Pouring Concrete in the Winter or Cold Temps
One of the most common questions we receive is can you pour concrete in the winter?
The answer is YES!
Concrete can be successfully poured and placed in cold weather conditions. We take precautions to eliminate the problems associated with low-temperatures, just as we do pouring in the hotter temperatures. Precautions such as; Mix design, insulated blankets, Thermometer testing of the concrete and subgrade, hot water, air entrained concrete, calcium chloride and non chloride. Done properly, concrete poured in cool weather is actually stronger than concrete poured in hot weather, thanks to the slow curing period.
The American Concrete Institute’s (ACI) definition of cold-weather concreting under ACI 306 is a period when for more than three successive days the average daily air temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and stays below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for more than one-half of any 24-hour period.
Many times having concrete done in the winter months is more affordable. Stains from insulated blankets (marbling affect) are possible and many people never really notice the slight discolorations. Overall there are many benefits to pouring in the winter and just a few extra precautions needed to pour.
Some steps we take to pour in winter
1- Using air entrained concrete
2- Winter/Cold weather specific mix designs( Type I cement can be replaced with Type III cements which hydrates at a faster rate)
3-Admixtures such as calcium chloride, calcium chloride, microfibers, hot water
4-Insulated concrete blankets( hold heat to keep ground thawed and allow proper curing of the concrete)
5- Infrared Thermometer ( we take temperatures of the concrete, subgrade multiple times throughout the pouring and curing process)
Dirty Boys Concrete, LLC
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