• Properly cured concrete is resistant to damage from weather.Design Pics/Valueline/Getty Images
  
  Hydration is the process through which water is used in the chemical reaction taking place in concrete to create a strong matrix of interlocking crystals. If too much water evaporates from the concrete while it is curing, a number of serious problems can occur. Concrete must be dried at a slow pace for proper curing.
  
  

Cracking and Shrinkage

• If too much water is mixed into concrete, it will cause excessive shrinking and cracks as it evaporates during the curing process. No matter how careful you are to cure the concrete properly, it will be weakened if too much water is added to the dry components during mixing. Keeping the water ratio at the proper level before pouring the concrete will prevent these issues from occurring.
  
  

Water Stains

• Water blankets, which are sheets of burlap or similar material placed over the concrete and kept wet, keep the moisture levels constant in the concrete as it cures. These blankets are the most common and best option for most concrete applications, but they can leave permanent water stains on the concrete if a wrinkle or air bubble is trapped between the material and the concrete. These water stains can ruin the look of decorative concrete. Only careful application of water blankets or the use of a special curing spray can prevent this problem.
  
  

Low or High Temperatures

• Pouring concrete during very low or high temperatures prevents the curing process from occurring naturally. According to the Concrete Network, hot days will cause fast evaporation of the water used in the curing process, while cold days may stop the hydration process altogether. Below-freezing temperatures could freeze the water in the concrete and cause serious cracks as well. Heaters can help prevent freezing, and water blankets may be used to protect against wind and high temperatures, but in many cases, the best option is to wait to pour concrete until the temperatures are right. This is especially true for large weight-bearing slabs like the foundation of a house.
  
  

Strength Reduction

• Much of the strength reduction that occurs in concrete while it is curing is due to the difference in conditions between the surface of the concrete and the interior. Curling occurs when the top of the concrete cures faster than the moist and warm layer below it, creating shrinking on the surface. This leaves small depressions, bowls or waves in the surface of the concrete that can be a hazard for vehicles and foot traffic. Keeping the surface equally moist while the whole slab cures fully prevents this problem.