Technical Data

• Dampen the sub-grade before concrete is
placed. Do not leave standing puddles
• Shovel or place the concrete into the form. Fill
to the full depth of the form
• After the concrete has been compacted and
spread to completely fill the forms, strike off and
float immediately
• To strike off, use a straight board (screed),
moving the edge back and forth with a saw-like
motion to smooth the surface. Then use a darby
or bull float to float the surface. This helps level
any ridges and fill voids left by the straight edge
• Cut the concrete away from the forms by
running an edging tool or trowel along the forms
to compact the slab edges
• Cut 1" (25.4 mm) control joints into the slab
every 6' - 8' (1.8 - 2.4 m) using a grooving tool
• Allow the concrete to stiffen slightly, waiting
until all water has evaporated from the surface
before troweling or applying a broom finish
Note - For best results, do not overwork the
material.
Finishing: Any standard concrete finishing
technique is acceptable for use with PRO-
FINISH QUIKRETE
®
5000 Concrete Mix.
Concrete can be hand troweled, power troweled,
broom finished or finished with other specialty
finishes.
Curing:
GENERAL
Curing is one of the most important steps in
concrete construction. Proper curing increases
the strength and durability of concrete, and a
poor curing job can ruin an otherwise well-done
project. Proper water content and temperature
are essential for good curing. In near freezing
temperatures, the hydration process slows
considerably. When weather is too hot, dry or
windy, water is lost by evaporation from the
concrete and hydration stops resulting in
finishing difficulties and cracks. Curing should
be started as soon as possible and should
continue for a period of 5 days in warm weather,
70 degrees F (21 degrees C) or higher, or 7
days in colder weather, 50 – 70 degrees F (10 -
21 degrees C).
SPECIFIC CURING NEEDS
QUIKRETE Concrete Sealer provides the
easiest and most convenient method of curing
concrete.
• Apply by sprayer or roller after the final
finishing operation when the surface is hard. The
surface may be damp, but not wet, when
applying curing compound. Complete coverage
is essential
• Other methods of providing proper curing
include covering the surface with wet burlap,
keeping the surface wet with a lawn sprinkler
and sealing the concrete surface with plastic
sheeting
• If burlap is used, it should be free of chemicals
that could weaken or discolor the concrete. New
burlap should be washed before use. Place it
when the concrete is hard enough to withstand
surface damage and sprinkle it periodically to
keep the concrete surface continuously moist
• Water curing with lawn sprinklers or hoses
must be continuous to prevent interruption of the
curing process
• Curing with plastic sheets is convenient. They
must be laid flat, thoroughly sealed at joints and
anchored carefully along edges
Precautions:
• Curing compounds should not be applied if rain
or temperatures below 50
o
F (10
o
C) are expected
within 24 hours. Curing with plastic or burlap
can cause patchy discoloration in colored
concrete. For colored concrete, wet curing or
the use of QUIKRETE Concrete Sealer (#8800)
is recommended
• Do not use curing compounds during late fall
on surfaces where deicers will be used to melt
ice and snow. Using curing com-pounds at that
time may prevent proper air drying of the
concrete, which is necessary to enhance its
resistance to damage caused by deicers.
• Protect concrete from freezing during the first
48 hours. Plastic sheeting and insulation
blankets should be used if temperatures are
expected to fall below 32
o
F (0
o
C).
Warranty
The QUIKRETE® Companies warrant this
product to be of merchantable quality when used
or applied in accordance with the instructions or
applied in accordance with the instructions
herein. The product is not warranted as suitable
for any purpose or use other than the general
purpose for which it is intended. Liability under
this warranty is limited to the replacement of its
product (as purchased) found to be defective, or
at the shipping companies’ option, to refund the
purchase price. In the event of a claim under this
warranty, notice must be given to The
QUIKRETE® Companies in writing at Atlanta,
GA 30305. The limited warranty is issued and
accepted in lieu of all other express warranties
and expressly excludes liability for consequential
damages.