The shelf life of cement is 3 months – When cement comes in contact of moisture, it undergoes a process called Hydration. This makes it crucial to protect cement from moisture even within the 3 month period. This is why it is important to store cement carefully and prevent it from coming in contact with moisture. Below are points to keep in mind when storing cement –
1.Keep cement in dry, leak-proof and moisture-proof environment.2.Doors and windows must be kept closed.3. Bags must be stacked on a wooden plank or on a strong tarpaulin at 6 inch above the ground.
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How do you store cement bags long term?
Make sure that you arrange the cement Bags in such a way that, you can take the cement bags first which is kept long time back. Don’t Store Cement bags for long time. Otherwise you need to rotate rearrange the bages at every week to avoid converting in to solid. What is the best way to store dry cement? All cement is dry.
Why cement storage is important for construction?
2. Duration of Cement Storage – Time of storing is also a factor that affects the cement especially its strength. Longer the time reduces the strength of cement. It is preferred that the cement should not be stored for more than 3 months. However, if it is stored more than 3 months the strength of cement should be tested before using it.
| Period of storage | Fresh stage | 3 months | 6 months | 1 year | 5 years |
| % Reduction in strength at 28 days | 0% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% |
If the cement is stored for longer time and strength is found to be reduced, then it is not good for construction. But however, it can be reactivated by different methods like vibro grinding etc. vibro grinding improves fineness quality of long period stored cement and make it fit for the constructional purpose. 
What happens if cement is stored too long?
2. Duration of Cement Storage – Time of storing is also a factor that affects the cement especially its strength. Longer the time reduces the strength of cement. It is preferred that the cement should not be stored for more than 3 months. However, if it is stored more than 3 months the strength of cement should be tested before using it.
| Period of storage | Fresh stage | 3 months | 6 months | 1 year | 5 years |
| % Reduction in strength at 28 days | 0% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% |
If the cement is stored for longer time and strength is found to be reduced, then it is not good for construction. But however, it can be reactivated by different methods like vibro grinding etc. vibro grinding improves fineness quality of long period stored cement and make it fit for the constructional purpose.
What are the precautions for the storage of cement?
🕑 Reading time: 1 minute Proper precautions for the storage of cement such as duration and place of storage, arrangement, atmospheric moisture content etc. is necessary after the process of manufacturing and before using it in the construction site. Because the cement hygroscopic nature, the cement absorbs moisture from the atmosphere very actively and hardens like stone which cannot be used for constructional purpose. 
