As a northeast Ohio concrete contractor, just as with all the other concrete companies in cold weather states, overcoming the many challenges the winter weather presents must be planned for in order to get the job done right, with its best look, and most importantly – maximizing the concrete’s strength.
When pouring concrete in the cold it gains strength more slowly & if it’s too cold, it basically will not cure properly, if at all. Should the water freeze it can create irreversible detrimental damage to the appearance and strength of the concrete.
For the best results for any concrete construction project, especially those that are more complexed or nuanced, we would recommend working with a proven concrete company near you. For those in Cuyahoga County, Lorain County, and Erie County, Ohio we at Paraprin Construction would be honored to be your trusted choice for all your concrete needs.
However, for the do-it-yourself’ers out there – we understand and respect your approach too, so we sat down with our Director of Concrete Services, Keith Oberg Sr., to discuss his best practices for pouring concrete in the cold and here they are.
#1) Prep your base! You don NOT want to pour into a frozen or frosted over bed, so make sure it’s thawed before you pour concrete. Once the base is prepped covering with a blanket will help prevent freezing, keep the frost out, and ensure your project is ready to go.
#2) Keep an eye on the forecast and make sure the temperature will be above freezing (32F) or slightly below before firing up your concrete mixer. This is vitally important to the successful completion of your project. Concrete must be able to support 500lb psi before it can be covered and prepped for the frost & remember, as previously discussed, cold weather slows the curing & strengthening process which severely damages your concrete & its utility.
#3) Once you’ve prepped your bed & planned for a day with good enough weather to pour concrete, make sure your work site is prepared with all supplies, materials, tools, and equipment ready to go. Stopping the work once you begin for trips to the local home improvement store are discouraged as time is of the essence when pouring concrete in the cold.
#4) Once poured take these two steps to protect it from ill effects of the cold such as concrete cracking and improper curing by:
- If you’re working on a project large enough to require concrete cutting, such as a driveway, sidewalk, or stamped concrete patio, make sure you are patient to cut on a day that’s not too cold (above freezing recommended) so that joints don’t ravel & in the meantime, cut smaller relief joints to prevent cracking & other damage from the cold.
- Keeping the 500lb psi rule in mind, once its ready, cover the concrete with a blanket or another object that will keep it shielded from the elements without damaging the newly poured concrete.
Paraprin Construction, serving the great folks of northeast Ohio and greater Cleveland is your trusted source for all of your concrete needs. With numerous stamped concrete patterns, we can help build you the backyard of your dreams and for any other project from concrete retaining walls to driveway repair, new home construction, concrete floors and more – our team will execute your project with the quality, consistency, craftsmanship and first-class customer service that only a crew with 30-years-plus experience can provide.
And if your concrete project includes the need for landscaping services, Paraprin Construction is your one-stop-shop to totally transform the look of your home or business. Learn more about our landscaping services here.
For general inquiries, to set up an appointment, or request a quote please call or text:
440.523.8254
