Cement should always be kept free from moisture and water. A cement storage shed should have a finished floor raised at least 150 mm from ground level and should have airtight doors and windows.
At site, cement should be kept on a raised platform, covered under tarpaulin. As cement deteriorates with time, the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) method should be adopted in its use. Also cement should be used within 2-3 months from the date of manufacture.
Cement is a hygroscopic construction material. It reacts with moisture (either in liquid or in vapor form) quickly. In presence of moisture, cement undergoes chemical reaction termed as hydration. Once the hydration process has taken place, cement becomes useless. Cement can remain in good condition as long as it does not come in contact with moisture. Moisture is a big enemy of cement and hence cement bags never stored for a long period.
Indian standard specifies that cement may be rejected if it fails to meet the requirements specified in IS 8112 – 2013. If cement bag is more than three months old, then cement should be tested for its strength before being taken into use.
Under following conditions, it is necessary to test the cement,
- If the cement bags are stored at vendor warehouse or site for more than three months from date of manufacture.
- If cement is stored in bulk at the factory for more than six months.
It is advisable to use fresh cement as possible. Uses of old cement can leads various problems such as the development of cracks, leakages, corrosion etc. It also increases the maintenance cost of your structure and it affects the life of the structure.
Reduction in Strength of Cement over time
Major cement manufacturer shave carried out research and development and evidently confirms that cement losses its strength over period of time and it is described in table below:
| Period | Reduction in Strength |
| 3 Months | 20% |
| 6 Months | 30% |
| 12 Months | 40% |
| 24 Months | 50% |