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Yes, fiber concrete can crack, and contrary to popular belief, it will crack under similar forces to rebar-reinforced concrete. The difference is in how the crack spreads through the slab. When you exert pressure on a slab, the slab flexes downward, putting tensile forces on the bottom of the slab. In rebar concrete, a crack at the bottom will also quickly appear on the top surface. In fiber concrete, the fibers hold the two sides of that bottom crack together, making it less likely for the crack to form on the top surface.

It’s possible to pour concrete if the temperatures are expected to dip below freezing at night, but you need to take some special precautions before you do. Most importantly, you need to make sure your concrete won’t freeze, so the best thing to do is enclose the area and heat it. You should also make sure you’re using cold-weather concrete that’s designed for pouring in cold weather. Use accelerants to help speed up the curing process and avoid cold temperatures from resulting in weak concrete.

You will know concrete is fully cured after 28 days when the new concrete reaches its maximum strength. Follow the cure time information on the manufacturer’s label or ask your concrete pro about when your concrete is fully cured. You can drive your concrete once it’s partially cured, usually around seven days after it’s poured. After one week, the concrete is strong enough to hold up to regular-size vehicles.

Sealing the concrete before tiling is recommended to help it stand up against any water that may seep through the tiles or grout. After thoroughly cleaning the concrete with TSP, priming with a concrete primer will seal the concrete. Check the label on the primer to make sure it is also a sealant and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application.