Using Concrete In Cold Weather? Few Things You Should Avoid

concrete-in-cold-weather

Concrete is subjected to different curing conditions as the temperature fluctuates which makes the material gain sporadic strength. Contractors willing to protect fresh concrete have to take a bit of preparation before the climate changes. They should know the right equipment to be used at the job site like blankets and tarps. These help in preventing unsafe concrete development and avoid unnecessary delays.

concrete in cold weather

Working with concrete becomes a complicated task in Croydon as the outdoor temperature goes below 40 degrees F and the air temperature goes below 50 degrees F. Such being the situation, contractors should follow a few do’s and don’ts when using concrete. Negligence to do so can lead to structural problems and delay your project.

5 Mistakes To Avoid When Using Concrete In Cold Weather

  • Pouring The Material On Frozen Ground

Make sure you don’t pour concrete on to frozen ground even if you are in a hurry to complete your construction project. The effectiveness of the concrete curing conditions is largely dependent on how the concrete is poured and slabs are placed. It will take less time for the concrete near the surface to cure than the one close to the ground. The chances of the concrete cracking and structure disaster increases as the material can’t develop strength properly.

  • Sealing The Material When The Weather Is Cold

The primary objective of using concrete sealers is to make the material more resistant to external element and weather exposure. Construction workers using concrete in cold weather should use a sealer which has been specially designed for extreme weather conditions. Even if you are in a hurry, don’t seal concrete when the temperature is below 10oC.

  • Misjudging Daylight

The amount of daylight experienced by the people in Croydon becomes low during the colder months. Instead of running behind schedules, try to use your time wisely. If possible, pour and cure concrete during daytime as the temperature is warmer when there is an abundance of light.

  • Allowing The Material To Freeze

Concrete in Croydon can cure properly only if it is kept in warm temperatures (not exceeding 10oC). If the temperature is below -4oC, fresh concrete can freeze really quick. It is the responsibility of the contractor to keep fresh concrete warm until its compressive strength measurement becomes appropriate. A suitable concrete temperature and maturity meter like SmartRock can be used to do this task.

  • Using Cold Tools And Equipment

The temperature of the tools and equipment you are using to pour and cure concrete should also be as warm as the raw material. The composition and temperature can change if the tools you are using are too cold. This will have a negative impact on the strength of the concrete slab. Avoid the mistakes stated above when using concrete in cold weather and the concrete structure will be durable and beautiful.

Choose the Perfect Mixing For Your Construction Project

concrete mixing methods surrey

During the old times, when readymade products were still a far-fetched dream, the concrete mix was created with a manually done blend of cement, sand, lime and water. But times have changed, and pre-blended concrete mixes are readily available anytime. But the trick of mixing the right amount of water still lies with the builder.

concrete mixing methods

Understanding the three most important methods

Hand Mixing

The purpose of hand mixing is true to its moniker. It merely involves break the dry material blend into a big enough container, pour the adequate amount of water, and then mix by hand. A stirring tool or jiffy mixer can be used for the blending process. But it is not favoured for large-end constructions for apparent reasons. It is a slow and inconvenient process and is always in a risk of miscalculating the wet-to-dry proportion, resulting in a weaker concoction than expected.

Batch Mixing

Batch mixing is commonly seen in medium-scale constructions for blending of concrete in Surrey. The process is to make several batches of concrete mix in a day’s work by churning the dry blend and water together in a mechanised mixer basin. The amount of mix blended in one turn depends on the size of the mixer. Most commercial ones can make around 8-12 cubic feet of material at once. But it poses a limitation that is similar to hand mixing – the possibility of inadequate or excess amount of water. The measurement of water is done manually, and hence the possibility of a mismatch between two batches of the mix is very much there.

Continuous Mixing

This newer and cutting-edge option involves a mixer machine that takes care of everything, making the element of human error out of the equation. The builder or operator has to pour out the dry material into the hopper and switch on the necessary buttons. A dosing shaft automatically pushes the dry blend into the mixer and then adds pressurised water. The amount of water inflow can be adjusted from outside, which assures proportion accuracy in this method of mixing. It allows the mixture to be consistent, and once it is done, it can be transported to any location required.

Which one to choose?

The decision lies entirely on the nature of the construction. The factors that should determine your choice are:

  • Size of building: Batch mixers serves well for small to medium scale projects, while continuous mixtures are ideal for large scale projects.
  • Portability: Hand mixing is the most portable. Some batch and continuous mixers are qualified for transportation as well, though it requires logistics.
  • Power supply: Batch mixers can operate on a standard plug pin, but continuous mixers need at least a 23-Volt outlet to function. Cobra Concrete is a family-owned supplier of concrete solutions that are sustainable, cost-effective and energy-efficient. With an industry experience of over two decades, they are among the top companies that come to mind when you think of concrete solutions in Surrey.