Pouring Flat Concrete During Cold Temps

HillStreet · Dec 25, 2015

Merry Christmas to everyone, I hope you health and prosperity going forward.

I am building a new house, and it is weather tight now. The temperatures here have ranged from 30s to 70s, no freeze at all even through the night. This coming week will see a drop in temperature from low to mid 30s during the day, mid to high 20s at night.

We are scheduled to pour the floors this week, basement and garage. I know the mix will have additives, but what about heat? I know these conditions are not that extreme, but I don't have heating equipment. So, can someone comment on what I need to do or watch out for when the floors are poured?

I have poured my own floors many years ago, but I just cannot handle the physical labor anymore. Thanks.

PHPaul · Dec 25, 2015

The concrete company will know how to tweak the mix and at those temps the worst you should have to do is maybe tarp it to hold the heat from curing in. They should be able to advise on that as well.

JimRB · Dec 25, 2015

My driveway was poured Jan. 3 when we had a wicked cold front come in the night before. Wicked of course is relative. Ground froze solid and brisk winds. I think weather did not get above freezing with the pour and maybe 20's for temp. They added a bag of calcium chloride to water in a 5 gallon bucket, then dumped that in the mixing truck. The guys like to use their vibrator to shake out air entrapment. 2 or 3 years later and that concrete has had no failures.

Sprinklerman · Dec 25, 2015

They use concrete blankets to hold in the heat .

Billrog · Dec 25, 2015

The concrete finishers should have them add high early to the cement so it will generate it's own heat . If they pour early in the day it wouldn't hurt to tarp it for the night but above 20 I've never had any problems with frost.

HillStreet · Dec 29, 2015

We pour tomorrow. Concrete company came over yesterday to put concrete blankets on garage floor and front porch. Basement is closed off from weather so that will be poured too.

Again, weather has been unseasonably warm but lately it has been cold at night, and it snowed today. Tomorrow morning will be about 18F, going to 33F during the day. I do have confidence in the contractor who specializes in commercial work mostly. I do hope it gets done because we need to hang the 3 garage doors and get working in the basement.