How to Time Curing for Floors

Tile

• When installing tile, there are actually two curing times. The first is for the thinset mortar under the tile. In general, thinset mortar should cure for 24 to 48 hours. During this time, the thinset mortar is hardening and the floor should not be walked on. After the thinset has cured, you can apply the grout in between the tiles. Grout must cure for an additional 24 hours. The way to test the grout to see if it is cured is to press your fingernail into the grout. If you do not leave a mark, then the grout is cured.

Concrete

• Concrete takes much longer to cure than other surfaces. As a general rule, concrete should not be walked on for the first 48 hours. This is because the concrete is not even cured enough to set solidly. After the first 48 hours, the surface can be walked on, however, concrete is not considered fully cured until 14 days after spreading.

Concrete Stains

• Concrete stains are acid-based stains used to color freshly laid concrete. As a general rule, concrete stains should be applied 14 days after the concrete is laid, for the best stain color. Concrete stains are typically sprayed onto the concrete surface and must be left to cure for 24 hours. The process is then repeated and the second application is left for another 24 hours. After that, an alkaline solution and soap solution are applied to stop the chemical processes and wash away the extra stain. Overall, plan to stay off the flooring for three days while you are completing the project.

Epoxy Coating

• Epoxy coating is another type of flooring installation that requires a curing time. Epoxy is also tricky because on top of the curing time, there is a two-hour limit for applying all the layers. After the layers are applied, the floor cannot be walked on for 24 hours. Cars and furniture cannot be placed on the floor for 72 hours after application. At that point, the epoxy is completely solid.

Wood

• Hardwood floors are taken down to 7 percent moisture at the factory. The average moisture level of a home is 30 percent. The dry boards naturally absorb the extra moisture and swell slightly. Flooring manufacturers provide instructions on how to properly acclimate the wood to your home environment. Generally, to acclimate the boards, you'll need to open the packaging and stack the flooring in the center of the room three to five days before installation. Flooring that is stained and varnished on-site must also cure. The amount of time it takes depends on the temperature and humidity, though you should be able to walk on the surface a day or two after the final coat. Full curing can take up to four weeks.