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Concreting in this weather?

  • 01-12-2010 6:11pm
    #1
    robd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 951 ✭✭✭


    Ok. So for historic sense, it's 1st Dec 2010 and it's currently 0C out.

    I installed a new heating system and was hoping to construct a small shed out of 4" blocks with a concrete foundation to put the oil boiler in. Also foundation and base for tank. All materials bought and on site.

    Stuck with the weather. From my investigations it really needs to be +5C or above for concrete and mortar to set properly.

    Found various instructions related to using heating concrete and insulation blanket on top etc. to get foundation to set.

    For a novice like me, waiting till weather improves seems the best option as to complicated and risk of problems if I don't.

    Catch 22 is house is freezing but I need it to heat up outside before I can get my heating finished.

    Any thoughts etc. ?


Comments

  • #2
    LoTwan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 608 ✭✭✭LoTwan


    My groundswork guy won't pour when it is this cold... so I am waiting it out :(


  • #3
    Dupont
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 950 ✭✭✭Dupont


    was concreting on wednesday and thursday last week it was freezing bad with us. on thursday morning the concrete that was put down the day before had not set fully. i know concrete wont set hard in cold weather over night but if u rubbed the concrete with your hand the fat would be on your hand:eek: at least we will get to do the yard again in a couple years time:rolleyes: the frost will usually blow the surface of the concrete but with a foundation i dont think it would be too bad if its for a garage but if it was mine and i wasnt in a mad panic i would wait


  • #4
    FesterBeatty
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 406 ✭✭FesterBeatty


    Simple answer - don't pour concrete if the temperature is below 5 degrees. You can push this to an absolute limit of 3 degrees if absolutely necessary - however you should note that the concrete must remain at this temperature for at least 24 hours. If you fail to do this (and you will given the current weather conditions) the water within the mixture will begin to freeze and therefore expand which will obviously result in a poor, unsightly concrete finish but may also lead to structural complications further down the line.

    There are ways to ensure the concrete is kept at a reasonable temperature using various electric blanket products etc, but i doubt this will be an economical solution to your problem. None of the sites I'm involved with are pouring at the moment and I suggest that you dont either.


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