Customers often wonder if their concrete driveway or walkways can be poured in the winter. The answer is YES! - when using a trusted professional like Rooted in Nature. We know how to manage concrete in colder weather!
When concrete is being managed under cold weather, it must be protected from freezing shortly after being poured. Concrete must also be able to develop the required strength for the safe removal of forms, while reducing the circumstances where excessive heat must be applied to help concrete develop the required strength. One must also consider the proper curing conditions that both prevent cracking and provide the intended serviceability of the structure.
Tips for pouring concrete in cold weather
Follow these recommended steps to ensure that the concrete will obtain the required designed strength and that you don't have any other issues while the concrete is setting in cold weather.
Prior to pouring, define the strategies that will be used including: materials, forms, testing, and other requirements.
Schedule and determine the cold weather protection measurement of the concrete mix.
Keep a well-defined temperature record chart, including concrete temperature and exterior temperature.
Never pour concrete over frozen ground, snow, or ice. Use heaters to thaw the ground before pouring concrete.
Determine if special considerations and strength requirements must be met; if so, protect concrete at specific temperatures.
Cold weather concrete should have the correct amount of air-entrained voids that will resist freezing and thawing effects.
Concrete in cold weather is recommended to have a low slump and minimal water-to-cement ratio, to reduce bleeding and decreases setting time.
Use concrete-curing blankets to prevent freezing and keep the concrete at an optimal curing temperature.
Use insulation blankets or heated enclosures to maintain concrete temperatures above 50° degrees Fahrenheit for three to seven days.
Request a heated mix or order 100 pounds of extra cement for each cubic yard of concrete. This extra cement helps develop early strength.
Maintain the concrete temperature above 40° degrees Fahrenheit for at least four more days after the use of the insulation blankets or heated enclosures.
Do not seal freshly placed concrete until it has bleed and the setting process has begun.
For help with your next Maryland winter concrete project, contact the professionals at Rooted in Nature at 443-846-0199 or info@rootedinnaturemd.com.
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