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Poured concrete should be set and hard to the touch within 24 to 48 hours, although it depends on the humidity in the air, the thickness of the concrete, and the type of concrete. It’s best to leave concrete to set for three days before exposing to foot traffic or stress. Concrete takes between 20 and 30 days to cure and reach its peak strength, so for foundations and retaining walls, plan to wait about a month before placing any load on your concrete.

Yes, concrete can set in rain, but it’s best if you pour concrete 4 to 8 hours before any rain to ensure it won’t impact its strength and appearance. Exposure to heavy rain during the early stages (the first 48 hours after pouring) can significantly reduce the structural integrity of the concrete. Over time, cracking is more likely due to softer concrete. 

Concrete can take up to 28 days to completely harden, depending on the type and its water content. But it dries enough for foot traffic in 24 to 48 hours. If you're curious about how long it takes concrete to dry entirely, the answer is more complex, so always check with the specific mixture instructions before adding heavy machinery or driving on new concrete.

The concrete that likely already makes up your garage floor is the longest-lasting garage floor material, although you can treat it with a variety of coverings to improve its durability. Epoxy is one of the most popular options, as it’s relatively affordable, adds strength to the floor, helps prevent staining and physical damage, and even improves the resistance to water intrusion. Other popular options for durable floor coverings include rubber, an aspartic coating, and vinyl.