If all the pouring procedures were done accurately (see #5 for some possible problems) and you’re just looking to hurry the drying schedule, a number of possibilities are available:
- Reduce the water in the initial concrete mix. Your ability to do this will be limited by the admixtures specified.
- Incorporate a desiccant during batching. During the hydration process, some available materials, like silica fume, will absorb and retain initial mix water. Be sure to understand the risks and directions provided by the manufacturer.
- Don’t rush troweling. If a slab is hard troweled too quickly or too aggressively, it can lose its capacity to dry efficiently.
- Dehumidification relies on a number of different methods (desiccant-based, heat-based, condensation) to change ambient conditions and allow moisture to leave the slab more efficiently. In conjunction with dehumidification, air movement in the environment is critical.
The best option really is to plan the entire project to facilitate a faster drying schedule. As part of that, the Rapid RH can help monitor the actual results for informed decisions at every step.