Although workers in the construction industry would probably rather not have to do things like pour concrete when the temperature drops, work continues year-round. Variations in curing conditions, brought on by weather changes, cause concrete to gain strength in spurts. Constructors should start making plans well in advance of a weather change to ensure that newly poured concrete is adequately protected. In order to prevent delays and ensure the safe development of cold weather concrete, it is important to have the proper equipment on hand at the jobsite, such as tarps and blankets.

The curing process can be slowed down by cold weather, and the water in the concrete can freeze and expand, leading to cracks and weakened concrete. Eventually, the concrete may become so worn that it is no longer usable. It is important to warm fresh concrete until it reaches the proper compressive strength measurement, as it can freeze at 25°F (-4°C).

Knowing the dos and don’ts of cold weather concreting can save you from structural problems and delays while pouring concrete in the winter. When working with concrete in the winter, be sure to read up on these top concrete mistakes to avoid during the cold.

Pouring Concrete on Frozen Ground

The success of the curing conditions for your concrete depends on where you put your slab. When the ground thaws after being frozen, it can settle and crack the concrete. Fresh concrete near the ground cures more slowly than that near the surface; as a result, your slab will harden more quickly on top than at its base. Inadequate strength development in concrete exposed to varying temperatures can cause cracking and even the collapse of a structure.

If The Temperature of Your Concrete Drops Below Freezing

Allowing the Temperature of Your Concrete to Fall Below Temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) are recommended for curing frozen concrete. At 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 degrees Celsius), fresh concrete can freeze, so it is important to heat it until it reaches the desired compressive strength. A concrete temperature and maturity metre like SmartRock® can make this process more streamlined.

Relying on Cold Tools

The concrete may be the most important part of a construction site, but the tools and materials you use to construct it are just as crucial. The concrete could be damaged if the forms or tools were too cold. Because of this, the quality of your cold-weather concrete may suffer and the strength of your slab may not develop as quickly.

Mistaking Night for Day

The shorter days of winter mean less daylight hours. Effective time management is crucial, as falling behind schedule can cause a domino effect of additional issues. Light from the sun not only illuminates the world, but also causes temperatures to rise. Please refer to item #4 on this list if you need to pour concrete before or after normal working hours.

Avoiding Use of Heaters to Raise The Temperature of Concrete

For the curing and strengthening of concrete to continue, it must be kept at a constant temperature. Curing will stop altogether if your slab cools below the critical temperature. In order to ensure that the concrete continues curing and gaining strength, portable heaters deliver additional heat into the ground and directly on the concrete. Use caution when heating; overheating the concrete can weaken the structure.

Sealing Cold Weather Concrete in Bad Weather

In order to protect your concrete from the elements, you can use a concrete sealer. You should follow the manufacturer’s advice when shopping for a sealer if you plan on laying concrete in the winter. If the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), sealing is not recommended.

Not Using Real-Time Concrete Temperature Sensors

In order to produce high-quality concrete that satisfies the requirements of the thermal control plan, it is crucial to keep an eye on the temperature of the cold weather concrete. Failure to monitor the concrete’s strength development can lead to a number of common issues. Some examples of such issues are:

Early freezing of concrete, insufficient strength, rapid temperature changes, insufficient protection of the structure and its usability, and improper curing procedures are all potential issues.

Using real-time temperature sensors to keep concrete at the ideal temperature during the curing stages can prevent many of the issues associated with pouring concrete in the winter. For any mass concrete application in cold weather, it is crucial to ensure that the concrete does not freeze, that the temperature differential does not exceed a certain limit, that the maximum temperature does not exceed a certain limit, and that the concrete gains strength appropriately.

Use our convenient concrete calculator to quickly determine how much concrete you’ll need, then get in touch with us right away to reserve your time slot.