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Concrete cracks can occur at any time. Many cracks actually happen within a few hours or days of pouring the concrete because of mistakes made during the process; here are a few reasons for freshly poured concrete cracks.

If you’re nervous about causing cracks when pouring concrete, hire a pro to handle the work, rather than tackling it yourself. You can also prevent ongoing cracks by taking care of your concrete pathway or driveway with a little sealer. Here’s how often to reseal your driveway to reduce the risk of cracks.

Yes, you can drive on concrete after seven days. While doing so, take extra care around the edges of the freshly poured concrete surface, as these areas may not be as strong as the main concrete surface. You should also avoid driving heavy trucks and machinery on new concrete until it’s fully cured, 28 days after it’s poured.

The actual moisture level that is acceptable for your concrete floor depends on what primer or flooring material you plan to install above it. For this reason, you should check the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact details.

Generally, the moisture levels should be 3.5% to 4.5%, although it does vary. Some products can handle higher levels of moisture, so you should always test your concrete before purchasing your flooring materials.

You should water new concrete by spraying it five to 10 times per day for the first seven days. This process of moist curing allows the concrete to become as strong as possible to prevent cracks and weak concrete. Moist-cured concrete is 50% stronger than concrete that was not sprayed with water during the first week. The only exception is if you pour concrete in the winter. Then, spraying with water is not recommended.