Tips for Curing Concrete in Cold Weather

Are you currently prepping for a big construction project?

If so, you obviously have plenty of work ahead of you. This includes hiring the best general contractor possible, finding great subs, and understanding how to produce the best end results with your building materials. 

For example, your team needs to know the steps for curing concrete so that your sidewalks, garage floors, and concrete driveways will turn out as smooth and solid as possible. Fortunately, this article can help.

Here we take a look at tips for curing your concrete surfaces during cold weather. Keep reading to learn more. 

Thaw the Ground Before Pouring

Let’s start by discussing the importance of thawing the ground. After all, when the ground is frozen, the cement won’t cure properly. 

This is especially true when there’s ice or snow on the ground. The key to dealing with these conditions is to place heaters in the area where you’re planning to pour.

This requires planning ahead, checking the forecast, and setting up the heaters early enough to give the ground adequate time to thaw before prepping the cement mixture.

Use Hot Water

The next thing to consider is the water used for the mix. Using cold water will significantly slow down the curing process, especially during the chilly months of winter when temperatures are extremely cold.

Keep in mind that your concrete mix must maintain a temperature above 50 °F for at least 48 hours for the chemical reaction to complete. Thus you should start the mix as close to your pour schedule as possible so the water won’t have time to cool off.

Keep Your Materials Warm and Dry

On most job sites, the materials are delivered days or weeks prior to pouring the concrete. This means the materials need to be stored someplace warm and dry so they’ll be ready for use.

Keep everything in a covered shed or heated building whenever possible. It’s also a good idea to cover the materials with plastic to hold the heat in until you’re ready to mix and pour.

Add Materials That Will Accelerate the Set Time

You can also use additives that will help the concrete mix set faster. These accelerants will help speed up the curing process and produce superior results when it’s super cold outside. This is a trick that professional concrete services use.

Don’t Remove the Framework Too Soon

It’s also important to leave the framework up as long as possible. This will provide much-needed support so that the surface won’t collapse while curing. 

The key is to keep a close eye on the surface and make sure it has reached the desired strength before removing any pieces of the framework. 

A Guide to Curing Concrete in the Cold

It’s no secret that major construction projects require a ton of planning and hard work. This is especially true when the weather turns cold. Fortunately, these tips for curing concrete during the winter months will help make the process a bit less stressful.

Please feel free to contact us today to learn how we can help make your next building project a big success.