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best time to pour concrete
- Thread starter lt1driver
- Start date
Angelfire
Well-known member
I doubt it's going to make a difference when you pour. West Texas isn't getting cold enough to cause problems. If it is below freezing, then after the pour, mist with water, cover with plastic and put insulation/blankets/hay/whatever to retain the self generated heat of the cure. As for rain, unless it's coming down very heavy, it can actually help to keep the fresh concrete moist. If it's going to dump on you, cover with plastic.
I poured a bit of concrete a few years ago in northern NM when there was 10" of snow on the ground and temps were around 15F. I did add an accelerator however....covered it up and it came out nice.
I poured a bit of concrete a few years ago in northern NM when there was 10" of snow on the ground and temps were around 15F. I did add an accelerator however....covered it up and it came out nice.
Toomanytools?
Well-known member
Best time to pour concrete...before it sets up. I second the advice of Angelfire. Are you pouring a slab or footings, what kind of building? Just curious seems most on here are doing pole buildings and you pour after building is up.
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
Anytime its not freezing...and even then.
Between floats I was talking with my concrete guy, long story short the concrete poured in 2012 isnt your fathers concrete. There are so many additives added for various reasons to allow for good concrete at any time of the year. I wouldnt worry about it.
Between floats I was talking with my concrete guy, long story short the concrete poured in 2012 isnt your fathers concrete. There are so many additives added for various reasons to allow for good concrete at any time of the year. I wouldnt worry about it.
Falcon67
Well-known member
Pour it. Concrete cure is exothermic, meaning it does it from the inside. If you are worried about cold out here - well, when is it going to be cold. It'll be in the 80s this week and mid 40s at night. I painted the shop floor in December last year in shorts.
http://www.cement.org/tech/faq_cold-weather.asp
Q: What precautions do I have to take during cold-weather concreting?
I am a contractor involved with a variety of concrete projects including commercial buildings, residential foundations and flatwork, as well as pavement and curb and gutter. The projects are located in a northern climate. I must ensure that provisions taken for cold weather conditions follow acceptable industry practice to assure a quality finished product. When should I be concerned about cold weather placement conditions and what practices should be used to achieve quality results?
A: Cold weather concreting is a common and necessary practice, and every cold weather application must be considered carefully to accommodate its unique requirements. The current American Concrete Institute definition of cold-weather concreting is when the air temperature has fallen to, or is expected to fall below 4°C (40°F) during the protection period.
Rule number ONE is that ALL concrete must be protected from freezing until it has reached a minimum strength of 3.5 MPa (500 psi), which typically happens within the first 24 hours. In addition, whenever air temperature at the time of concrete placement is below 4°C (40°F) and freezing temperatures within the first 24 hours after placement are expected, the following general issues should be considered:
(1) Adjustment of construction schedule regarding loads imposed on the new concrete structure.
(2) Placing and curing temperatures to produce quality concrete.
The exposure of concrete to cold weather will extend the time required for it to gain strength. In structures that will carry large loads at an early age, concrete must be maintained at a minimum of 10°C (50°F) to accommodate stripping of forms and shoring and to permit loading of the structure. In many cases, achieving the required durability will require a protection period of more than 24 hours. This may not be an issue with residential applications where applied loads are typically small and may be applied in small increments over several days or weeks.
In no case should concrete be allowed to freeze during the first 24 hours after it has been placed. Since cement hydration is an exothermic reaction, the concrete mixture produces some heat on its own. Protecting that heat from escaping the system may be all that is required for good concrete quality, while more severe temperatures may require supplemental heat.
More information is available from the following references:
1) ACI Committee 306, Cold-Weather Concreting, ACI306R-10, American Concrete Institute, 2010, 30 pages.
2) Cold-Weather Concreting, IS154, reprinted from Chapter 14 of Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, EB001.14, Portland Cement Association, 2002, 20 pages.
http://www.cement.org/tech/faq_cold-weather.asp
Q: What precautions do I have to take during cold-weather concreting?
I am a contractor involved with a variety of concrete projects including commercial buildings, residential foundations and flatwork, as well as pavement and curb and gutter. The projects are located in a northern climate. I must ensure that provisions taken for cold weather conditions follow acceptable industry practice to assure a quality finished product. When should I be concerned about cold weather placement conditions and what practices should be used to achieve quality results?
A: Cold weather concreting is a common and necessary practice, and every cold weather application must be considered carefully to accommodate its unique requirements. The current American Concrete Institute definition of cold-weather concreting is when the air temperature has fallen to, or is expected to fall below 4°C (40°F) during the protection period.
Rule number ONE is that ALL concrete must be protected from freezing until it has reached a minimum strength of 3.5 MPa (500 psi), which typically happens within the first 24 hours. In addition, whenever air temperature at the time of concrete placement is below 4°C (40°F) and freezing temperatures within the first 24 hours after placement are expected, the following general issues should be considered:
(1) Adjustment of construction schedule regarding loads imposed on the new concrete structure.
(2) Placing and curing temperatures to produce quality concrete.
The exposure of concrete to cold weather will extend the time required for it to gain strength. In structures that will carry large loads at an early age, concrete must be maintained at a minimum of 10°C (50°F) to accommodate stripping of forms and shoring and to permit loading of the structure. In many cases, achieving the required durability will require a protection period of more than 24 hours. This may not be an issue with residential applications where applied loads are typically small and may be applied in small increments over several days or weeks.
In no case should concrete be allowed to freeze during the first 24 hours after it has been placed. Since cement hydration is an exothermic reaction, the concrete mixture produces some heat on its own. Protecting that heat from escaping the system may be all that is required for good concrete quality, while more severe temperatures may require supplemental heat.
More information is available from the following references:
1) ACI Committee 306, Cold-Weather Concreting, ACI306R-10, American Concrete Institute, 2010, 30 pages.
2) Cold-Weather Concreting, IS154, reprinted from Chapter 14 of Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, EB001.14, Portland Cement Association, 2002, 20 pages.
Last edited:
Milton Shaw
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2011
- Messages
- 4,868
Go on and pour it. You might get a chance to work on the rest of the garage this winter. If not you will have a good place to park on-wash cars etc. I would rather have cool weather for concrete work than Texas heat and trying to keep it wet and cool for proper strength next summer/spring
5lima30
Well-known member
+1 on above freezing AND when you have PLENTY of help!
thanks for answers....build will be metal or stick, still deciding
Just a thought, but better to decide before you pour. Foundation requirements aren't necessarily the same for both.
Bob
RCStocker
Well-known member
As early as you can pour it.
Pour it as dry as you can get it and keep it wet after it is finished for as long as you can.
Wet concret will end up cracking
The sun drys it out to fast.
Make sure to soak the ground before you pour. I you use a vapro berrior with sand over it make sure the sand is wet. The dirt and sand will **** the moisture right out the concrete just like the sun. If it dry to fast and you don't have a large enoug crew it migh get away from you.
You can either work the concrete or let it work you. If you know how to tamp, float and finsh it is not hard. Early in the moring is when you will not swet your gonads off.
6 am with flood lights. LOL The finishers will kill you if you make it past 10 am
Pour it as dry as you can get it and keep it wet after it is finished for as long as you can.
Wet concret will end up cracking
The sun drys it out to fast.
Make sure to soak the ground before you pour. I you use a vapro berrior with sand over it make sure the sand is wet. The dirt and sand will **** the moisture right out the concrete just like the sun. If it dry to fast and you don't have a large enoug crew it migh get away from you.
You can either work the concrete or let it work you. If you know how to tamp, float and finsh it is not hard. Early in the moring is when you will not swet your gonads off.
6 am with flood lights. LOL The finishers will kill you if you make it past 10 am
5. Early in the morning before it gets hot
4. when you have lots of buddys over
3. when the concrete was given to you
2. on the weekend while the inspectors are off work
and the Number one answer "when is the best time to pour concrete"
When you can afford to have someone else can do it for you.
Honestly, Im have always been told above freezeing and to cover it if there is a chance of rain.
Godspeed
MrC.
4. when you have lots of buddys over
3. when the concrete was given to you
2. on the weekend while the inspectors are off work
and the Number one answer "when is the best time to pour concrete"
When you can afford to have someone else can do it for you.
Honestly, Im have always been told above freezeing and to cover it if there is a chance of rain.
Godspeed
MrC.