San Leandro Concrete Pouring

When is the right time for concrete pouring? If you live in a region that has mild weather throughout the year, you can pout at any time of the year. On the other hand, if your area experiences extreme temperature, you may need to wait until spring to pour concrete.

Any weather between 50 and 60 degrees is ideal for pouring concrete. In weather is below 50 degrees, the chemical reaction that causes the setting and strengthening of concrete is significantly impacted. It becomes almost impossible when the temperature falls below 40 degrees. And even when the daily temperature looks ideal, the concrete setting in winter creates risks that cause weak and inadequate concrete.

Where the temperature at night goes below freezing point, this will cause the water in concrete to freeze and expand, resulting in cracking. When the temperature goes below 40 degrees, when setting, the concrete will take longer to reach the desired strength. But when the correct measures are put in place, it is possible to place concrete during the cold months.

Contact SL Concrete and Masonry on  (510) 851-8260 for the best concrete services. We have a team of experts for your constructional needs including concrete pouring in San Leandro.

Factors to Consider in Cold Weather Concreting

Before starting your concrete pouring in cold weather, you need to consider if there are any special strength considerations or requirements. One of the biggest challenges you will face during winter concrete pouring is to ensure that the concrete setting happens before it can get exposed to the freezing temperature. Here are ideas to minimize the challenge:

• Frozen snow, ice, or ground should be thawed with heat
• Mix cement with hot water
• Dry material should be kept in a warm area
• Use only products that set fast. In cold weather, the products may not set fast as per the instructions
• Use additives to help enhance set time. Remember that additives containing calcium chloride will cause metal wire mesh and be rebar in concrete to rust, which causes concrete cracking
•  Wait until bleed water evaporates. When you do concrete finishing when water is still on the surface, you will end up with a weak surface.
• Ensure that concrete reaches the required strength before you remove the framework. If you remove too early, this could destroy the surface.

How to Maintain the Right Temperature

Once you have put these measures in place, you will need to consider how to keep the right temperature when doing curing. When it comes to curing concrete in cold weather, you will have two options. One involves using an enclosure that is water and windproof. Again, there should be enough ventilation for a space heater. Heaters will increase the amount of carbon dioxide causing carbonation to occur on the concrete surface.

Another option is the use of power blanket concrete blankets. This is a great and effective choice for getting and maintaining the right temperature during concrete pouring. It works by thawing the ground before pouring. After pouring, it prevents concrete from freezing. Using a power blanket, you can ensure that the right temperature for the concrete reaction is maintained. This way, you easily reach the desired concrete strength.

If you are wondering if you can pour concrete during cold weather, all you will need is an experienced concrete contractor.

If you need one, contact SL Concrete and Masonry on  (510) 851-8260 for free estimates.