There can be several things to do during this time of year – pouring concrete may not be the first thing on your mind, but it can be essential!
You may have experienced the woes of pouring concrete in winter – struggling with insulated tarps, waiting for concrete to cure, and daydreaming about hot bathtubs. Don’t let subfreezing weather get you down! This blog post by Action Construction Asphalt & Concrete gives you tips on pouring concrete in Dallas, TX, during the winter for excellent results with minimal breakage or cracking!
How Does Cold Affect Concreting?
Before moving further, it is crucial to understand how cold temperatures can affect concrete. The main concern with concreting in cold weather is its potential to freeze. When concrete freezes, tiny ice crystals form and grow, which can cause the concrete to crack.
Before You Pour
In the winter, it’s critical to prepare the pour site ahead of time. Take the time to insulate your framework. Frost blankets will keep the subgrade from freezing, so your concrete won’t shatter when it thaws.
For interior projects, you may also need to use a space heater. This will keep the pour site warm, ensuring that the air temperature is acceptable before dispatch, during, and after the pour.
If you’ve prepared for the concrete by keeping the pour location insulated, go ahead and pour it as soon as possible. This is usually done to avoid an early set of the mix. Pouring it quickly after arrival helps ensure that the mixture does not lose more heat than expected, allowing it to stay at a pleasant temperature for longer in the winter.
Remember never to pour concrete on frozen ground. If the location for your pour has solidified before being delivered, make sure it’s thawed and brought to a suitable temperature before you start.
After The Pour
The period immediately following the pour is crucial. When the concrete reaches a temperature of approximately 5°C, it will take longer to set—because of this, keeping the ambient temperature high and avoiding a low-freezing situation is critical.
On the third day, check the ambient temperature frequently and keep the concrete covered with a frost blanket for two days. Keeping it heated gives it an excellent chance to develop entirely unencumbered during this period. Fresh concrete that has frozen during this time will have considerably less strength, making the pour a failure; therefore, protect exposed surfaces and insulate where necessary.
Time to Cure
Curing comes last in the creation of concrete’s strength. It would help if you strived to keep a warm temperature without allowing the concrete to dry too quickly. It’s advisable to leave insulated forms in place for as long as possible and utilize insulating sheets to maintain the concrete at an ideal temperature and avoid freezing.
Action Construction Asphalt & Concrete, serving Dallas, TX, has a history of working on small and large paving projects. Working with us allows you to choose the best mix for your project, regardless of size or scale, and we offer advice on pouring techniques in extreme conditions. Get a free quote now.
