At Doncaster Quickmix, we’re commonly asked the question “What is the best temperature to pour concrete”. Many people are concerned about this because if you pour concrete when temperatures are too low, you could damage it. At Doncaster Quickmix, we are always here for you when you need concrete in Doncaster or Rotherham. Read on to find out more about the temperature requirements for pouring concrete.
It’s normally best to pour concrete when temperatures are above 5ºC, especially if it is yet to achieve a strength of 2 N/mm2 which makes it less vulnerable to damage. It’s vital to take extra care when you are pouring concrete in cold weather. If fresh concrete is able to cool below freezing point, it may become unfit to use. Even if temperatures don’t fall below zero when you’re pouring concrete, the material will still take longer to build up strength in comparison to the warmer months of the year.
When you’re working with concrete in colder weather, you need to not only think about the ambient air temperature but the temperature of the concrete at the time of delivery. If fresh concrete cools before 0ºC, the water in the mix is likely to freeze and expand. In many cases, this is so damaging that the concrete is no longer useful and requires removal. However, the concrete could be salvageable if it’s reached a strength of around 2 N/mm2. If the concrete is kept at a minimum of 5ºC before the pouring process begins, it could reach this strength within around 48 hours. Nonetheless, the process of developing additional strength will still be slower in cold weather.
Once the concrete has been mixed, it needs to be kept at a strength of at least 5ºC for the first 48 hours. After this point, it should be able to develop sufficient strength. If the ambient temperature is below 5ºC but doesn’t fall below freezing and there is no frost, it’s less likely that the concrete will be damaged. However, it will take longer for it to develop the strength it needs to be useful.
It’s vital to protect concrete from freezing. When concrete arrives at a site, the temperature should be no less than 5ºC. However, if the concrete does arrive on your site at a lower temperature, you may be able to protect it with frost blankets until it is ready to use.
There is no need to avoid pouring concrete during the winter months altogether. You may just need to take additional measures to protect concrete during cold weather. Make sure fresh concrete isn’t left to harden or cure in freezing temperatures. If you do need to pour concrete in cold weather, the best step to take is to protect fresh weather from the low temperatures until it has reached the initial strength of 2 N/mm². This makes it easier for the concrete to resist the expansion of the freezing weather. Just remember that the cold weather will slow down the curing process even if it has reached the initial strength required. This explains why projects involving concrete can take longer during the winter months.
If there has been a light frost overnight, you can cover and protect frost from forming in or on your concrete. Thick polythene or tarpaulin can protect concrete in these circumstances. Timber is a natural insulator, but additional insulated formwork and special frost blankets can also be beneficial. Maybe your concrete structure has columns or beams? If so, you should cover or wrap these where possible. You can also use space heaters can also be used in internal structures. It can also be beneficial to opt for concrete and concrete suppliers in Doncaster and Rotherham that offer concrete that’s been freshly batched and mixed on-site for immediate pouring as this gives the temperature of the mix less time to fall.
Now you know more about what is the best temperature to pour concrete, you may be wondering who to choose for concrete suppliers in Doncaster and Rotherham. At Doncaster Quickmix, we are always here for you whenever you need quality concrete in South Yorkshire. We are one of the area’s leading local concrete suppliers offering fast delivery when you need it. As we are readymix concrete specialists, you can count on us to provide exceptional concrete at the best prices. The concrete that we supply meets BS8500 standards, and we have access to our very own fully automated batching plant. We are here to supply readymix concrete which meets your specific requirements.
We have been a top supplier of concrete since way back in 2011. Our client network consists of a wide range of businesses and individuals. We can provide you with the concrete you need even at short notice. Whether you want to collect your concrete from our site or pick it up yourself, we can help. No matter what project you’re currently working on, we are confident we can supply the best concrete for your needs. Our concrete is ideal for everything from small DIY jobs to the construction of large commercial car parks. There’s also a convenient concrete calculator on our site which simplifies the ordering process.
If you’re still not sure what is the right temperature for pouring concrete, or you wish to place an order, get in touch. Call us on 01302 972997 or 01709 807977 to talk to our team. Alternatively, complete the form on our site and we’ll respond as quickly as we can.
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