Title: Concrete Q&A: Curing Decorative Concrete with Hydronic Heaters

Author(s):

Publication: Concrete International

Volume: 43

Issue: 3

Appears on pages(s): 80

Keywords:

DOI:

Date: 3/1/2021

Abstract:

Q: One of our customers has asked us to use a portable hydronic heating system to cure a pavement slab with a stamped and exposed aggregate finish. The system hoses would be placed on the concrete in a back-and-forth pattern, with a hose spacing of about 12 in. (300 mm) on-center. We plan on placing the hoses directly on the slab, followed by curing blankets, as soon as practical after we have finished stamping.

We have used portable hydronic heaters to cure plain gray concrete. They have worked well, but we are unsure if we should use one for curing decorative concrete. Will the hoses “shadow” onto the decorative concrete because of differential curing?