Cold Weather Concreting Questions You Should Consider

Placing concrete in cold weather conditions is trickier in comparison to the summers. If you are a contractor and you’re skeptical about how you should handle concrete in cold weather then let’s take a look at a few things to consider so you avoid any mistakes.

Placing Concrete In Winters

The most important thing you need to consider during winters is placing a slab of concrete on a cold floor. If the ground underneath is frozen, it affects the concrete curing process and could develop cracks over time. If you want concrete to stay firm on the ground and last for a long time you need to ensure that the slab you place is not on frozen ground. You need to look for a firm piece of land to place it. Placing concrete on frozen floor can also lead to major mishaps because this can result in the entire slab slipping off or cracks forming in the structure of the foundation.

Freezing Concrete

Once you place your concrete on the floor, your job is not completed. For concrete to cure properly it needs to stay warm. This is why you should try and maintain a temperature of at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit for it to be effective. Concrete freezes at minus 4 degree Celsius or 25 degrees Fahrenheit so when you lay concrete, make sure the surface is warm and the concrete should be kept warm for the job to be done effectively. There are a large variety of concrete temperature checking machines available so you should invest in one to ensure your concrete is not too cold.

Keep Your Tools Warm

To ensure you get the job done correctly, you also need to focus on keeping your tools warm. If your tools and other building material are cold then it can affect the concrete and this could create problems in the curing process. To maintain the strength and integrity of a concrete slab you not only need to maintain the temperature of the slab but also of anything that comes in contact with it.

Using Heaters

As mentioned above, it is necessary for concrete to stay warm for it to set well. If the weather conditions are extremely cold then it would be a wise decision to take a portable heater along with you to keep the area warm enough for the concrete to cure properly. When using a heater, make sure that it heats evenly and it is not too hot so it can help the concrete get strong slowly but surely.

Sealing Concrete

There are a number of concrete sealers available in the market which makes it easy for your concrete to become more resilient and deal better with outside elements. When you place your concrete outside in cold weather and immediately apply a sealer, this could alter the temperature of the concrete slab and interrupt the curing process.
These are a few minor things that you should always focus on to ensure that your concrete cures well and it creates a strong foundation, irrespective of the weather conditions. Take your time to understand what works best with the concrete slab and get the job done the right way rather than the fast way.