How to Dry Out Concrete Ceilings

Add calcium chloride to the concrete mixture before creating the forms according to the package directions. Calcium chloride speeds up the drying time and is typically used to cure concrete poured in cooler temperatures, or those below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pour the concrete forms on a warmer day, if possible. Wait until the temperature where the concrete forms are being poured to reach at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If the forms are being created indoors, raise the room’s temperature to speed up the concrete’s curing time.

Install plastic sheeting over the cement ceiling. The plastic sheeting holds the concrete’s moisture in place, speeding up the curing time. Wet the concrete with a garden hose before attaching the plastic to the concrete forms with painter’s tape.

Lightly mist the concrete with water. This is another method that uses water, which bonds with the aggregate to form the solid material, to speed up the drying time. Use a garden hose for larger projects or a plastic spray bottle to mist water on concrete repairs.