Whether you are putting in a new concrete driveway, pavers, or a new garage floor, pouring concrete in cold weather can be tricky. You will need to work with a team of concrete contractor Pasadena professionals and have the right tools to ensure the concrete does not freeze over before it is ready. But worry not, there are efficient, tried, and tested tips that can help you preserve and pour your concrete even in cold weather.
Concrete preparation tips
Before you get to curing concrete in cold weather, your concrete contractor Pasadena will advise you on how to preserve it to avoid freezing. Some of the techniques you can use to prepare it include;
• Maintain proper concrete temperatures of about 65 degrees Fahrenheit by preheating either the water or the aggregate.
• Type III Portland cement is often used during cold weather to help in setting the concrete without lowering its quality.
• Increase the amount of cement used or use a chemical admixture to speed up the process.
• Using slag cement or fly ash can slow down the process or produce poor results because of slow setup and less internal heat.
Tips for pouring concrete according to concrete contractor Pasadena experts
What you do during the pouring of concrete can also help its curation process. Temperature is a vital factor when it comes to the placement and protection of concrete. ACI 306 has covered all the temperature requirements for concrete for both cold and warm weather.
• Ensure that your crew can work longer hours since the concrete will take longer to reach its first set.
• Ensure you have 6-foot windbreakers on site to protect the workers and concrete from winds and rapid temperature drops.
• Create enclosures using wood, polythene, or taps and heat them using electric heaters to warm the air and maintain the temperatures.
Curing concrete in cold weather tips
The last step is the curing of concrete. To maintain maximum efficiency during the cold weather, you can;
• Leave forms in for longer since they retain heat and prevent fast drying
• Incorporate live steam around your enclosure to keep the concrete moist for longer
• Use an infrared temperature gun to observe and maintain the temperatures at a constant 40 degrees Fahrenheit as the concrete cures.
• Study the ACI 308 recommendations for how long different types of concrete should cure and ensure that you adhere to them for quality purposes.
• Be ready to deal with more bleed water since concrete cured in clod weather tends to bleed more than typical concrete
• To lengthen the lifespan of concrete and ensure it maintains its quality, apply a breathable sealant after the concrete is cured.
Call J&A
When pouring concrete in cold weather, you need to find and work with the best concrete contractor Pasadena has. J&A services offer long-lasting, durable, and dependable concrete results even in cold weather. They are well-equipped to handle the situation for optimum results. By choosing to work with them, you can maintain the quality of your project and get your money’s worth.