Your concrete contractor is ready to commence work on your new project, just as the cold air gathers for its multi-month visit. Will cold weather affect your concrete surfaces?
When you have three consecutive days on which the average daily temperature is below 40.0 °F, or perhaps the temperature is less than 50.0° F for less than half of any of those days, concrete begins to be affected by the cold. Cold weather could have a devastating effect on concrete for different reasons.
Concrete changes from a liquid to a solid form through a chemical reaction termed as hydration. Crystallization process begins the moment water is mixed with concrete powder. The pace of the reaction is influenced by the temperature range of the concrete. If it is hot outside, the reaction moves along speedily. If it happens to be cold, it will slow down. The crystal usually grows for several months after the concrete is poured. The more crystals that grow up, the more powerful the concrete turn out to be. If the temperature goes down below 14 degrees Fahrenheit at the beginning of the life of new concrete, the crystals cease thriving. Crystal growth can start again immediately after the concrete reach over 14 degrees.
Concrete is required to create as many interior crystals as feasible to withstand pressures brought on by water that may freeze within the concrete. It has to reach a minimum total intensity of 500psi to protect against freeze destruction. Under normal temperature ranges, concrete can accomplish that minimum strength within a twenty-four hour period. In cold weather, you have to trick the concrete into believing it is warm outside.
Some measures need to be taken if you are to pour concrete in cold temperatures successfully, so make sure to read the following list below and be sure you concrete contractor follows these rules.
- Do not pour concrete on a freezing surface, compacted snow, or an ice pack. Thawing soil can bring about cracks in the concrete. Make use of concrete curing blankets for ground thawing well in advance.
- Be certain the concrete is procured with a minimal slump (drier mix). This helps minimize bleed water.
- After the last finishing is done, cover the concrete with a concrete curing blanket. The warmed blankets are going to stop freezing while keeping the concrete at the ideal curing temperature.
- After three days, take off the blankets to enable the concrete to air-dry.
Almand Bros offers a flexible approach to curing concrete in the cold months. Save money and time by protecting your business and home from the havoc of cold weather. We are the prestigious South Jersey Concrete Contractor. Whether your project is big or small, complex or simple; we got you covered so call Almand Brothers today!