It is not an easy task to do concrete work in this world where the weather changes all the time and can be quite unpredictable. Being in charge of a project where fresh concrete is placed means that you have to be prepared for whatever the weather throws at you.
So how can you protect the concrete from different weather conditions? In this article we will explain how to protect concrete from rain and frost. These are two very common issues when it comes to concreting. Which is why we have gathered all the information you need to save your concrete work from unnecessary damage.
Read more: Learn more about the long term effects of hot weather and cold weather on concrete.
Both rain and frost can have negative effects on freshly poured concrete. Rain can compromise the concrete mix ratio which will weaken the concrete. Frost during the first 24 hours since placing the concrete will also compromise the strength of concrete.
If you wanna learn more about what happens when concrete freezes and how to place concrete in rainy weather you should check out our articles.
There are some important steps to take before concreting during a particularly rainy season. These will help ensure that you are always prepared and will also minimize the risk of having to redo any work.
There are two things you can do to protect the concrete if it were to start raining in the middle of placing the fresh concrete.
If you managed to get all the work done and the fresh concrete is now in its place, the last thing you want is for a sudden downpour to ruin it all. To avoid that possibility, here are some things you can do.
Read more: Read up on underwater concreting, concreting in humid climates and how to pour concrete in freezing conditions.
In order to give the concrete a chance to reach its full strength, and get the best possible outcome you should prepare the worksite by following these steps.
If the temperature drops down right before or during the concreting process it is important to act quickly to minimize potential damage.
There are many different methods to make sure the freshly poured concrete stays warm during the entire curing process. Choose one or many that will work for you.
Read more: We help you figure out what weather is best for concreting and give you our best tips for concreting in hot weather.
Concrete should preferably be kept at a temperature above 10C. This means that if the temperature is lower than 10 it would be a good idea to cover it up. However, it is even more important to cover up if the temperature drops below freezing.
Yes, it is a good idea to cover concrete with plastic in cold weather to restore the heat while the concrete continues to cure.
The goal is to keep the concrete wet for the entirety of the curing process. This process takes about 28 days during which the concrete develops its strength.
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