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Concrete can cure in 24 hours if the temperature remains above 40 degrees, but it might take up to 48 hours for the initial curing if the temperature drops close to freezing. You can speed up the curing process in cold weather by using accelerants, or you can insulate the slab or enclose and warm the area with heaters.

Concrete can take years to fully settle, but interior concrete floors are mostly settled after a year. Shifting and settling can occur throughout your home’s life, but most major settling happens the first few years after the concrete is poured. It’s not uncommon for minor cracks to appear in concrete floors over time—check with a concrete pro to ensure new cracks don’t indicate a structural issue in your home.

Yes, concrete lasts much longer than other common building materials. For example, asphalt lasts between 15 and 30 years on average, a small fraction of concrete's 50- to 100-year life span. Stone pavers on driveways and patios will last between 20 and 25 years without major repair. In other words, concrete is your best bet for long-term investment and minimal upkeep.

Lally columns do require some kind of footing to ensure they have a strong enough base to provide the support they need to deliver, and, at the very least, they need to attach to the floor below. Some contractors will just use the existing foundation as a footing for temporary Lally columns, while some circumstances demand that the expert install a new footing. You might need a local structural engineer to weigh in on which is best for your project.