Pouring Concrete in Cold Weather: Essential Tips and Tricks

The pouring, pumping and curing process is critical for the overall strength and durability of the material. Pouring concrete in cold weather can be tricky because it creates several challenges. From delayed curing to cracking and frost damage, there are a few things you need to be aware of.

If you are heading into the phase of pouring concrete for your project this winter, you don't need to worry. There are some tips and tricks you can use to make sure the process goes smoothly and prevent long-term damage during it.

At 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping, we have been mixing and pumping concrete all year round for a number of years, experiencing all kinds of weather while we do it. While there are times when it is just too cold to do anything, we will always try to find ways to combat the weather and deliver your concrete. Our time doing this has taught us several tips and tricks that we now use in the cold weather to ensure we are providing a first-class service.

In this blog, we share our tips and tricks for pouring concrete in cold weather.

The Effects of Cold Weather on Concrete

Before diving into our tips, you need to understand the impact cold weather will have on your concrete.

The ideal temperature for pouring concrete is generally 5°C and above. If it is less than that, special measures are likely to be needed so that the lower temperatures don't impact the curing of concrete.

Cold temperatures slow down the hydration process. This is the chemical process between the water and the cement, which hardens the concrete. If this is slow, it will impact the strength of the cured material.

Pouring concrete in cold weather can also increase the risk of it cracking. As water freezes, it expands, and if this happens during the curing process, it can put internal pressure on the mix. This causes microcracks, which will compromise the strength of the concrete and make it more likely for external factors to damage it.

Luckily, there are tricks you can put in place to try and reduce the risk of these happening.  

Tips and Techniques for Pouring Concrete in Cold Weather

Below are a few things that can be used to give your concrete the best chance at curing properly and gaining the strength you need from it in cold weather.

Use Cold-Weather Concrete Mixes and Additives

You can opt to use a concrete mix that is designed for pouring in cold weather. These typically have calcium chloride in them, which accelerates setting time and reduces freeze risks.

Where appropriate, you can add other additives, such as anti-freeze admixtures, to prevent the mixture from freezing during curing.

Prepare the Ground

Preparation is key, especially when pouring concrete in cold weather.

In this case, the preparation is warming up the ground - sounds weird, we know, but it makes a difference.

Pouring concrete onto frozen ground often leads to cracks or instability in the concrete. Think about it like this, we don't like putting our bare feet on a cold surface, and neither does concrete.

You can use heaters or thermal blankets to warm the ground before the concrete is poured.

Protect Concrete with Insulating Blankets and Covers

Once the concrete is poured, you will need to protect it from the chill in the air and snow.

This simply means covering the area with insulated blankets, plastic sheeting or straw so that the concrete isn't exposed to frost or snow.

It is particularly important to do this overnight when the temperatures drop.

Use Heated Enclosures and Portable Heaters

Another tip used when pouring concrete in cold weather is to set up temporary heat enclosures. These allow you to control the environment, specifically the temperature around the concrete, to produce the ideal temperature for curing.

While this solution offers many benefits and reduces the risk of cracking and improper curing, it can pose a fire hazard, so this needs to be taken into account if you are considering using this method.

The Benefits of Pouring Concrete in Cold Weather

Despite the fact that pouring concrete in cold weather can complicate things at times, there are some benefits to working with concrete in cold weather.

Advantages can be:

• Less downtime waiting for hot weather means projects stay on schedule.
• Reduced competition for resources, as fewer projects occur in colder months.
• Potential for lower costs on some materials and labour due to the off-peak season.

Pouring Concrete in Cold Weather with 2 Brothers

Pouring concrete in cold weather can slow down the curing process and increase the chances of it cracking, risking a reduction in strength.

However, by preparing the ground, protecting the concrete with thermal blankets or creating a heated temporary enclosure, you can decrease the impact of the cold temperatures on the curing process and concrete's strength.

If you are working on a project and it looks like you will need to pour concrete in the cold weather, don't stress about it. 2 Brothers Concrete & Pumping can help you.

We have a combined 25 years of experience in producing mix-on-site concrete and pumping it through boom or line pumps in winter. Our team is able to help advise and guide you through the preparation for a concrete delivery in the cold and talk you through what you need to help the curing process.

Our pumping service means we will swiftly get your concrete mixture to your site easily, reducing the need for manual labour in cold weather.

Needing concrete this winter? Give our friendly team a call to discuss how to reduce the impact of the cooler weather and learn how we can help you. Call us on 01489 552737 or complete our online contact form, and we will give you a callback.