd bet the issue was bad finishing or too much water in the mix rather than the compound itself. The compound is cheap insurance, like 20 bucks for a gallon that covers a dozen small jobs, and I'd rather deal with wiping off residue once than patching a cracked surface for the next three years.

abby_henderson19d ago

That 3x5 stoop story from @gavincampbell is pretty telling, and I've definitely had those spiderweb cracks show up on a skipped job too.

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