Mortar setting when freezing temperatures forecast (-1 to - 3C)

Skipsteer · 23 Dec 2020

Hello,

We just had some brick work done to fill a small hole left by an old gas extractor fan.

Should I be worried that within 12 hours of this being done the temperature is forecast to get as low as - 1 to - 2C? It's also forecast to get as low as - 3C within 24 hours.

Could this cause any issues with the mortar not properly setting?

Thanks

^woody^ · 23 Dec 2020

The walls of a heated house won't freeze

Mag2.0 · 23 Dec 2020

Yes, i believe building standards placed various precautions when air temperatures are set to be around 3degrees and below.

Skipsteer · 23 Dec 2020

Even if its the external gable wall that was filled?
I was thinking about the external wall surface temperature.

^woody^ · 23 Dec 2020

It's the wall temperature that matters in this case.

This is what, three bricks? That will have set by the time temperatures drop anyway.

Skipsteer · 23 Dec 2020

It will only be around 3 bricks or so.

The guys are just finishing up and just checking the forecast, its currently 3C, dropping to 2C in 6 hours, 0C in 9 hours, - 1C in 11 hours, - 2C in 20 hours.

Mag2.0 · 23 Dec 2020

For a patch up job as you have described it would be less of a concern.

The guidance i was referring to is more for new construction builds.

Skipsteer · 23 Dec 2020

That's them just left. It's actually 8 bricks in total - see photo.

They seem to think it should be fine as long as not freezing by about 5pm, which it won't be.

It sounds like it should be fine though from what you guys and they have said?

I guess it will be obvious if any issues after a while if it starts crumbling away over the next few months?

Thanks

^woody^ · 23 Dec 2020

First get them to cut those snots off with the edge of the trowel.

With air temperatures, the forecast is general and there will be local differences, and micro differences around the house. The house is going to keep the wall warm, above freezing, and the mortar will have set sufficiently by the time it gets really cold in the early hours anyway

Skipsteer · 23 Dec 2020

They've left now, do you think I should ask them to come back to "cut those snots off with the edge of the trowel"?

Is that just to improve the appearance but it won't cause any other issues if they don't come back?

It's the side gable wall, which is really out of sight.

JohnD · 23 Dec 2020

If it's within reach, you can drape a tarpaulin, plastic sheet or other dry material over the patch. The wall will hold its temperature overnight but the surface might get frosted.

^woody^ · 23 Dec 2020

JohnD said:
but the surface might get frosted

How does the surface of a material that is is warmer than the air around it get frosted?

What's the gust forecast for this large sheet to cover 450x300mm of wall. Or does it require drilling and screwing the wall off a ladder up on the gable?

JohnD · 23 Dec 2020

https://www.britannica.com/science/radiation-frost

Skipsteer · 23 Dec 2020

I'm struggling to think how best I could protect it in this way without causing any damage trying to secure some kind of cover etc.

Is this more of a belts and braces suggestion, but in reality it should be fine based on the other comments?

Thanks

Tigercubrider · 23 Dec 2020

If you are worried, flatten a cardboard box/ find a flat sheet of polystyrene/ ply and get a long bit of 2x1.
Use the 2x1 at an angle to hold the flat thing against the wall. You might need to join one to the other with a bit of string.
It's probably dry by now

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Mortar setting when freezing temperatures forecast (-1 to - 3C)

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