For concrete to remain strong and durable, it must be properly cared for after pouring. Taking the right precautions can have a big impact on the result, whether you’re working in the summer or the winter. Every season brings with it a unique set of difficulties, but with the appropriate strategies, you can conquer them and get the greatest outcomes.
The main issue in the summertime is the water in the concrete mix evaporating too quickly. Elevated temperatures have the potential to accelerate the drying of concrete, resulting in fractures and a weakened structure. It’s crucial to keep the concrete cool and damp to avoid this. Retaining moisture can be achieved by frequently misting the surface with water and covering it with a moist cloth or plastic sheet.
Conversely, during winter there’s a chance that the concrete will freeze before it solidifies. Concrete can become weakened and the curing process stopped by freezing temperatures. Maintaining the mix’s warmth is crucial for its protection. To keep the required temperature, use heated enclosures or insulated blankets. To further protect against the cold, using a concrete mix that contains antifreeze additives can be beneficial.
These guidelines for maintaining your concrete mix will help guarantee a sturdy, long-lasting finish, regardless of the season. Concrete has different needs in the summer and winter. By knowing these differences, you can protect your project and get the best results.
- Why do you need care for concrete mix?
- Care rules
- Summer care
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Why do you need care for concrete mix?
Proper hydration, or the mixture hardening process, requires maintenance of the concrete after it has been poured. On the product, you will be able to identify areas that are defective if the building material solidifies quickly or takes a long time to solidify. The strength of the concrete will decrease if the hydration process is interfered with, even in the absence of visible damage such as cracks. It will open itself up to chemical and mechanical effects.
For concrete to remain strong and durable, proper maintenance is required both in the summer and the winter. In order to stop the concrete from drying out and cracking quickly in the summer, it must be kept cool and damp. To prevent frost damage in the winter, it is essential to shield the concrete from below-freezing temperatures. Your concrete mix will last longer and be of higher quality if you just follow a few basic guidelines, such as keeping the appropriate temperature, making sure the right amount of moisture is present, and applying protective coverings.
Care rules
The concrete mixture must be properly prepared for the structure to meet all requirements. Even in a dedicated mixer, it is not advised to keep building materials on hand for an extended period of time. Once mixed, the mixture should be used right away.
For the solution to solidify properly, the average daily air temperature cannot be lower than +5°C.
Waterproofing should be installed if the concrete structure—such as a foundation—is meant to be made on the ground and cannot be removed by groundwater. If not, there could be a disruption in the hardening process.
As soon as the concrete is poured, care must be taken. It is essential to check the structure for flaws such as leaks, unevenness, and other issues that could result in a product that is deformed.
The strength of the material should progressively increase. Optimal humidity and temperature conditions must be created for this process to work correctly. It is advised to cover the mixture with polyethylene film after pouring. It will stop the solution from drying out too soon. For instance, after 60 to 90 minutes, if the structure rapidly loses moisture, you should inspect the formwork for integrity.
The concrete mixture will be able to harden uniformly thanks to polyethylene film. Should you decide not to use it, the structure’s upper layer will dry more quickly and exert pressure on the delicate base.
You should wet the concrete to stop surface cracks from forming, as these will eventually deepen. Water the foundation 8 to 10 hours after pouring. You can use a hose and tap water for this.
A system of pipes with tiny holes is what you should use to water vertical structures or surfaces that are steeply inclined. The product needs to be continuously irrigated through them. Using burlap or sawdust to cover the concrete is an additional method. These materials will hold moisture for a longer period of time and decrease the percentage of evaporation if they are wet.
The concrete structure cannot be wetted when the outside temperature falls below +5°C. It has a polyethylene film covering on top, and on top of that is a heat-insulating material like mineral wool.
Concrete takes a month to reach its peak strength, but during the first three days, certain physical characteristics change. Starting the formwork stripping process no earlier than three to four days is advised. The way that concrete is maintained in the summer and the winter is different.
Summer care
During the summer, concrete care is done based on the weather. Working in hot weather is not advised. The best times to pour the solution are in the morning or the evening, once the ambient temperature has dropped and the amount of sunlight has decreased. In the event that construction cannot be completed at a convenient time, the concrete can be shielded from the sun by slate, roofing felt, or polyethylene film.
It is important to make sure that precipitation does not leave holes on the surface when it is raining. A reduction in the product’s strength may result from washing the mixture away with rainwater prior to the setting process (this violates the solution’s percentage ratio). Because of this, if protecting the structure from precipitation is not an option, concreting is not advised.
Every ten hours, the structure can be watered if there is no strong wind and a moderate amount of solar activity. Reduce the amount of time between waterings if the surface dries out quickly. It is advised to water the structure at night so as not to interfere with the hardening process.
Plasticizers can be utilized when pouring cement mortar onto a foundation or other object. These are compounds that aid in preserving the mixture’s necessary moisture content. Plasticizers should therefore be added to concrete to ensure trouble-free summertime maintenance. They also enhance the structure’s other strength-related features.
| Proper Care of Concrete After Pouring in Summer | Proper Care of Concrete After Pouring in Winter |
| Keep the concrete moist by spraying water regularly. | Cover the concrete with insulating blankets to retain heat. |
| Use a curing compound to prevent rapid water loss. | Use heated enclosures to maintain the proper temperature. |
| Shade the concrete to protect it from direct sunlight. | Avoid using deicing chemicals that can damage the surface. |
| Avoid walking on the surface for at least 24 hours. | Remove snow and ice carefully without using metal tools. |
For concrete to remain strong and durable—especially in harsh weather—it must be properly cared for after it is poured. Summertime temperatures can cause concrete to dry too quickly, which can cause it to weaken and crack. It’s crucial to keep the concrete moist by frequently misting it with water or covering it with damp burlap in order to avoid this. Maintaining the appropriate moisture levels in the concrete can also be aided by shading it from direct sunlight.
The difficulties are different in the winter. Cold weather can weaken the integrity of concrete by delaying the curing process or possibly causing it to freeze. It is crucial to use heated enclosures or insulating blankets to keep the curing temperature of concrete at a suitable level during the winter. Extra protection can also be obtained by using a concrete mix that contains additives that increase the material’s resistance to cold.
By adhering to these maintenance procedures, concrete is more likely to perform well over time and reach its maximum strength. A crucial component of any building project is protecting and nurturing concrete during its initial curing phase, regardless of the weather—summer heat or winter cold. You can create a concrete structure that is more dependable and long-lasting by paying attention to these little details.
